This vegan Caesar salad is a fresh, healthy twist on the classic, made entirely plant-based without sacrificing flavor. Featuring a savory vegan Caesar dressing, this salad is ready in 10 minutes.
Top it off with crunchy Air Fryer Croutons and Roasted Chickpea Croutons for added texture and flavor.
This vegan Caesar salad delivers all the bold, tangy flavor of the classic version - so much so that no one will guess it’s egg-free and dairy-free, I promise!
Inspired by Caesar Cardini’s 1924 creation, this plant-based twist keeps the signature crunch and rich taste while staying just as simple to make.
Traditional Caesar salads aren’t vegan or vegetarian because they rely on ingredients like anchovies, Parmesan cheese, egg yolk, and Worcestershire sauce. But this version swaps those out for delicious plant-based alternatives, giving you all the flavor without any animal products.
Serve it alone or with Smoked Tofu, Neapolitan Pizza, Vegan Lasagna, or Vegan Quiche for a delicious, robust meal.
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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.
- 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.
- There is enough dressing 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 or meal prep.
Ingredients
At the heart of this salad is the dressing. To make the vegan dressing, you will need the following items. See the recipe card for details on measurements.
Dressing plus the lettuce ingredients.
Salad ingredients.
- cashews - creamy base that replaces the dairy, giving the dressing its smooth and luxurious texture
- miso - don't skip as it replaces some of the savory umami flavors of the anchovies.
- capers -add a briny, salty kick. Add a little of the liquid, too.
- nori flakes - (optional) 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. To use other nori sheets in the pack, make Vegan Tuna Pasta Salad, Vegan Sushi Bake, and Vegan Tunacado Sandwich.
Variations
- Swap or add to the Romaine - kale, arugula, or spinach.
- 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.
How To Make Vegan Caesar Salad
Here's the process - simple and easy. See the recipe card for details about the recipe.
Step 1: Place all the ingredients for the dressing in the blender.
Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust for flavor and add a teaspoon of water if necessary.
Step 3: Now, you can easily assemble this plant-based Caesar salad. Combine 4 ingredients: Romaine lettuce, vegan Caesar dressing, chickpeas, and 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.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve alongside a Best Vegan Lasagna With Tofu Ricotta or Vegan White Lasagna Soup.
- Use the salad to fill wraps with roasted veggies or crispy tofu like in Spicy Vegan Caesar Tofu Wrap.
- Add a handful of Caesar salad on top of a warm pizza like 100% Biga Neapolitan Pizza.
Recipe FAQS
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.
If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute cashews with sunflower seeds or silken tofu to achieve the creamy texture in the dressing.
Typically, homemade Caesar dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It thickens when it chills, so add a tablespoon of water at a time to loosen it up.
This Caesar is gluten-free just make sure the croutons are also gluten-free.
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.
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.
Vegan Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked for ~4 hours, then drained
- 2 tablespoons miso white (aka shiro miso)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice juice from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon capers heaping tablespoon with a teaspoon of the brine
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon nori flakes optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water add additional water to get to a consistency you like
Salad
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare Lettuce: Prepare the romaine lettuce you plan to consume by cutting it into bite-sized portions and thoroughly washing it. Dry it using either a salad spinner or a clean towel.
- Blend: In a blender or food processor, combine the dressing ingredients. Blend until smooth.
- Add: If the dressing is too thick, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Dress: Dress the lettuce. Toss them together until the salad is evenly coated.
- Incorporate: Add croutons, roasted chickpeas, and/or a protein of your choice.
Anonymous says
Amazing salad!
Nichole Oursler says
This is such a great alternative to a classic dish! I really appreciate the nutrition information and the short YouTube video - so helpful and well done. Thank you! 🙂
plantacoaching says
Thanks, Nichole! Glad you liked it!