The Best Vegan Caesar Dressing

This is seriously the best vegan Caesar dressing that you will ever taste! This rich and creamy dressing tastes like the real deal! Pour it over crisp romaine lettuce topped with croutons or tofu and it may be the most delicious vegan salad that you will ever eat!

You will LOVE this vegan Caesar because it’s…

• quick and easy to make.
• dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, so everyone can enjoy it. 
• incredibly close in a taste of traditional Caesar, yet made without dairy, eggs, and anchovies.
• simply delicious and completely addictive. 

What do I need to make homemade vegan Ceasar dressing?

• Oil – this is the base of the dressing.  It gives it a rich creamy flavor and makes it tastes like real Caesar. I think canola oil has the best flavor, but you can use another neutral tasting oil.  I would not recommend olive oil or any other oil with a strong flavor.
• Soy Milk – to make the dressing thick and creamy.  You can use other plant-based milk, but try to use one with high protein content.  
• Nutritional Yeast – to replace the cheese in traditional Caesar dressing.  The protein in the nooch also helps thicken the dressing.
• Kelp Flakes – to replace the anchovies in traditional Caesar. (optional)  This is simply ground seaweed to give it that fishy flavor. 
• Bragg’s Liquid Aminos – to replace the Warchestechire sauce in traditional Caesar.  They do make vegan Worcestershire sauce if you would like to use that instead of the Bragg’s liquid Aminos, however, just note that it is not gluten-free.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – for acidity with will give your dressing the right flavor and make the protein thicken.
• Lemon Juice – also for acidity and flavor and to help thicken the dressing.
• Salt – for flavor
• Pepper – for flavor.  Fresh ground pepper tastes best.  A little more sprinkled on your salad is delicious too!
• Dijon Mustard – for flavor (optional).

How do I make my own vegan Caesar dressing?

1. Put all the ingredients except water into a blender or immersion blender container
2. Blend until creamy.
3. Add a small amount of water if needed to thin the dressing.

It’s seriously that easy!

What gives this recipe an authentic Caesar flavor?

Non-vegan Caesar usually has anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, and cheese. It is easy to replace those flavors with some kelp flakes, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, and nutritional yeast. Once blended with soy milk, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar, it magically turns creamy and tastes like classic Caesar dressing!  The kelp flakes give it a slightly fishy flavor as anchovies would.  If you don’t like that, simply leave it out. 

How do I make a vegan Caesar salad?

1. Start with fresh crisp Romaine lettuce.
2. Wash it and pat dry with a paper towel, then cut or break it up into bite-sized pieces.
3. Top with some croutons and the vegan Caesar salad dressing and toss.
4. You can also add some vegan Parmesan cheese shreds if you would like (or make your own using my vegan parmesan cheese recipe).  I like it with some cherry tomatoes as well to give it a little extra color and flavor.

Tip: If you need gluten-free vegan croutons, they are hard to find in the store, but they are easy to make your own.  This is the method that I use.

Vegan Caesar salad modifications…

This salad is so good, my family eats it for dinner about once a week.  Any night that I want a super quick and easy dinner that the whole family will agree on, I make a huge bowl of this Caesar salad.  To make it more of a meal, I usually add some fried tofu, vegan popcorn chicken, or I fry up some vegan chicken strips or Butler Soy Curls to add some filling protein. 

How do I store my Caesar dressing and how long will it keep?

Store your dressing in a glass jar with a good seal in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I like to use an old dressing container that I have washed out to store my dressing.

Want another amazing creamy vegan salad dressing?

Try this vegan ranch dressing! It tastes just like a classic ranch, but without the dairy!

Want some other recipes that have a seafood flavor by using kelp flakes?

Make authentic tasting vegan “tuna” salad or a vegan tuna melt!  This vegan linguini with clam sauce recipe and vegan fish will amaze you too! 

Did you make this Caesar dressing recipe?  Leave a comment and rating below the post!

5 from 3 votes

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The Best Vegan Caesar Dressing

Prep Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

A classic tasting Caesar dressing to make a Caesar salad.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: gluten free, vegan

Keyword: gluten free vegan caesar, vegan Caesar, vegan caesar dressing

Servings: 16

Calories: 68 kcal

Author: Monica | The Hidden Veggies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/4 cup soy milk
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 2 tsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos or vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp kelp flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1-4 tbsp water

Instructions

For the vegan caesar dressing:

1. Put all of the above ingredients except for the water into a blender and blend until thick and creamy.

2. Add a water a sprinkle at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Recipe Notes

• The amount of water needed will depend on the type of soy milk that you use.
• The protein in the soy milk gives it the thick creamy texture.  If you choose to use a different type of non-dairy milk, it will not be as thick so you can omit the water.
• Make sure to use PLAIN milk and not vanilla!
• If you don't want a slight fish flavor, omit the kelp flakes. 
• Top the salad with grilled vegan "chicken" strips like Beyond Meat brand for more of a meal.

Nutrition Facts

The Best Vegan Caesar Dressing

Amount Per Serving (2 tbsp)

Calories 68 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 7g 11%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Sodium 119mg 5%

Potassium 26mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 1g 0%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 1g

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 0.3%

Vitamin C 0.6%

Calcium 0.5%

Iron 0.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.