This vegan Caesar dressing is about adding in the protein without losing any awesome flavor. It’s super creamy and tasty and perfect for prepping ahead. Ready in under 5 minutes, you can whip up a big batch and stash it in your fridge whenever you're craving a quick, flavor-packed salad, pasta, wrap, or grain bowl.
If you've already given my Vegan Caesar Salad a whirl, you're clued into the magic of whipping up a dreamy Caesar dressing with cashews.
This time, though, I cranked up the protein by bringing silken tofu into the mix, and let me tell you—it's a game-changer. It turned out insanely good. You'd never guess it's tofu-based, and the flavors? Hearty, creamy, and delicious, this dressing proves that vegan salad dressing can be far more than just nuts and twigs...haha...see what I did there?
For those who like numbers, silken tofu is a good source of protein and offers about 6 to 8 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). For more information on a protein and a plant-based diet, see Protein and a Plant-Based Diet and 14 Plant-Based Foods That Pack a Protein Punch.
To learn how to make delicious homemade dressings and sauces fast and easy, check out How to Make Homemade Vegan Sauces.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
There are many reasons to love this vegan Caesar dressing recipe, but here are just a few:
- Nutritional Powerhouse: It's a fantastic way to sneak more protein into your diet.
- Meal Prep Champion: Prepare a batch at the start of the week for a quick and easy way to add excitement to your meals.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It's delicious and vegan, so it's sure to be a hit with everyone, regardless of their dietary choices.
Ingredients and Notes
Here is a picture of what you'll need to make a big batch of this delicious savory dressing. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you'll probably have most of these already in the kitchen. See the recipe card for quantities.
Water: For a creamier texture with more fluidity, gradually mix in a tablespoon of water at a time until it's just how you like it. I like mine a bit thick, so I use about a tablespoon.
Silken Tofu: I left the tofu in the container for the picture above so you can see what I use. It can be found online in bulk or in singular quantities at Whole Foods.
Tahini: The brand of tahini can significantly impact flavor, as tastes differ across brands. Ensure you select a tahini you enjoy before incorporating it into this recipe. Also, remember to thoroughly mix the tahini to blend the oil that separates and rises to the top before measuring out the two tablespoons needed for this recipe.
Capers: Use the capers and add an additional teaspoon of the caper brine.
Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: Many major grocery stores sell the vegan version.
Dijon Mustard: Adds a tang to the dressing.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Don't skip this ingredient as it adds a brightness to the dressing that you will miss if it's not there.
Garlic Cloves, Salt, and Black Pepper
Instructions
This dressing recipe is fast, offering a fantastic return on investment with 2 cups of sheer deliciousness you can use all week. Fast, simple, and rewarding!
Place all the ingredients in a blender.
Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides if necessary.
Top Tips
Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for those who love a little heat.
Blend in fresh basil, dill, or cilantro for a herby twist.
How to Store the Dressing
Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 -7 days. I do not recommend freezing it as tofu changes texture when frozen.
If you've already mixed the dressing with lettuce, seal it in an airtight container and consume it the following day. Expect the lettuce to wilt and croutons to soften (if you used them), but rest assured, it will still taste fantastic!
Serving Suggestions for Caesar Dressing
You can go the traditional route and make a delicious vegan Caesar salad with crisp romaine lettuce, crispy chickpea croutons, and regular croutons, but here are some other recipe ideas to put that delicious dressing to good use:
- Wrap It Up: Elevate your wrap game by spreading a generous layer of this dressing on a tortilla before adding crispy tofu and avocado slices.
- Dip: Transform your vegetable sticks, pita bread, or crispy chickpeas into an irresistible snack with this dressing as a dip.
- Bowl: Drizzle it over a hearty bowl of quinoa, kale, roasted vegetables, and seeds for a nutritious meal.
- Pasta: Mix it into warm pasta for a creamy, satisfying dish.
- Pizza: Yep, one of my favorite ways of enjoying this dressing is on Pizza. Use it as a base or pour it over the top.
- Caesar Avocado Toast: Spread the dressing on toasted bread and top with slices of avocado, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, and cracked black pepper for a twist on avocado toast.
- Caesar Roasted Potatoes: Cut potatoes into wedges, toss with the dressing, and roast until crispy for a flavorful side dish.
- Vegan Caesar Potato Salad: Use the dressing as a base for a potato salad, add in green onions, celery, and fresh dill.
- Caesar Brussel Sprouts: Halve Brussel sprouts, toss with the dressing, and roast until golden for a tasty snack or side.
- Caesar Tofu Scramble: Top tofu scramble for breakfast, adding a creamy texture and rich flavor.
FAQs
Stored in an airtight container, it can last up to 5 days, making it perfect for meal prep.
Yes, it is.
Silken tofu is a good source of protein, offering a good amount per serving. While it may not be as high in protein content as some other soy products or legumes, it still provides about 6 to 8 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). This makes it a good, though not the highest, source of plant-based protein.
The traditional Caesar dressing isn't on the vegan menu, thanks to its lineup of anchovies, Parmesan, and the occasional egg yolk cameo.
Looking for more high-protein recipes?
- High-Protein Vegan Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats
- High-Protein Lupini Bean Seitan
- High-Protein Lupini Bean Seitan
- High-Protein Lupini Bean Hummus
- High Protein Tofu Scramble
What did you think?
Got a minute? Dive into the comments and rate this recipe to let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Any twists you added? I want to know if my directions were any good or if you plan to make it. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
PrintRecipe
High-Protein Vegan Caesar Dressing
This vegan Caesar dressing is about packing in the protein without losing any awesome flavor. It’s super creamy and tasty and perfect for prepping ahead. Ready in under 5 minutes, you can whip up a big batch and stash it in your fridge whenever you're craving a quick, flavor-packed salad, pasta, wrap, or grain bowl.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 box (about 12 to 14 oz) extra firm silken tofu**
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced (or to taste)
- 2 teaspoons capers with one teaspoon of the brine
- 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ pepper
- water, as needed for consistency (start with 1 tablespoons and add as needed)
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, add the whole box of silken tofu, lemon juice, tahini, Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, minced garlic, capers (along with a bit of the brine for extra flavor), and vegan Worcestershire sauce. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. If the mixture seems too thick for your liking, add water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Notes
Stop and scrape the sides of the blender if necessary to incorporate all the ingredients well.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dressings
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 98
- Sugar: 0.6 g
- Sodium: 275.3 mg
- Fat: 3.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Protein: 3.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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