Healthy Vegan Taco Salad

A healthy Vegan Taco Salad to switch up #tacotuesday

About This Healthy Vegan Taco Salad This loaded, healthy Vegan Taco Salad is a main-dish salad! It’s my way of switching up #tacotuesday! All the taco flavours in a healthy, nutritious salad. This was my intention! You got creamy sour cream, salsa, spicy black bean filling, crisp veggies and lettuce, and crunchy pita topping! This vegan taco salad is all about the toppings, so don’t skimp! I’d even suggest going all out and piling the toppings high! Ingredients You'll Need

• Romaine Lettuce

• Bell Peppers

• Cherry Tomatoes

• Mango (fresh or frozen)

• Avocado

• Jalapeño

• Green or Red Onion

• Black Beans

• Frozen Corn

• Limes

• Cilantro

• Basic Sour Cream

• Salsa

• Hot Sauce

• Spices (smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper)

• Pita Chips (homemade or purchased)

How To Make This Recipe 1. Prep the toppings and sour cream so they’re ready to go! 2. Chop all veggies and assemble salads. 3. Make the black bean and corn filling by heating all the ingredients in a pot for just a minute and then pile onto the salads! Garnish with all the toppings! According to our appetites (we have BIG ones), this salad can serve 2 to 3 as a main dish! Equipment Needed Blender – To make Basic Sour Cream. Health Notes Black beans! Our taco filling for this vegan taco salad is made from black beans meaning you’re getting MAJOR health-supportive, plant-based protein, soluble and insoluble fibre, and antioxidants! Legumes (beans, peas, lentils) are underrated superfoods and should be consumed daily. They’re good for digestion, keeping you full, and feeding the healthy bacteria in your gut that are absolutely essential for nutrient absorption, proper functioning of the immune system, and hormonal balance.

My FAVOURITE Vegan Taco? I'm totally bias! The Tempeh Tacos from The Plant-Based Cookbook are my all-time fav vegan tacos. I came up with this recipe for a cooking class I used to teach called “Soy Confused” and it was always a hit! I knew that it would end up in a cookbook! Get the cookbook now!

Healthy Vegan Taco Salad

Tacos in salad form! This loaded vegan taco salad has crunch, spice, flavor, and all the nutrition! As a main dish, this vegan taco salad can serve 3, or 4 to 6 as a side salad.

Salad

• 1 large head romaine lettuce (washed, spun dry and finely chopped)

• 1 red bell pepper (seeds and stem removed, diced)

• 1 yellow bell pepper (seeds and stem removed, diced)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)

• 2 scallions ((green onions), thinly sliced OR ½ red onion, finely diced)

• 1 small jalapeno (seeds removed and thinly sliced (optional))

• 1 mango (peeled and diced (or 1 cup frozen, see notes))

• 1 large avocado (peeled and pit removed, diced)

Black Beans and Corn Filling

• 1½ cups cooked or canned black beans (drained and rinsed)

• 1 cup frozen corn kernals

• 1½ teaspoons ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on preference)

• 2 tablespoons lime juice ((freshly squeezed))

Toppings/Garnish

• Salsa of choice

• Fresh cilantro

• 1 to 2 Limes (sliced into wedges)

• Jalapenos

• Hot sauce (vinegar-based (like Frank's))

• 1 batch Basic Sour Cream

• Handful whole wheat pita chips or homemade (, crushed (see Step 1 and notes). For gluten-free use brown rice wrap or crushed nuts. )

1. First, make the Basic Cashew Sour Cream and set aside. If making your own pita chips, toast 1 whole wheat pita bread in an oven preheated to 375ºF for about 8 to 10 minutes until golden. Let cool and crush into little chips.

2. Chop and prep all the veggies (romaine through bell pepper). You can layer all the salad ingredients in a large salad bowl for a serve-yourself presentation or you can make it in individual bowls. Set aside.

3. Get all your toppings ready to go and on the table or counter.

4. Next, place the beans, corn, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, and lime juice in a medium pot and cook over medium heat just for a couple of minutes, stirring, until the corn is not longer frozen and everything is heated throughout. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to prevent burning.

5. Serve the Black Bean and Corn Filling (while it's hot) on top of the salads and then garnish with all the toppings – salsa, crushed pita bread chips, cilantro, jalapeños, hot sauce, Basic Sour Cream, and lots of freshly squeezed lime! Toss and enjoy!

Basic Sour Cream Recipe here.

Make Pita Chips: Preheat the oven to 375ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place 1 to 2  whole wheat pita bread or quesadilla on the pan and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and crunchy. Let cool and then crush into small chips for a crunch topping. For gluten-free, make chips from brown rice wrap OR use chopped nuts or seeds of choice. 

If Using Frozen Mango: Let the mango thaw, drain, then dice.