Chicken Salad is one of those comfort foods many of us Brand New Vegans miss when we make the switch to healthier eating. As it turns out, there is a product called 'Soy Curls' that are so close in texture it may just surprise you. So given that fact, I made this Vegan Chicken Salad, just for you.
Before the comments and questions come flying
Soy Curls are made by a company in Oregon. There is only one ingredient on the package - soybeans. And yes, they are organic and
What they do is steam the beans, shred them, and then dry them. And like most soy products, they will absorb the flavor (like tofu) of whatever you mix with them.
They are available in many stores now and will almost always be found in a Whole Foods Market if you have one nearby. If not, you can order them directly from the company's website (butler foods) or you can order them on Amazon.
Here is my affiliate link, and yes I do make a small commission but at no additional cost to you.
Link to Butler Soy Curls on Amazon.
Another question I get hit with a lot is this one:
"Why Do You Vegans Always Try to Imitate OUR Food" (usually in a very angry kind of voice)
Because for many of us, we did not give up eating meat because we didn't like it. We gave it up to better our health.
I've met so many people in my private Facebook Group who's doctor has said, "Either you change your diet & lifestyle, or you're going to die".
They didn't want to change their diet....
They HAD to!
And if my recipes make it easier for them to stay on track? By imitating their favorite comfort foods they used to love? Without any of the saturated fat, cholesterol, or animal proteins that are scientifically proven to harm us?
Then I've done my job.
And lastly, one more question I get asked a lot too.... "Why do you have to call it Chicken Salad if there's no chicken in it?"
When I say chicken salad, you know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you.....w
But if I said this was a Vegan Soy Curl Salad.....how many of you would either know (or want to know) what this recipe was about?
Do you often think to yourself and then google
I didn't think so. 🙂
Now, let's make some Vegan Chicken Salad.
Vegan Chicken Salad
We're going to start with rehydrating our Soy Curls.
Empty the bag into a large bowl and add 3 cups of hot water (or you can sub 1 cup with veg broth). Then I like to stir in a teaspoon or two of dried Poultry Seasoning.
Let that sit for at least 10 minutes. Then we'll drain it and squeeze out most of the liquid before giving them a little chop.
Next we're going to make some of my Vegan Garlic Aioli. I'll just add a link to it here instead of typing out all the steps. We'll need about 1 cup for this recipe. Any remaining aioli can be kept in the fridge to use with your hash browns, bakes potatoes, tacos, etc. Should keep easily for 4-5 days.
Now it's just a simple matter of putting together our salad.
I used ½ red onion, ½ red bell pepper, 2-3 ribs of celery, 1 cup of grapes that I sliced in half, ½ cup of pickle relish, and ¼ cup shredded carrot.
I also added 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard to my cup of aioli and then stirred that into my salad.
Finally, stir in your soy curls, mixing well.
Use a large bowl as this DOES make a lot. If it's just you and your spouse or you live alone - you may want to cut this recipe in half.
That's it. Feel free to adjust the veggies to your own liking. Add more relish if you like it that way, or more aioli if it seems too dry. Be sure and season with salt and pepper too.
Play with this recipe and be sure and tell me what you think. I love those comment and I do read each and every one.
Until next week.... keep on cookin!
Vegan Chicken Salad
- Prep Time: 45 min
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad, Soy Curls
- Cuisine: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Chicken Salad replaces one of our most beloved comfort foods that many of us Brand New Vegans miss after making the switch to healthier eating.
Ingredients
Vegan Chicken Salad
- 8oz bag Butler Soy Curls
- 3 cups hot water (or sub 1 cup veg broth)
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- ½ red onion, diced
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 1 cup red seedless grapes, sliced in half
- ½ cup pickle relish
- ¼ cup shredded carrot
Dressing
- 1 cup vegan garlic aioli
- 1 Tbs dijon mustard
Instructions
- Add soy curls to a large bowl and add 3 cups of water (or veg broth) and stir in the poultry seasoning.
- Meanwhile, make the Vegan Garlic Aioli and reserve 1 cup for this recipe.
- Stir 1 Tbs dijon mustard into the 1 cup of aioli and set aside.
- Chop all veggies and place in a large bowl
- Add the aioli dressing and mix well
- Drain soy curls and squeeze out as much moisture as possible, then chop into smaller pieces.
- Add soy curls to salad and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
Mildred Melendez
With our line of business, we can already tell if a dish is healthy or not just by looking at it; let alone the taste. Wow. This chicken salad is fabulous. Healthy eating is an understatement. Thank you for sharing this. I'd love to read more.
Monica Wallace
My first time using soy curls was a success thanks to this fabulous recipe, thank you! I added a couple Tbsp of Garden Dill Mustard Seed from CA Balsamic and made it even more tasty, my whole family loved this.
Kayce
This recipe is phenomenal!!! I left out the grapes because I'm not a fan of them in cold salads, and I added an extra half of red pepper, and it turned out fantastic! I will definitely be adding this to my regular rotation of foods. ??
Elizabeth
Do you use the seasoning that comes with the soy curls or do you use a different poultry seasoning?
Chuck Underwood
Regular poultry seasoning
Elizabeth
Thanks for the quick response. Looking forward to trying this as I loved chicken salad! Appreciate all your posts!
Kathy Sneider
Can't wait to try this. Do you have a lobster roll recipe? I would love that!
Chuck Underwood
A vegan lobster roll? Now there's a new one. Can't say that I do, sorry.
Susan
Very good! I liked it. Hubby Loved it.
Thank you Chuck..
Lindy
I’ve made this several times and it’s fantastic. I soak the soy curls in Better than Bouillon Vegetarian No Chicken flavor and then sauté until lightly browned.. This adds a rotisserie flavor. We chop the ingredients a little more finely than in your photos. Regular coarse stoneground. mustard is used in place of Dijon. Our favorite way of serving the salad is to wrap about 3 Tbl with baby arugula in brown rice spring wrappers and serve as a finger food. Thanks for the great recipes.
Deanna
Do you use sweet or dill pickle relish?
Chuck Underwood
I like dill
Linda
Absolutely delicious!!!
Linda
Absolutely yummy!!!
Fiona Manoon
Thank you so much for sharing recipes.Great blog!!!
Ellen Webb
Chuck - this sounds amazing (said as I am printing the recipe to make tomorrow). Thank you for all you do - it is so much appreciated. - Ellen Webb
Tom
But a quick question..... Are soy curls considered WHOLE FOOD?????? seems highly processed. Just curious.
Chuck Underwood
They are just soybeans that have been shredded and dried. Minimally processed.
JodyT
They are also a great plant based staple to have in your pantry. I like to serve them when I have little time to cook because I can whip up something fast with them. Thanks for another great recipe Chuck!
Jovy Jergens
Dear Chuck, I admire anyone who becomes a vegan for whatever reason, however, the OVERWHELMING reason most people give up animal products and embark upon the vegan lifestyle is for HUMANE, ETHICAL AND ECOLOGICAL reasons. It can be a sacrifice but it is our "religion." it is not like joining a gym. Respectfully, JJ
Laura
Not everyone, I was raised on a farm with cattle and horses. I just want to be healthy.
Leigh
I am a vegan because of health reasons and agree 100% with wanting something I am familiar with. If you are a vegan for environmental reasons I don’t think you should care why people are vegans, or vegetarians. Even if they only give up meat one day a week it makes a substantial impact on environment. Accept people for where they are.
Barbara
Yup, no sorry - it's health reasons for me also - NOT ethical. It's only "overwhelming' to you - there are tens of thousands of people in facebook groups that are eating plant-based for health - NOT for ethical reasons, nor is it a "religion'. Please don't assume everyone is like you - expand your mind and learn new things.
Karen
Thank you Chuck! I am NOT a vegan for ethical reasons. I really liked fried chicken and a juicy steak. But my health was deteriorating so I knew I had to change. My health has improved and I love your recipes.