Trending at Target this week, are some newfound vegan and plant-based items ripe for imagination. Target’s new line of store-brand bagged salads are tasty on their own, but each bag includes a recipe idea to take your bag of greens to another level. Good & Gather also revealed a selection of dairy-free dips and spreads, available in 5 flavors. Our local Targets are currently only carrying 3 of the 5, so I will be saving space in my shopping cart until the other two are released!

Salads aren’t typically exciting to me. Salads are what I was offered at every outing when first going veg, and as such I have been in imminent protest. Vegan salads, however, are a league of their own. Vegan salads are zusched up versions of the traditional appetizer, with added textures and a myriad of vegetables and plant-based protein sources. I was surprised to find Target released their own trio of vegan salads, complete with non-dairy shreds and creamy dressing. I just had to share my haul; three new Vegan Salads, three dairy-free dips with gluten-free chips, and Target’s own branded frozen chick’n tenders, plant-based ground, and organic tofu!

My favorite of the three salads surprised me, as it was the Vegan Ranch and Avocado Salad. This was the most “basic” of the three released and had the creamiest dressing. I found I used less dressing on this salad, but I think it was probably because the included avocado worked to creamily coat the leaves too. I added a serving of Good & Gather Plant-Based Meatless Chick’n Tenders, as they helped to keep me fuller longer. I sliced them lengthwise and tossed with the salad and dressing. I think this added a little something extra, as the tenders were warm and flaky compared to the cool and crunchy salad. The included flax crackers are a delicious take on croutons, and I believe they are offered boxed in the cracker department on their own. Speaking of packaging items on their own, two of the three vegan salads (this one included) contain a non-dairy mozzarella shred that is really good! Do we think Target will be releasing their own line of plant-based mozzarella shreds to compete with Walmart’s new line? I sure hope so!

Second runner-up, is the Vegan Chipotle Ranch with Black Beans Salad. Cruciferous vegetables and green salad are met with dairy-free mozzarella shreds, black beans, and a slightly smoky chipotle ranch dressing. This dressing was actually not very spicy, but had a tinge of heat and a lot of sweet. I included a portion of Good & Gather Plant-Based Ground, to make it more of a “taco salad”. I think the meatless crumbles took this salad from side dish to filling meal, but adding fried tortilla shreds and sliced avocado would work well too. The recipe idea on the back of the bag is a tostada with guac, topped with the salad mix. I will definitely be making that next go-round!

I thought that the Vegan Tangy Thai-Style Curry with Quinoa and Chickpeas salad would be my favorite. I love Thai flavors, and chickpeas are one of my favorite plant-based proteins. However, this dressing is too spicy for me! I have a sissy palette, so I think if I dilute the dressing next time, this may be the winner. Cabbage, veggies, and lettuce are mixed with red and white quinoa, chickpeas, curry-seasoned cashews, and a coconut curry dressing. The dressing is smoky, spicy, sweet and tangy, just as the name promises. The seasoned cashews are incredible, and I am hoping to find them in bagged on their own once these salads are found to be a hit! Once more I integrated an additional protein, and this time it was Target’s new Good & Gather branded Organic Tofu! Extra firm, it is easy to press and sauté. I mixed the sautéed tofu in with my salad, and had myself a full Thai-inspired dinner plate. The recipe on the back of this bag is Curry Loaded Potatoes. Doesn’t that sound interesting? I feel inspired to use these pre-fab bags in many different ways, for healthy summer-time dinners!

Wait, Good & Gather Plant-based Dips too? Target you are too good to us. Keep it up! I am stoked on the possibilities with these dips and spreads. They are cashew-based and packed with flavor. I picked up the Everything Seasoned, French Onion, and Pizza Flavored dip.

The first dip I tried was the Non-dairy French Onion Dip and Spread. The words I uttered after my initial taste were, “Holy F*%k this is good.” Not sure if that means this dip is insanely delicious, or I just need to try more chip dips, but I am here for this. The powerful flavor of caramelized onion is abundant, with added kicks of garlic and pepper. The tastiest dip? Maybe. The best kissing deterrent? Absolutely.

Stay tuned to my stories to see how I use these as spreads in other dishes, and to hear my take on the additional flavors I picked up (PIZZA and EVERYTHING). Coming soon are a spicy Buffalo and sweet Brownie-flavored dip that I am looking forward to devouring. I love snacks!

Which flavor can’t you wait to try?

Target Location: 2425 Claribel Rd, Riverbank, CA 95367

https://www.target.com/sl/riverbank/2096

https://www.target.com/