I don’t know about you, but I like my salads loaded with lots of toppings and extra dressing. And even if you’re not a salad person, I’ll bet you wouldn’t mind a yummy taco salad once in a while.

This basic vegan taco salad is made with ingredients you can find at any grocery store. You can use fresh or frozen corn, depending on the season. With the salsa, you don’t necessarily need salad dressing, but I’ve included a recipe for a creamy cilantro-lime dressing as well.

The recipe makes four large salads, but it’s easy to adapt it to one or two servings. Simply adjust the portions of lettuce, cilantro, and salsa, and save the rest of the beans, corn, jalapeño, and sweet potato for tacos or a future salad.

Avocados are not as easy to save, but if you seal the the half with the pit in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator it will still be good the next day.

Basic Vegan Taco Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 head of romaine lettuce
• 1 avocado
• 2 jalapeños
• 1/2 bunch of cilantro
• 1 can of black beans
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 cup salsa
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Peel and dice the sweet potato. Warm some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the sweet potato, stirring frequently, until browned on all sides.
2. Add the corn to the skillet when the sweet potatoes are almost done. Fry for a few more minutes, season with salt, and set aside.
3. Open the can of black beans. Drain and rinse them in a colander.
4. Chop up the lettuce and slice the jalapeños and avocado.
5. Arrange the lettuce in bowls and top with the sweet potato, corn, black beans, jalapeños, salsa, and avocado. Garnish with cilantro sprigs to serve.

Basic Vegan Cilantro-Lime Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegan mayo
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• 2 teaspoons green hot sauce
• Pinch of salt

This is my basic vegan taco salad recipe, but feel free to modify it all you want. Here are some ideas for additional toppings or substitutions:

• Baby Spinach or Arugula
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Guacamole
• Hot Sauce
• Mango
• Pickled Red Onions
• Pickled Jalapeños
• Pico de Gallo
• Radishes
• Toasted Pepitas
• Tortilla Chips
• Vegan Sour Cream