Forget everything you know about boring salads! This Vegan Cobb Salad is changing the game and checking all of the right boxes: it’s easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and filling enough to eat on its own. Dressed in a red wine vinaigrette, the flavors are exciting and bold! Just like my Kale Caesar and Vegan Chicken Salad, I’ve substituted the classic not-so-vegan ingredients of a cobb salad recipe and added a twist. The layers of vegan tempeh bacon, avocado, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, and chickpeas don’t only provide the salad with flavor and color, but it’s packed with plant based protein! In other words, it’s one of the best vegan salads to make for Sunday meal prep or to eat as a healthy dinner. It’s really easy to customize too. Add some corn, ranch dressing, vegan cheese, or more veggies to make it just the way you like. Whether you pack it up to bring to barbecues or to enjoy it as a grab-an-go lunch, vegan cobb salad with protein travels well and is sure to make your day better.
What is cobb salad?
Cobb salad is a filling lunch or dinner traditionally made with romaine or iceberg lettuce, hard boiled eggs, avocado, bacon, chicken, cheese, and tomatoes. It’s usually dressed in a red wine vinaigrette, but pairs nicely with creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing as well. Thankfully, this hearty vegan salad is easy to customize. Just swap the animal products for lots of hearty vegetables, vegetarian bacon, and vegan cheese!
How to make a vegan cobb salad
Make the FAST tempeh bacon by sautéing the pieces in a skillet with oil. Stir in some soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, and garlic powder to infuse the savory bacon-y flavors. Take it off the heat and set aside until it’s time to assemble. Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, maple syrup, dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper together to make the red wine dressing. To assemble the salad, place the chopped lettuce in a bowl. Arrange the toppings in lines over the greens. Drizzle the dressing over top and enjoy!
Customize it
Vegan protein – Swap the homemade tempeh bacon for tofu bacon, marinated coconut bacon, vegan chicken, air fried tofu, or store bought vegan bacon.Toppings – The toppings can easily be customized depending on what you like or the season. Corn would be a great addition, as well as cooked quinoa or farro, sliced radishes, fresh herbs, cucumber, vegan cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese, or green beans.Dressing – Instead of vinaigrette, use a creamy vegan ranch dressing, green goddess dressing, or vegan blue cheese dressing.
Make ahead tips
Each element in a cobb salad can be prepared ahead of time. Make the tempeh bacon, chop the veggies, and prepare the vinaigrette up to 3 days ahead and keep everything in separate airtight containers in the fridge.
Meal prep tips
Ever heard of mason jar salads? It’s a nifty way of packing a salad’s toppings, protein, lettuce, and dressing all in one jar without it getting soggy. To do this with a vegan cobb salad, just keep the avocado separate and follow these directions: When it’s time to eat, simply shake up the container and enjoy! Top with some avocado and any additional toppings that you love.
More filling and hearty vegan salads
Pesto Pasta SaladBest Vegan Potato SaladKale Caesar SaladBacon Ranch Pasta Salad
