Vegan Caesar Salad

This Vegan Caesar Salad has my heart. But really, is there any taste box that the Caesar salad cannot tick? Salty, creamy, umami – it’s complete gastronomic satisfaction in a relatively simple salad. No wonder it has been a restaurant staple for nearly 100 years!

But there is no need to head out to a restaurant to experience all these flavors. We have created an ultra-simple Caesar dressing recipe, allowing you to prepare a restaurant-quality salad at home.

Thanks to the inclusion of hummus, you don’t need to soak and blend cashews, meaning you can have this ready to go in just a few minutes!

Simply prepare, blend, and pour over crisp leaves for the perfect summer appetizer or side salad, or pair your salad with some protein (and a cold glass of chardonnay!) for a blissful entrée when dining al fresco.

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What is Caesar Salad?

If you’ve never heard of a Caesar salad, then where have you been?

Forget about ancient Rome – surprisingly, we only have to go back to 1924 for the origins of this classic dish. The salad is attributed to the Italian restaurateur Caesar Cardini, who had to improvise with ingredients after running out of supplies at his hotel in Tijuana in 1924.

The innovative chef then added flair to this now famous salad by preparing and tossing it at the tables of his diners.

Today, the Caesar salad remains a prominent menu item around the world with many variations, although all featuring that distinctive rich dressing that combines creamy, salty and umami flavors.

Is Caesar Salad Vegan?

Traditionally, Caesar Salad is not vegan due to the presence of egg yolk, anchovies, Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce in the dressing.

Luckily you don’t have to miss out on these wonderful flavors, as plant-based alternatives can deliver the same satisfaction.

Is this Caesar Salad Gluten-Free?

Yes, this dressing recipe is indeed gluten-free! If you are gluten intolerant, the only thing to consider for this recipe is whether you add croutons to your salad, and which ones you choose to use, as most bread croutons will contain gluten. 

Is Caesar Salad Easy to Make?

Yes, this is a very simple recipe. Aside from blending together all the ingredients for the dressing, chopping your lettuce, and shaving your parmesan, there is little you have to do.

How to Make Vegan Caesar Salad

While the lettuce should be crispy and the croutons crunchy, the most important aspect of any Caesar salad is the dressing. Nail the dressing, and you have a salad that will steal the show.

In our recipe, we use hummus for a creamy texture, with lemon juice for some tang, Dijon mustard for some spice, and capers to offer a briny flavor in lieu of anchovies.

It’s easy to make. Gather the ingredients together (apart from the oil) and add them all into a high-speed blender. Whizz everything together and add in the olive oil little by little. When complete, it’s ready to pour over your salad. Voilá!

What is Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing Made of?

The dressing is made from whole-food ingredients including:

• Hummus
• Cloves garlic
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Capers
• Sherry vinegar
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil

When ready, add the dressing to a salad that includes fresh romaine or cos lettuce leaves, crunchy croutons, and ample shavings of vegan parmesan.

Tips For the Best Vegan Caesar Salad

Before you serve, submerge your lettuce into a bowl of iced water as this will give the leaves a refreshing bite. Just remember to dry the leaves properly, so the dressing will stick perfectly.

If you want to make your Caesar salad a main meal, consider adding in some grilled plant-based chicken fillet strips or some seasoned, roast and shredded king oyster mushrooms.

For some additional protein and a healthier twist, you can also substitute bread croutons for roasted chickpeas.

FAQ

– How to Store Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing

When you have blended the ingredients into the dressing, pour the liquid into an airtight jar or bottle and you can store it in the refrigerator for up to six days.

– Can You Freeze Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing?

No. The flavors and consistency of the dressing will not freeze well. It’s always best to make this fresh and store it in the refrigerator.

– Can You Make Caesar Salad Ahead of Time?

Partly! You can make the dressing in our recipe up to six days in advance (providing it is stored in an airtight container). You can also prepare the lettuce, croutons and other ingredients so that they are ready to go.

However, when you have mixed the dressing and other ingredients together, you should serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

– How Long Does Vegan Caesar Salad Last?

Serving Caesar salad immediately is the recipe for success, although if you have made too much or there are leftovers, you can store the mixed salad for later.

Place it in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. The sooner you eat it, the better it will be, but it will last for around three to four days.

– Is Vegan Caesar Salad Healthy?

When it comes to salads, Caesar may top the list for taste, although, traditionally, it isn’t seen as the healthiest salad.

However, making it vegan to the recipe we have created certainly helps. For example, our recipe includes plenty of whole foods and minimally processed ingredients instead of eggs or dairy.

Plus, by making it fresh, you can avoid some of the preservatives and artificial ingredients you may find in store-bought dressings.

Note that when making the salad, you can consider replacing the vegan parmesan with nutritional yeast (aka, “nooch”) for an added health boost.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photos with @healthiir on Instagram!