This Vegan Southwest Salad is packed with bold Tex-Mex flavors. With classic veggies, seitan chicken, and a creamy vegan chipotle ranch dressing.
I've been on a mission lately to create some hearty vegan salads that are protein packed and solid enough to eat as a real meal. This vegan southwest salad is one of those!
It's full of classic southwest flavors like beans and tortilla strips. And topped with my vegan seitan chicken (or your preferred protein). Then for the ultimate spicy, smoky flavor, a generous drizzle of my vegan chipotle ranch dressing.
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What Is Southwest Salad?
Southwest salad is inspired by the bold flavors of the American Southwest.
The salad typically features romaine, avocado, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and tortilla strips.
My vegan version swaps in plant-based protein (seitan chicken!) and a creamy vegan chipotle ranch that brings a delightful smoky flavor.
Why You'll Love This Vegan Southwest Salad
- Protein packed - this salad has 37g of protein per serving!
- Hearty & filling - packed with protein AND fiber!
- Bold flavor - chipotle ranch ties everything together with smoky spice.
- Colorful & fresh - loaded with crisp veggies, avocado, and crunchy tortilla strips
- Salad that's a meal - hearty enough for lunch or dinner. And great for meal prep!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Vegan Chicken: I used my Vegan Seitan Chicken which is my go-to recipe for vegan chicken. It's made from vital wheat gluten which is super high in protein, and spices that mimic the flavor of real chicken. If you don't want to make seitan (though mine is no-boil) or are gluten-free feel free to use a store bought vegan chicken like Abbot's or sub with some sautéed tofu or tempeh.
- Lettuce: I used romaine, but feel free to use your favorite greens
- Black Beans: feel free to use pinto beans
- Tortilla Strips: you can use store-bought tortilla strips (often found in the produce section, not the chip aisle) or make my homemade version or follow my instructions for oil-free tortilla chips and cut the tortillas into strips instead of triangles
- Corn: I used frozen corn - which tends to not have added sugar. But feel free to also use canned or fresh if it's available.
- Cherry Tomatoes: or dice a roma
- Avocados
- Bell Pepper
- Red Onion
- Green Onions
- Cilantro
- Dressing: I used my vegan chipotle ranch dressing for some true chipotle southwest flavor. You can adjust the spice level to your liking. If you don't like spice at all you can make my plain vegan ranch.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the seitan chicken or your protein of choice.
Step 2. Make the vegan chipotle ranch dressing or vegan ranch dressing.
Step 3. Assemble the salad. Start with a bed of romaine. Place all the vegetables, beans, and tortilla strips in groups around the platter. Top with the seitan chicken, then drizzle with the ranch. Garnish with the chopped fresh cilantro.
FAQ & Expert Tips
It's as spicy as you make the dressing. The main ingredients in the salad are not spicy.
The chipotles in the ranch are spicy. I find the dressing to be appropriately spicy, but not overly so. Feel free to use only one chipotle in the dressing for less spice. Or make my regular vegan ranch instead!
Yes! It's great for meal prep. Store the tortilla strips and dressing in separate containers from the rest of the ingredients. Everything else can be packed together!
This salad is naturally oil free if you make your own tortilla strips. Follow my step-by-step instructions for oil-free tortilla chips and cut the tortillas into strips instead of triangles.
Yes! Personally I enjoy the salad best cold, but it is quite tasty when warm. You can warm both the beans and seitan in the oven or microwave.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this salad that nourishes our bodies. Allow this meal to keep us strong and healthy. Amen.
More hearty vegan salads
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Southwest Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Recipe Vegan Seitan Chicken
- 1 Head Romaine Lettuce
- 1 15 Ounce Black Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 Cup Tortilla Strips make my homemade version or buy a store bought brand
- 1 Cup Corn I used frozen corn
- 1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes halved or quartered
- 2 Medium Avocados
- 1 Medium Bell Pepper sliced into short strips
- 1 Small Red Onion sliced
- 1 Bunch Green Onions Sliced
- ¼ Cup Chopped Cilantro
- 1 Recipe Vegan Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the seitan chicken or your protein of choice.
- Make the vegan chipotle ranch dressing or vegan ranch dressing.
- Assemble the salad. Start with a bed of romaine. Place all the vegetables, beans, and tortilla strips in groups around the platter. Top with the seitan chicken, then drizzle with the ranch. Garnish with the chopped fresh cilantro.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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