It’s a healthy, easy-to make, plant-based option for vegan cashew Caesar dressing. Ready in just 5 minutes. Full of flavor, tangy and creamy. This recipe is oil-free, dairy-free, egg-free and gluten-free.
Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. However you can find important tips/tricks in the post like how to store and nutritional information.
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Why This Dressing Works
- Oil-free and dairy-free
- This dressing is easy and quick to make.
- It goes great with a salad, as a dip for veggies or veggie burger’s.
- Helps you avoid any processed ingredients, preservatives and extra added sugars from store bought dressings.
- Cheaper!
Ingredients
Vegan Cashew Caesar dressing is easy to make; with ingredients that are most likely already in your pantry. You’ll need:
- Raw cashews - for a smooth and creamy base.
- Capers - to replace anchovies in traditional recipe. Add a briny flavor.
- Nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor
- Dijon Mustard - add tanginess
- Maple Syrup
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to the blender and secure lid.
Step 2: Select speed 1, turn the machine on and slowly increase to the highest speed.
Step 3: Blend for 30 seconds; stopping to scrape the sides as needed, until dressing is smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed
For a thicker dressing, use less water.
Step 4: Store in container in the fridge for up to a week.
How To Serve
Classic Vegan Caesar salad is quick and simple and includes salad greens, dressing and croutons. We like to use massaged kale for the salad greens, almonds and dried onions as a gluten-free crunchy option.
Tenderizing Kale For Salad
First prepare the kale by removing the stems from the greens. Chop the greens into bite size pieces. Rinse in colander under water. Let greens dry (can use salad spinner to dry).
Kale is tough and fibrous when compared to greens like spinach. Massaging it with salt and lemon help to soften the kale.
Drizzle kale with oil and lemon juice. Add a little salt. Massage by rubbing the leaves between your hands for 1-2 minutes, until softened and tender. You'll notice that the kale will reduce. Make sure you don't massage for too long, or it will become mushy.
The kale is ready for making salads. Assemble vegan caesar salad.
Besides using it as a salad dressing, you can use this caesar dressing as a:
- Dip – dip for raw veggies and vegan cauliflower wings.
- Spread – On burgers and sandwiches.
- For Artichoke - Try it with steamed artichokes in place of aioli sauce.
Storage
Store - in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week. The dressing gets thicker as it cools, great for dipping! If needed you can always add more water to thin out if needed.
Make Ahead - The Caesar dressing can be made in advance you can make a quick weekday lunch or dinner.
More Easy Recipes
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below & if you REALLY like it, consider a comment down below. Thanks!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Cashew Caesar Dressing
Equipment
- High Power Blender - i.e. Vitamix
Ingredients
- ½ cup Raw cashews
- ½ cup Water - depending on how thick you like your dressing add more water as needed.
- ¼ cup Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Capers
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the blender and secure lid.½ cup Raw cashews, ¼ cup Lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Capers, 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast, 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard, 1 tablespoon Maple syrup, ½ teaspoon Garlic powder, ½ cup Water
- Select speed 1, turn the machine on and slowly increase to the highest speed.
- Blend for 30 seconds; stopping to scrape the sides as needed, until dressing is smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed
- For a thicker dressing, use less water.
- Store in container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
Nutrition
These nutritional figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe.
If you give this gluten free vegan recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, or take a picture and tag and us on Instagram at #thevgnway.
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The Vgn Way
Erica Wright
This caser dressing was so simple to make and GOOD. Most of the time I just use oil and vinegar because I'm to lazy to make anything else but this got the job done. Thanks!