Chard Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh and Easy Ideas

Looking for a fresh, vibrant, and nourishing salad to brighten up your meals? This vegan chard salad recipe is a perfect choice!

Swiss chard is a nutrient-dense leafy green that packs a punch with its beautiful colors and slightly earthy taste. When combined with crunchy veggies, zesty dressings, and a touch of sweetness, it transforms into a delightful dish that’s both satisfying and healthy.

Whether you’re new to vegan cooking or a seasoned plant-based foodie, this recipe is simple to prepare and versatile enough to serve as a side or a light main course.

Chard salad also offers a wonderful way to incorporate more greens into your diet, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, it’s incredibly adaptable—feel free to add your favorite nuts, seeds, or fruits for added texture and flavor.

Ready to impress your taste buds and add a splash of color to your plate? Let’s dive into this delicious vegan chard salad recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan chard salad is a fantastic way to enjoy leafy greens in a fresh and flavorful form. It’s quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weekdays or casual gatherings.

The combination of tender chard leaves with crunchy veggies and a tangy dressing creates a balanced and satisfying salad.

Not only is this recipe vegan and plant-based, but it’s also packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamin K, vitamin A, and antioxidants. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfect for anyone looking to eat cleaner without sacrificing taste.

Plus, the recipe is highly customizable—you can swap ingredients or add extras to suit your preferences.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Harvest Hash Recipe: A Delicious and Easy Fall Comfort Food or the bright and zesty Lemon Ricotta Pasta With Arugula Recipe for more plant-based delights.

Ingredients

• 4 cups Swiss chard leaves, washed and chopped (stems removed or finely chopped separately)
• 1 medium carrot, julienned or grated
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for extra tang

Equipment

• Large salad bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Small mixing bowl or jar for dressing
• Whisk or fork
• Measuring spoons
• Salad tongs or large spoon

Instructions

1. Prepare the chard: Rinse the Swiss chard thoroughly under cold water to remove any grit. Remove the stems by cutting them away from the leaves. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. If you like, finely chop the stems and add them to the salad for extra crunch.
2. Prepare the veggies: Peel and julienne or grate the carrot. Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion. Dice the avocado just before assembling to keep it fresh.
3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and optional Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the balance of flavors as desired—more lemon for tang, more syrup for sweetness.
4. Toast the nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts or pecans for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Let cool slightly.
5. Assemble the salad: In the large salad bowl, combine chopped chard leaves, carrot, tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all ingredients evenly.
6. Add toppings: Sprinkle toasted nuts and dried cranberries over the salad. Gently fold in the diced avocado last to avoid mashing.
7. Serve immediately: Enjoy the salad fresh for the best texture and flavor. If you need to prepare ahead, keep the dressing separate and add just before serving.

Tips & Variations

For an extra flavor boost, massage the chard leaves lightly with a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of olive oil before assembling the salad. This softens the leaves and takes away some bitterness.

Feel free to customize this salad by adding your favorite ingredients such as pumpkin seeds, sliced cucumbers, or fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. For a protein boost, toss in some cooked chickpeas or grilled tofu cubes.

To add more texture, try substituting the dried cranberries with fresh pomegranate seeds or chopped apples. You can also switch the lemon juice dressing for balsamic vinegar for a richer flavor profile.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This vegan chard salad makes an excellent side dish for many meals. Pair it with hearty grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or your favorite vegan main course.

It also works beautifully as a light lunch on its own, especially when topped with additional protein like tempeh or chickpeas.

For a complete plant-based meal, try it alongside our Cajun Ranch Wing Sauce Recipe with crispy cauliflower wings or serve it with a warm slice of crusty bread.

Conclusion

This vegan chard salad recipe is a wonderful way to add more greens and vibrant flavors to your diet. It’s quick to prepare, nutrient-packed, and endlessly adaptable to suit your taste buds and pantry staples.

Whether you’re looking for a healthy lunch, a colorful side dish, or a fresh salad to bring to your next potluck, this recipe won’t disappoint.

By incorporating wholesome ingredients like Swiss chard, fresh veggies, nuts, and a zesty dressing, you create a salad that’s both delicious and nourishing. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different toppings and dressings to find your perfect combination.

For more flavorful vegan recipes, explore our collection including the Lion’S Mane Mushroom Crumble Recipes or the tangy Low Fodmap Appetizer Recipes.

Enjoy your vibrant vegan chard salad and happy cooking!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Chard Salad Recipe Vegan”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A fresh and vibrant vegan chard salad packed with flavor and nutrients. Perfect as a light lunch or side dish.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT0M”, “totalTime”: “PT15M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“4 cups fresh Swiss chard, chopped”, “1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved”, “1/2 cup cucumber, diced”, “1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced”, “1/4 cup walnuts, chopped”, “2 tablespoons lemon juice”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 teaspoon maple syrup”, “1 garlic clove, minced”, “Salt to taste”, “Black pepper to taste”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Wash and chop the Swiss chard.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Slice cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine chard, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion in a large bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Sprinkle chopped walnuts on top before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “180 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “4 g”, “fatContent”: “14 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “10 g”}}