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    Home / Recipes / Vegan Salads

    Vegan Caesar Salad

    Published: Mar 31, 2023 · Modified: Mar 31, 2023 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Vegan Caesar salad is a copycat version of a traditional Caesar salad, veganized for plant-based salad lovers. You will love this vegan Caesar salad recipe.

    Vegan Caesar salad in a bowl on the table.

    Whenever I'm craving a savory salad, I make a vegan caesar salad with all the trimmings. With a few tweaks, I transform a tradition Caesar salad into a vegan Caesar salad recipe. It does, however, take a little creativity and some special ingredients to create an incredible vegan caesar salad recipe. As with most of my recipes, I add a little something special because I love veggies, and the more, the merrier. 

    Jump to:
    • Vegan Caesar Salad Ingredients 
    • Vegan Caesar Salad Ingredient Substitutions
    • Traditional Caesar Salad vs. Vegan Caesar Salad
    • Crouton Ingredients
    • Crouton Ingredient Substitutions
    • Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients
    • Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredient Substitutions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips
    • Delicious Vegan Salad Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    I often set up a mini salad bar as part of dinner to make salad fun at my house. Instead of choosing what goes in everyone's bowls, I let the kids choose. As a result, the kiddos learned to grab more veggies and soon became fast-loving salad fans.

    Vegan Caesar salad, for instance, is one of my family's favorite salads, so I veganized it for them! 

    Vegan Caesar Salad Ingredients 

    Because traditional Caesar salad contains a whole bunch of animal-based products, such as parmesan cheese, anchovies, egg, and buttery croutons, my plant-based Caesar salad contains less than half of the calories and fat in a traditional Caesar salad. 

    • Romaine Lettuce: The most nutritious lettuce is Romaine. Compared to red leaf, green leaf, butterhead (Boston and bib types), and iceberg, it delivers more folate, potassium, beta carotene, and lutein.
    • English Cucumber: An English cucumber is generally sweeter than the regular, common cucumber with many large seeds, contributing to their bitter flavor. In addition, the skin is thinner than a slicing cucumber and therefore doesn't need to be peeled.
    • Grape Tomatoes: A Grape Tomato is shaped like a typical grape – most grow longer and oval. In comparison, a typical Cherry Tomato is shaped like a cherry – most grow perfectly round!
    • Red Onion: Red onions are rich in anthocyanins, powerful plant pigments that may protect against heart disease, certain types of cancer, and diabetes.
    • Capers: These small, green buds can lend a piquant sour and salty flavor to many other recipes. There's little prep needed, and they can be added to salads (including pasta and potato salads), used as a condiment or garnish, or chopped finely for dressings and sauces.
    • Croutons: I make oil-free crispy garlic croutons
    • Homemade Vegan Caesar Dressing: I make vegan Caesar dressing which is included in this post.
    • Vegan Parmesan Cheese: My blend of cashews and seasonings makes a perfect vegan parmesan topping for extra cheesy goodness.

    Vegan Caesar Salad Ingredient Substitutions

    • Choose any preferred greens, such as spinach, kale, collard greens, or red leaf lettuce.
    • Regular cucumbers work, but I suggest removing the seeds to reduce the moisture in the salad.
    • Cherry tomatoes are an excellent substitute for grape tomatoes.
    • Yellow onions or green onions replace red onions in recipes.
    • If you don't like capers, skip this ingredient.
    • Try a bottled vegan Caesar dressing if you don't want to make your own.
    Vegan Caesar salad recipe in a bowl on the counter.

    Traditional Caesar Salad vs. Vegan Caesar Salad

    According to the Food Network, a traditional Caesar salad recipe contains an unbelievable amount of fat and calories. 

    Therefore, a traditional Caesar salad has 470 calories, 40 grams of fat (9 grams of saturated), and 1070 milligrams of sodium. Even the “side salad” boasts 362 calories, 26 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, and 913 milligrams of sodium.

    Unfortunately, many people confuse salad with healthy food without thinking about the ingredients. 

    On the other hand, my vegan caesar salad is only 116 calories, with 3 grams of unsaturated fat and 565 milligrams of sodium. Yet, this one tastes just as good or better than that fattening version.; 

    Crouton Ingredients

    Garlic croutons in a bowl on the table.

    Although most store-bought croutons contain oil, my oil-free croutons pack just as much crunch without any of the oil. 

    • Dave's Multi-Grain Bread: The bread needs to be frozen to make the perfect croutons.
    • Aquafaba (Chickpea Fluid): The sticky aquafaba fluid in the can is a great oil substitute and helps the seasoning stick to the bread.
    • Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is ground garlic and adds a beautiful flavor to the croutons.
    • Onion Powder: Onion powder adds another level of flavor.
    • Garlic Salt: Garlic salt adds another layer of garlic and the salt component to the croutons.

    Crouton Ingredient Substitutions

    • Use any frozen bread. Choose gluten-free bread for gluten-free croutons.
    • Brush the frozen bread with unsweetened, unflavored plant-based milk instead of aquafaba.
    • Choose any seasoning combination.
    • For spicy croutons, add a small amount of cayenne pepper.

    Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients

    Dressing in a ball jar on the counter with ingredients in bowls in the background.

    And with most GREAT salads, the dressing steals the show! Try not to lick the fork after eating this vegan Caesar dressing. 

    • Raw Cashews: Soak the raw cashews overnight to soften the cashews if you don't have a high-speed blender.
    • Water: The water thins the dressing and acts as oil in neutralizing the dressing.
    • Lemon Juice: I prefer using fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
    • Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard is tangy and gives the caesar dressing texture and immense flavor.
    • Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is ground garlic.
    • Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic gives the dressing a warm, earthy taste.
    • Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: I like Wizard's gluten-free brand
    • Capers: Capers are salty and add texture and flavor.
    • Salt/Pepper to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste. I prefer fresh ground pepper.

    Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredient Substitutions

    • Choose hemp seeds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
    • Or, use white beans or silken tofu in place of the cashews.
    • Use bottled lemon juice if fresh lemon juice isn't available.
    • Stone Ground mustard is an excellent replacement for dijon mustard.
    • Instead of vegan Worcestershire sauce, use 1 Tablespoon of soy sauce for every Tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
    • Green olives replace capers or skip the capers if you don't like them.
    Salad dressed with salad dressing on a plate with a fork.

    When I create a salad bar, my family gathers around and eats more salad. Then, I watch them go back for seconds. Sometimes the salad is the only part of dinner without leftovers the next day.

    Recipe FAQs

    What can I use to replace anchovies in a vegan Caesar salad?

    The capers are a great substitute for anchovies in traditional caesar dressing. Capers are thankfully vegetarian-friendly. They're stored in a salty brine and have an amazing olive or lemony flavor.

    What is a substitute for capers?

    Green olives are often substituted for capers in recipes.

    What are capers made of?

    The plant is best known for the edible flower buds (capers), used as a seasoning or garnish, and the fruit (caper berries), which are usually salted or pickled. Other species of Capparis are also picked along with C. spinosa for their buds or fruits.

    Tips

    • Soak the raw cashews overnight if you don't have a quality, high-speed blender.
    • Wait to add the croutons or dress the salad until serving time.
    • Make the Caesar dressing ahead of time, so it thickens and chills in the refrigerator.
    • The dressing stays fresh for 5 days in the refrigerator.
    • Keep the croutons in a dry space, covered. Please don't refrigerate the croutons.
    • Prepare individual salads or make a salad bar for people to choose their toppings.

    Delicious Vegan Salad Recipes

    • Thai noodle salad
      Vegan Thai Noodle Salad
    • Cold Green Bean Salad
    • zucchini noodle salad recipe
      Fresh Summer Zucchini Noodle Salad
    • Summer Couscous Salad Recipe
      Summer Couscous Salad Recipe

    And I don't know about you, but that's a win at my house. So, bring on the vegan Caesar salad for your hungry crew.

    📖 Recipe

    vegan caesar salad

    Vegan Caesar Salad

    Kathy Carmichael
    Vegan Caesar salad is a copycat version of a traditional Caesar salad, veganized for plant-based salad lovers. Oil-free, down to the croutons, this vegan Caesar salad is savory and delicious with all the tasty flavors in a Caesar salad just healthier.
    4.60 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 138 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Salad Ingredients

    • 2 heads Romaine Lettuce cut or ripped into bite-sized pieces
    • 1 English cucumber sliced thin
    • 2 cups grape tomatoes cut in half
    • 1 red onion cut in half, and sliced thin
    • ½ cup capers
    • vegan parmesan cheese optional

    Oil-Free Crispy Garlic Croutons

    • 1 recipe garlic croutons

    Caesar Dressing (Makes ¾-1 cup)

    • 1 Recipe Vegan Caesar Dressing

    Instructions
     

    Making a Salad Bar

    • Separate all ingredients into separate bowls
    • Make Crispy, Oil-free Croutons.
    • Serve to dress on the side

    Vegan Caesar Dressing

    • Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender.
    • Blend on high until smooth.
    • Place the dressing into a container and chill until ready to serve.
    • Serve on the side for a salad bar.

    Notes

    • Soak the raw cashews overnight if you don't have a quality, high-speed blender.
    • Wait to add the croutons or dress the salad until serving time.
    • Make the Caesar dressing ahead of time so it thickens and chills in the refrigerator.
    • The dressing stays fresh for 5 days in the refrigerator.
    • Keep the croutons in a dry space, covered. Please don't refrigerate the croutons.
    • Prepare individual salads or make a salad bar for people to choose their toppings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 6gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.004gSodium: 443mgPotassium: 661mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 13999IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 3mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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      4.60 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Elena

      July 23, 2023 at 12:21 pm

      Love the salad and especially the caesar dressing! The salad bar idea works perfectly in my house since there are picky eaters. Thanks Kathy for a great summer meal!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        July 23, 2023 at 7:54 pm

        Hi Elena, Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed the salad. I always make taco, salad, potato, and pasta bars for the same reason; picky eaters. You have to please them all 🙂 Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it.

        Reply
    2. Kathleen

      April 06, 2020 at 11:05 am

      I thought nonstick pans had chemicals

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        April 06, 2020 at 1:21 pm

        Kathleen, I use Green Pans and Copper Pans, and I love both brands.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kathy! I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based recipes. I believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet!

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