Vegan Caesar Dressing
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Vegan Caesar Dressing that tastes like the real thing! Creamy and bursting with savory goodness, this dressing is ready in just 5 minutes.
This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Caesar salad dressing without the anchovies? Yes please!
This dressing is creamy, garlicky, briny, and really does taste a lot like the real thing. It also happens to be good for you, with no oil, eggs, anchovies or even vegan mayonnaise!
The ingredients
- Raw cashews
- Water
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Capers
- Vegan Worcestershire sauce (optional but good)
- Salt
How to make it
First things first, you have to soak the cashews. I heat up water in my tea kettle, and pour it over the cashews. If you have a high powered blender, you only need them to soak for a few minutes, about 5. If you don’t have a high powered blender, let them soak overnight or at least a few hours to get the nuts really soft.
Next, drain the cashews, and add to a blender along with the rest of the ingredients.
Blend until very smooth!
Do I need a high powered blender?
This dressing works best with a high powered blender like a Vitamix, but is possible without one. You will need to soak the cashews a bit longer to get them soft enough to blend. The dressing will be much smoother and creamier if you have a Vitamix or something like it.
How long will it keep?
The dressing keeps for about 1 week in the refrigerator, in a covered container, glass preferred. It also freezes well, as do most cashew based sauces and dressings.
Is there a nut-free version?
If you have a nut allergy, you can make this replacing the cashews and water with 3/4 cup vegan mayonnaise. If you want an oil free and nut free option, use my Tofu Mayonnaise.
Are croutons vegan?
Most croutons you can buy at stores are NOT vegan friendly, unfortunately. They often have cheese or milk in them, so check the labels carefully. I found these croutons on Amazon that are actually vegan. Or you can make your own!
I also love making “chickpea croutons”, which are basically just flavored and roasted crunchy chickpeas. You can find how I do this on another vegan caesar salad I posted a few years ago.
More salad dressings you might enjoy
- Vegan Green Goddess Dressing
- Best Homemade Vegan Ranch
- Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing (or dip)
- Lemon Maple Tahini Dressing
Vegan Caesar Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained
- 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce, optional but good
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For serving:
- 6-8 cups chopped romaine, kale or a mix
- vegan croutons
- Vegan Parmesan
Instructions
- Soak the raw cashew pieces in hot water for 5 minutes. I heat up water in my electric kettle and pour it over the cashews to soak. If you don't have a high powered blender, you should soak them longer, several hours or overnight in order to get them very soft.
- Drain the cashews and add to your blender. Add the remaining ingredients, including 3/4 cup fresh water, and blend until very smooth.
- Serve with chopped romaine/kale or a mix, with vegan croutons and optional Vegan Parmesan for a delicious Caesar Salad. Enjoy!
Notes
- Dressing will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator, and can be frozen.
- If you can't have nuts, you can substitute 3/4 cup vegan mayonnaise for the cashews and water. You will still need to blend in order to get the capers smooth. Or try my tofu mayonnaise if you want an oil free nut free recipe.
Nutrition
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30 Comments on “Vegan Caesar Dressing”
Best cashew-based dressing we’ve ever had. I broke the vegan cardinal rule and used regular Worcestershire sauce.
I am glad you love the dressing! Thank you for sharing your review!
I left out the capers because I don’t care for them and used soy sauce instead of vegan Worcestershire sauce and added a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. Served over a mix of kale and romaine with homemade croutons. SO GOOD!!!
Thank you for sharing you review Kylie! I’m glad you love the dressing!
loved it, but I added more garlic and 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast. tasted like caesar dressjng, Ive tried a few other recipes and havent come close to the taste . So thanks again for amazing easy recipe.
Glad you loved the dressing, Kaye. Thank you for sharing your comments!
What do I do if I don’t have any Dijon mustard? I love this recipe and everyone I know does too. I make it for people all the time!
You can totally leave it out, it will still be good! Thanks so much, I’m glad to hear that!
I liked this dressing, although I felt like the lemon juice and dijon mustard were a bit too strong in flavour – so I’d go a bit easy on that next time. With all that being said, though – I LOVE your recipes and am so grateful for them as a new vegan! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much! Feel free to adjust to your own tastes. 🙂
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST! This Caesar Dressing is better than any bottled dressing-vegan or cow’s milk based! Delicious and so easy to make.
Thanks so much!
How long is this good for in the fridge? Thanks!
About 4-5 days. Thanks!
This was Really Good!
I didn’t have Capers so substituted Kalamata Olives and
probably will continue with that combo. I used a standard blender with a very high speed and the dressing came out very creamy. We’ve had it 3 nights in a row now and are loving it. Thanks for the great recipe.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
This dressing is AMAZING thank you for sharing, this has been on repeat at our house!
You’re welcome! Glad you like it!
Delicious! And so easy to make
Thanks!
Best vegan Caesar salad dressing I’ve ever made. Easiest too!
That’s wonderful! I love hearing that.
Just made this recipe. It’s amazingly creamy & yummy! Can’t wait to have it tonight with my buffalo cauliflower “wings”. ThNk you and Happy New Year ?
You’re welcome! Glad it was great!
Thank you for sharing your recipes. I watched a non vegan one and then compared it to your recipe to see what the flavor profiles of Cesar dressing are. I used mayo instead of the cashew+ water (because I’m on a budget) and I added 1/4 cup of Follow Your Heart parmesan cheese and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Blended it all in my smoothie blender. I think either there was too much lemon or mustard to my liking. It was a bit citrus-y for me. Lol I would just add less lemon juice next time per my personal taste. I appreciate you and your blog so very much. Thank you for doing what you do! For sharing your knowledge and expertise and filling us with this knowledge and love (I say love because you are sharing your recipe, even though you don’t have to). Have a wonderful day!
Thanks so much for the comment!
I’ve made several vegan caesar dressings and this one is by far the best and reminiscent of the non vegan version. Great recipe!
Thanks so much! This comment means a lot. 🙂
This is such a great recipe! Simple and so DELICIOUS!! I’ve been looking for a good vegan Caesar dressing and this is it!
This was delicious! My new favorite dressing! Thank you!