4 Light Vegan Summer Salads

Summer is just around the corner and with it comes endless sunny days, barbecues, and beach outings. To stay refreshed and energized on those long summer days, we’ve chosen some of our favorite summer salads that not only taste great but are great for you as well. All of these healthy salad recipes can be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike, no matter what your food preferences or allergies. Say goodbye to bland and boring salads and say hello to your new favorite summer treat.

Lemon Mint Freekeh Salad

Though it may seem hard to pronounce this lemon mint freekeh salad, is incredibly easy to make. With fresh herbs and healthy ingredients, this salad can be made in under 15 minutes and works well as a side dish or main plate. Health lovers gather round, because organic cracked freekeh has been deemed the next up and coming super grain. Not only is it packed with vitamins and nutrients, but it's also low in fat and high in protein and fiber. For individuals worried about how freekeh might taste, if you enjoy quinoa then you’ll likely love it, as they are similar in taste and texture! Gluten free? Try using quinoa in place of freekeh.

Summer Spring Roll Salad

While spring rolls taste amazing, they can sometimes be tricky to make, especially when you are on the go. With this delicious spring roll salad recipe you can enjoy all the fresh flavors of regular spring rolls with a tiny twist--you swap rolls for a salad. By using hulled millet and fresh vegetables, you can easily create a spring roll bowl that’s high in fiber and a handful of other nutrients that are bound to keep you feeling energized all day long. Plus, because hulled millet is a gluten free grain, this recipe is safe for those living a gluten free lifestyle. But it doesn’t stop there, this spring roll salad is also lactose-free and vegan too!

Apricot Quinoa Summer Salad

[caption id="attachment_1160553" align="alignnone" width="770"] NutritionStripped.com[/caption] If you’re searching for a salad that’s both sweet and tangy to add to the table this summer, then this recipe is for you! The celebrated diet and nutritionist from Nutrition Stripped complement the sweet flavors of apricots with tart citrus flavors to create a delicious, satisfying salad everyone can enjoy. The versatile flavors of quinoa preserve the flavor of this salad while also adding protein and numerous other nutrients. This summer salad will not only leave your guests raving about the flavor, but they’ll feel full and satisfied afterward.

Green Goddess Summer Salad

This green goddess summer salad lives up to its name and so much more. Made with just four all natural ingredients and topped with avocado cilantro dressing, this healthy salad is a green dream come true. Your taste buds will love the flavor, and you’ll love knowing that wholesome, and healthy ingredients can taste this good. With quinoa as a protein-rich base, Pinch of Yum tops this salad with a rainbow of veggies and her incredible avocado dressing. It’s important to note that while the avocado dressing is not vegan, the recipe provides a vegan dressing option, making this the perfect quinoa salad for just about anyone! Share your go-to summer salads in the comments below!