Vegan Caesar Salad

Name: Vegan Caesar Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for ~4 hours, then drained); 2 tablespoons miso; 2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice from 1 lemon ); 1 tablespoon capers (heaping tbsp with a tsp of the brine); 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1-2 cloves garlic; ½ teaspoon nori flakes (optional; see post for more info); ½ teaspoon salt (to taste); ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ cup water (add additional water to get to a consistency you like); romaine lettuce (chop, rinse, and dry; combine with kale for variety); ½ cup air fryer croutons (to taste); ½ cup roasted chickpeas croutons; vegan Parmesan (optional); vegan protein of your choice (optional; see post for ideas)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 4 reviews

This vegan Caesar salad is a healthy plant-based version of the classic. It is made with a tangy and savory vegan Caesar salad dressing that everyone will love. Top it with homemade croutons and roasted chickpeas for a delicious salad fit for an emperor.

This vegan Caesar salad recipe captures all the flavor of the traditional version. It is so flavorful that no one will realize it's vegan!

Serve it alone or with Smoked Tofu, Neapolitan Pizza, Vegan Lasagna, or Vegan Quiche for a delicious, robust meal.

For other great salads, try Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad With Sunflower Seed Pesto or Vegan Couscous Salad.

Jump to:

Origin of Caesar Salad
Are Traditional Caesar Salads Vegan?
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
How To Make Vegan Caesar Salad
Top Tip
Variations
FAQS
More Delicious Vegan Salads and Grain Bowls
Recipe
Craving More Nuts & Twigs?
Comments

Origin of Caesar Salad

I found this too interesting not to share.

An Italian-American restaurant owner, Caesar Cardini, in Tijuana, Mexico invented the Caesar salad.

Despite its name hinting at Rome, this creation has its roots in Mexico's busy town. It emerged in the 1920s, and its creation was specifically dated to the Fourth of July in 1924.

Cardini was low on supplies in his restaurant, he used his creativity to mix lettuce, garlic, croutons, and boiled eggs with a homemade dressing of olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.

Today, we're giving the classic Caesar salad a vegan twist. It's still as crunchy and flavorful as the original, but now it's even better for you.

preparing a vegan caesar salad in a serving bowl, side view

Even though we're using different ingredients in this vegan recipe, you won't notice any change in the taste. This new version is just as easy to make as the original Caesar salad that Cardini created.

Are Traditional Caesar Salads Vegan?

Traditional Caesar salads aren't vegan or vegetarian due to ingredients like anchovies, Parmesan cheese, egg yolk, and Worcestershire sauce, all of which are derived from animals.

However, this plant-based Caesar salad recipe uses delicious replacements for the usual ingredients, and guess what? It tastes like the classic Caesar salad we all know and love but without animal products.

vegan caesar dressing pouring into salad

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's worth saying again - no one will know it's vegan unless you tell them! It's that good.
This healthy version is lower in fat and calories than the traditional salad but still has all the flavor. It has crisp romaine lettuce, drizzled with a delicious vegan Caesar dressing that is so good, and topped with croutons and roasted chickpeas. You can also top it with your favorite plant-based protein for a robust meal.
Nutrient-rich - Often featuring nutrient-dense ingredients, the vegan Caesar salad can be a great source of vitamins, minerals, and plant-based protein.
Accessible to many diets - Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, lactose intolerant, or an omnivore simply trying to eat more plant-based meals, this salad fits various dietary needs without sacrificing taste. To make gluten-free, just make the croutons gluten-free.
This recipe makes about one and a half cups of Caesar dressing, enough for a large salad. It's great for dinner parties or potlucks. However, you can store the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge and use it for smaller salads.
This salad fits seamlessly into any occasion and is great for summer barbecues and brunch gatherings.
Simple to meal prep - make this recipe with just a few ingredients for the week ahead.
Creamy and satisfying texture - With ingredients like blended cashews, the dressing achieves a creamy and luxurious texture that's super satisfying.
Stored in an airtight container, it remains fresh in your fridge for a week, ready to elevate any salad immediately.

Ingredients

At the heart of this salad is the dressing. To make the vegan dressing, you will need the following items in the picture. See the recipe card for details on measurements.

Dressing plus the lettuce ingredients.

Salad ingredients.

Ingredient Notes

cashews - creamy base that replaces the dairy, giving the dressing its smooth and luxurious texture
miso - replaces anchovies to provide the savory, umami flavor, while also contributing to the dressing's creamy texture.
lemon juice - adds a bright, tangy flavor
capers -add a briny, salty kick
Dijon mustard - adds a lively dimension to the dressing
garlic - gives a robust and pungent flavor that's key to the dressing's character
nori flakes - provide a subtle seafood-like flavor that emulates the taste of anchovies. The easiest way to get the ½ teaspoon of nori for this recipe is to cut off a square inch corner of a nori sheet and throw it in the blender with the other ingredients
salt and pepper
water - thins the consistency of the dressing as needed

How To Make Vegan Caesar Salad

Here's the process - simple and easy. See the recipe card for details about the recipe.

ingredients for vegan caesar dressing in blender before being mixed

Step 1: Place all the ingredients for the dressing in the blender.

ingredients for vegan caesar dressing blended

Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust for flavor and add a teaspoon of water if necessary.

vegan caesar salad in a bowl, top view, only half the dish showing

Step 3: Now, you can easily assemble this plant-based Caesar salad. Combine 4 ingredients: Romaine lettuce, vegan Caesar dressing, roasted chickpeas, and homemade croutons.

Top Tip

Submerge your chopped romaine lettuce in a bath of cold water, letting it soak for about 30 minutes. This process revives the leaves, making them crispier and plumper like professional chefs do in their kitchens. This hydration technique is particularly useful when dealing with pre-chopped romaine that's lost some vigor.

Variations

In the realm of salads, Caesar is undeniably a classic. But what if we dare to step out of tradition? Check out the options below:

Kale Caesar salad - Kale is a hearty, nutrient-packed green that could be a fantastic substitute for romaine. Its robust texture matches the creamy Caesar dressing, and its slightly bitter flavor profile offers a delightful contrast. Plus, kale is a powerhouse of vitamins A, C, and K, and a good source of fiber, which can boost your overall health and wellness.
Arugula Caesar salad - Its peppery notes could add an unexpected zing to your Caesar salad, making every bite an exciting experience. Nutrition-wise, arugula is rich in calcium, potassium, folate, and Vitamin K.
Spinach Caesar salad - With its soft leaves and slightly sweet flavor, spinach could be another excellent substitute for Romaine lettuce. It's high in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C, making your Caesar salad a hidden source of essential nutrients.
Add a vegan, nut-based Parmesan.
Add extra veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers to make your salad more colorful and nutritious.
Croutons could be swapped with toasted nuts for an extra crunch and a protein boost.
For extra protein in your salad, add some store- bought Daring "chicken" or add baked tofu or tempeh.

A vibrant image of a vegan Caesar salad, now featuring hearty, dark green kale leaves as a substitute for traditional romaine lettuce. The kale is tossed in a creamy, plant-based dressing, garnished with crunchy, golden chickpea croutons, and sprinkled with vegan parmesan.

FAQS

Is vegan Caesar salad healthier than the classic Caesar salad?

The classic Caesar salad is usually made with anchovy paste, raw egg yolk, salt and pepper, and lots of oil, making it high in fat and cholesterol. This vegan Caesar salad, on the other hand, is made with healthy ingredients like vegan cashews, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. However, since cashews are high in calories, eat in moderation.

Can I make it nut-free?

If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute cashews with sunflower seeds or silken tofu to achieve the creamy texture in the dressing.

How long will the vegan Caesar dressing last in the fridge?

Typically, homemade Caesar dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

What other toppings can I add to my vegan Caesar salad?

Feel free to get creative with additions like avocado or grilled tofu.

Is this salad gluten-free?

This Caesar is gluten-free just make sure the croutons are also gluten-free.

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

You can prepare the dressing and other components in advance. Just be sure to dress the salad right before serving to maintain the lettuce's crispness.

vegan caesar salad in a bowl, side view, topped with homemade croutons and roasted chickpeas

More Delicious Vegan Salads and Grain Bowls

See more Vegan Salad and Grain Bowls →

What did you think?

Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Vegan Caesar Salad recipe. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.