I love a good salad, but let’s be honest —they can sometimes get a bit boring and repetitive, you know? Well, not anymore! I just made the BEST plant-based summer salad and I can’t wait to share the recipe with you. It’s savory, spicy, full of nutrients, and has just the right amount of sweetness. It does take some prep work, but trust me, it’s worth it! This recipe makes 1-2 servings, but the beets, quinoa, and salad dressing will make enough for multiple servings, perfect for meal prep throughout the week if that’s your thing!

Ingredients, organic & local when possible:

• 1 fresh small red beet, chopped
• 1 fresh small gold beet, chopped
• Pinch of sea salt
• California garlic pepper seasoning, roughly 1/4 teaspoon
• EVOO, roughly 1/4 teaspoon
• Romaine lettuce
• Crispy chickpeas, you can make your own, or grab some already made at the store, but be sure to choose organic as chickpeas can have high levels of glyphosate if not. Here’s an organic brand if you’re looking for one.
• Sliced jalapenos
• Cooked quinoa (make according to instructions and save the extra for leftovers)
• Cilantro, 1/3 cup chopped
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Coconut Aminos, 1/4 cup
• Raw cashews, 3/4 cup, soaked in hot water for 60 minutes, drained

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season your beets with EVOO, sea salt, and garlic pepper seasoning. Bake for 45-60 minutes until soft. Set aside.
2. While the beets are in the oven, make quinoa according to the instructions. Set aside.
3. Make the cashew aminos dressing: Add soaked cashews to a blender with 1/4-1/3 cup of water and 1/4 cup of coconut aminos. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed. This will make enough dressing for 2-3 salads.
4. In a salad bowl, add romaine lettuce, cooked quinoa, cooked beets, crispy chickpeas, sliced jalapeños, cilantro, and avocado. Top with the dressing.
5. Enjoy!

I can’t wait to hear what you think of this salad. If you give it a try, please let me know in the comments. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I hope you love it as much as I do!

xo, Chelsea

~ New to plant-based living and unsure where to start? 🌱 Dive into my latest guide on plant-based wellness here.