Whenever I'm craving a savory salad, I make a vegan caesar salad with all the trimmings. Traditionally, caesar salad isn't vegan, but caesar salad can easily be altered and fabulously vegan with a few tweaks. It does, however, take a little creativity and some special ingredients to create an incredible vegan caesar salad. As with most of my recipes, I add a little something special because I love veggies, and the more, the merrier.
When the kids were little, I often made 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!
What ingredients are in vegan Caesar salad?
- Romaine Lettuce
- English Cucumber
- Grape Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Capers
- Oil-Free Crispy Garlic Croutons
- Homemade Vegan Caesar Dressing
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.
Traditional Caesar salad vs. Vegan Caesar Salad
According to the Food Network, a traditional Caesar salad contains an unbelievable amount of fat and calories.
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.;
How to make oil-free croutons
Most store-bought croutons contain oil and are deep-fried to attain that crunch! My oil-free croutons pack just as much crunch without any of the oil.
Oil-Free Croutons
- Dave's Multi-grain bread (or any bread of choice) FROZEN; gluten-free bread also works.
- Aquafaba (chickpea fluid) or almond milk will work as well
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Garlic salt
Vegan Caesar salad dressing to die for!
As with most GREAT salads, the dressing is always the deal-breaker! If you don't lick the fork after eating this vegan Caesar dressing, I'll be shocked.
The ingredients (MAKES 3/4-1 cup)
- Raw cashews, soaked overnight, drained
- Water + 2 Tablespoons
- Lemon juice (fresh is best)
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder
- Garlic cloves
- Vegan Worcestershire sauce (I use Wizard's gluten-free brand)
- Capers
- Fine-grain sea salt and pepper, or to taste
When I create a salad bar, my family gathers around and eats way more salad. Then, I watch them go back for seconds. In fact, sometimes the salad is the only part of dinner without leftovers the next day.
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.
Vegan Caesar Salad
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.
Ingredients
SALAD
- 2 large 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
- 1/2 cup capers
Oil-Free Crispy Garlic Croutons
- 4 slices Dave's Multi-grain bread (or any bread of choice) FROZEN; gluten-free bread also works
- 1/4 cup aquafaba (chickpea fluid) or almond milk will work as well
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 teaspoons garlic salt
CAESAR DRESSING (MAKES 3/4-1 cup)
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight, drained
- 1/4 cup water + 2 Tablespoons
- 3 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 small garlic clove (you can add another if you like it super potent)
- 1/2 Tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (I use Wizard's gluten-free brand)
- 2 teaspoons capers
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt and pepper, or to taste
Instructions
TO MAKE A SALAD BAR
- Separate all ingredients into separate bowls
- Make Oil-Free Crispy Garlic Croutons according to directions.
- Serve to dress on the side
DRESSING
- Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender
- Blend on high until smooth
- Place in container and chill until ready to serve
- Serve on the side for a salad bar
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Anthony's Premium Nutritional Yeast Flakes, 1lb, Fortified, Gluten Free, Non GMO, Vegan -
Raw Cashews, 1 Pound – Deluxe Whole Nuts, Unsalted, Unroasted Fancy Snack, Size W-320, Kosher, Vegan, Bulk, A good source of Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper & Manganese -
NutriBullet Pro 900 Hi-Speed Blender/Mixer, 9-piece Set
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! 🙂
Kathleen
I thought nonstick pans had chemicals
Kathy Carmichael
Kathleen, I use Green Pans and Copper Pans, and I love both brands.