Salads. If you’re used to a meat-based diet, you might be thinking, how can a salad possibly satisfy me? Well, these 10 vegan salads are packed with vibrant, locally sourced ingredients from right here in Kenya. They’re hearty, flavourful, and designed to appeal to anyone—even die-hard meat lovers.
Julia Child, “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces—just good food from fresh ingredients.”
Vinegar
Vinegar can be a direct substitute for oil in dressings. Simply mix it with some herbs, lemon juice, or mustard for a tangy, low-calorie dressing.
Plain Non-Dairy Yogurt
Plain non-dairy or dairy yogurt is another great option for a creamy dressing. Mix it with lemon juice, garlic, and herbs to create a tangy and refreshing dressing.
Coconut Milk
In coastal areas of Kenya, coconut milk can be a perfect base for salad dressings. It adds a rich, slightly sweet flavor. You can mix it with lime juice and a little chili for a tropical-tasting dressing.
Fruit-Based Dressings
Blending fruits like mango, pineapple, or passion fruit with a little lemon juice can create a naturally sweet and tangy dressing. This works particularly well for salads with ingredients like lettuce, avocado, or cucumber.
10 Vegan Salads That Both You and Chef Ombachi Can Make- Each, Better Than the Previous One!
1. Tomato and Cucumber Kachumbari
Kachumbari is a Kenyan classic, often served alongside grilled meats. Who says you can’t enjoy it in a vegan salad? Chop tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and cilantro, and toss with a sprinkle of salt and lemon juice. For a twist, add chopped dhania (coriander) and avocados.
Kachumbari is so simple that even the most beginner chef can whip it up—and it’s a perfect vegan starter salad for those new to plant-based eating.
2. Tamarind and Mango Salad (Sweet, Sour, Spicy)
Ingredients: Tomatoes, onions, lettuce, ripe mango, tamarind pulp, chili flakes, cilantro, peanuts, olive oil, salt.
Dice tomatoes, onions and the mango. Add roughly sliced lettuce. Pour in some tamarind pulp, chilli flakes, salt and cilantro. Toss around till the ingredients are mixed. Add peanuts and oilve oil and toss to mix. Let it set in the fridge for a few minutes.
(Sweet from the mango, sour from the tamarind, spicy from chili flakes, and salty from the peanuts.)
Tamarind and mango are a dream duo—this salad pairs ripe mango with a tangy tamarind dressing. Add in red chili flakes for some heat and garnish with coriander and peanuts for a bit of crunch.
3. Papaya and Cucumber Salad
Papayas are more than just a tropical treat—they’re a nutritional powerhouse. Combine ripe papaya with thinly sliced cucumbers, chopped red onion, and a lime-chili dressing for a refreshing salad with a bit of a kick. The mix of sweet and spicy will keep your taste buds dancing!
Here’s a fun fact: Papayas contain more Vitamin C than oranges!
4. Pineapple and Cucumber Salad with Sesame-Lime Dressing (Sweet, Sour, Nutty)
Ingredients: Pineapple chunks, cucumber, lime juice, sesame oil, sesame seeds, salt.
(Sweet pineapple, tangy lime, and nutty sesame oil with a refreshing cucumber crunch.)
Pineapple’s juicy sweetness is balanced by cool cucumber and a nutty sesame-lime dressing. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an extra layer of texture.
5. Cucumber, Pineapple, and Lettuce Salad (Sweet, Crunchy, Citrusy)
Ingredients: Sliced cucumber, diced pineapple, lettuce, lemon juice, and sesame seeds.
Dressing: Lemon juice with a hint of honey and sesame oil.
Dice the cucumber and pineapple and chop the lettuce into chunks. Toss them in a bowl to mix. Season with lemon juice and a hint of honey and sesame oil and toss again to mix. Freeze for a few minutes.
The crispness of cucumber and lettuce with the juicy sweetness of pineapple makes this a refreshing choice for hot days.
6. Tomato, Onion, and Cabbage Kachumbari (Classic, Zesty)
Ingredients: Chopped tomatoes, red onions, shredded cabbage, coriander, and lemon juice.
Dressing: Lemon and olive oil with a pinch of salt and pepper.
This is a traditional and beloved salad with an added twist from the cabbage, making it crunchy and filling.
7. Honey-Lime Carrot and Cabbage Slaw (Sweet, Crunchy, Zesty)
Ingredients: Shredded cabbage, grated carrots, diced avocado, coriander, and onions.
Dressing: Honey-lime dressing with sesame and a hint of chili.
The crunchy texture combined with sweet honey and zesty lime makes this an irresistible slaw.
8. Lettuce and Avocado Salad with Sesame-Honey Dressing (Light, Creamy, Nutty)
Ingredients: Lettuce, avocado slices, chopped onions, coriander, and sesame seeds.
Dressing: A light sesame-honey dressing with lime juice.
Avocado’s richness with the nuttiness of sesame seeds and the freshness of lettuce makes this simple but flavourful.
9. Carrot and Pineapple Salad with Lime-Honey Dressing (Sweet, Crunchy, Zesty)
Ingredients: Grated carrots, diced pineapple, coriander, and red onions.
Dressing: Lime juice, honey, and olive oil dressing.
Pineapple adds tropical sweetness, and the honey-lime dressing makes the salad flavorful and vibrant.
10. Tomato, Lettuce, and Vegan Cheese Salad with Lime Dressing (Classic, Creamy, Citrusy)
Ingredients: Chopped tomatoes, lettuce, vegan cheese cubes, cucumbers, and coriander.
Dressing: Lime juice, olive oil, and sesame seeds.
The combination of tangy lime with fresh lettuce and the creaminess of vegan cheese makes this a crowd-pleaser.
Bringing Vegan Salads to the Kenyan Table
Salads don’t have to be boring, nor do they have to lack heartiness. These 10 salads are not just vegan-friendly but also use ingredients that thrive in Kenya’s climate, especially in ASAL regions. Plus, they’re designed to appeal to all taste buds, even those used to a diet rich in meat.
When you choose organic, locally-grown produce—like the kind we grow at Ambokili Farm—you’re not only making healthy choices for your body but also supporting sustainable farming practices that heal the earth.
As the famous chef Julia Child once said, “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces—just good food from fresh ingredients.” With these salads, you’re doing exactly that—simple, fresh, and oh-so-delicious!
