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This Vegan Caesar Dressing is the best vegan version out there! It’s easy to make with less than 10 ingredients and instantly takes any kale caesar salad or vegan wrap to the next level. You’re going to want to have this tangy, creamy salad dressing and dip on hand at all times! 
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Is Traditional Caesar Dressing Vegan?
Traditional Caesar Dressing is not vegan-friendly as it typically contains anchovies (a type of fish), raw egg yolks, and dairy-based parmesan cheese. In fact, because of the anchovies, Caesar salad isn’t vegetarian, either! But while this means you likely can’t order a dairy-free Caesar dressing at a local restaurant, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious vegan salad dressing on a plant-based diet.
We’ve created our own vegan-friendly Caesar salad dressing recipe that tastes EXACTLY like the classic Caesar dressing we grew up with! Seriously – you can trust me when I say that it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. Plus, it’s made entirely from real food ingredients you can feel good about indulging in every single week!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Raw cashews: Unsalted, raw cashews are a classic choice when making creamy vegan sauces and dressings. They’re neutral in flavor, easy to blend into a creamy texture using a high powered blender, and a great plant-based source of healthy fats. In this recipe, raw cashews replace the traditional mayonnaise most caesar salads start with, making it naturally oil-free and suitable for whole food plant-based diets!
- Lemon juice: Most caesar dressing is creamy, but also bright and tangy. To replicate this flavor, you’ll need fresh lemon juice (avoid the pre-bottled stuff!).
- Nutritional yeast: Adds cheesiness without any dairy. If you have it, you could also add or replace the nutritional yeast with your favorite vegan parmesan cheese.
- Dijon mustard: Adds additional tanginess and helps to emulsify and stabilize the dressing ingredients. If preferred, you can also opt for yellow mustard, though this will make your caesar dressing more mild in flavor.
- Vegan Worcestershire: Used as a substitute for traditional Worcestershire sauce that contains anchovies. It adds the same rich, umami flavor, yet is entirely anchovies-free!
- Capers: An essential in any creamy vegan caesar dressing! Capers add a great briny flavor that adds depth and complexity of flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds the perfect subtle garlicky taste. For the best flavor, we recommend fresh garlic over garlic powder, but garlic powder will work in a pinch.
For full measurements and recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Equipment Needed
- Small pot
- Fine mesh sieve (for draining cashews)
- High-speed blender
- Airtight container (for storing)
How to Make Vegan Caesar Dressing
- Soften the cashews. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add the raw cashews. Let the cashews soak for at least 20 minutes or until softened.
- Blend all ingredients. Drain the cashews and add them to a high-speed blender along with the remaining ingredients. Process until smooth and season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Add a splash of water as needed to reach your perfect dressing-like consistency.
- Chill, then enjoy! Transfer the vegan Caesar salad dressing to an airtight container, such as a glass jar, and refrigerate until chilled. Then, use as desired!
Serving Suggestions
Vegan Caesar salad dressing isn’t just for making vegan Caesar salad! This creamy dressing is also the perfect, tangy addition to wraps, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, pasta salad, or grilled plant-based proteins. You can even use it as a great dip for your favorite raw veggies – the options are really endless.
To inspire you, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite blog recipes that are absolutely delicious paired with vegan Caesar:
- Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad (made with our homemade vegan parmesan and crispy chickpea croutons)
- Vegan Mushroom Caesar Salad Wraps
- Oyster Mushroom Sandwiches
- Grilled Romaine Lettuce
- Grilled Vegetable Salad
- Simple Roasted Vegetables
Recipe FAQs
We haven’t tested it, but replacing the cashews with raw sunflower seeds would likely be the best nut-free option. Or, try our Classic Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe. Instead of whole nuts and seeds, it’s made with store-bought versions of vegan mayonnaise and vegan sour cream, many of which are naturally nut-free.
If you are out of vegan Worcestershire sauce or can’t find a store-bought version in a grocery store near you, replace the 1/2 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce with 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/8 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon sugar, and a small dash of hot sauce.
This delicious dressing is not only 100% vegan but 100% gluten-free, too! If you are celiac or are sensitive to cross-contamination, double-check that the vegan Worcestershire sauce is made in a facility that does not process nuts.
Storage Instructions
This plant-based dressing will last for 1 week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. We love meal prepping it on Sunday nights and drizzling it on anything that needs a flavor boost throughout the week.
More Homemade Vegan Dressings You May Enjoy:
Dressings
Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing
Dips Spreads & Sauces
Oil-Free Vegan Ranch Dressing (8-Ingredients)
Dressings
Easy Avocado Dressing Recipe
Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you recreate any of our recipes, we love to see your photos!
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The Best Vegan Caesar Dressing Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3/4-1 cup dressing; 6 (2 tablespoon) servings
Description
This Vegan Caesar Dressing is the best vegan version out there! It’s easy to make with less than 10 ingredients and instantly takes any kale caesar salad or vegan wrap to the next level. You’re going to want to have this tangy, creamy salad dressing and dip on hand at all times!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire
- 2 teaspoons capers, drained
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, remove it fro heat. Add in the raw cashews and allow them to soak for 20 minutes, or until softened.
- Drain the cashews and add them into a high-speed blender along with the remaining ingredients, except for the salt and pepper. Process until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more water if necessary to reach a dressing like consistency.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dressing, Salad
- Cuisine: Vegan, Oil-free
Nutrition facts label provided by Nutri Fox.
Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links, which simply means that we earn a commission if you purchase through those links, but your price remains the same. Thank you for supporting Sweet Simple Vegan!
I have made this twice now. The first time I didn’t have capers, so I used some green olives. I had to use quite a bit, but it was good. The second time I was prepared and had the capers, but I left out the worcerstershire sauce as it was too strong for my liking, but it was still really good both times. I plan to make this my go to for dressing. Thank you!
The only caesar recipe I’ll use. Even my picky non vegan daughter in law loves this and my son said ‘this is legit caesar’. Thank you for a great, delicious, simple recipe.
LOVE this dressing!!
I eat it everyday, on a salad with romaine, homemade coconut bacon, and homemade vegan parmesan.
I make two double batches and I keep one in the freezer. Take it out when the first batch runs out, add a bit of water the next day if it’s too thick from freezing. SO GOOD.
If I run out of vegan Worcestershire sauce, I use the recipe from above, but I add a little pickle jar juice. Trust me, it’s incredible.
To the creator of this recipe, I love you for sharing your secrets. Never could’ve come up with this on my own ❤️
Excellent and i usually dont enjoy oil free nut dressings- capers are a cood idea – i doubled the garlic
How long will this last in the refrigerator ?
About a week!
This is delish, Jasmine! I had a kale Caesar a few days ago at True Food Kitchen and I’ve been obsessed ever since! Glad to find an oil free version…it’s a keeper!
Is there any replacement for the vegan Worcestershire sauce ? I can’t find it in stores near me. Would soy sauce work?
I have not tested this with sou sauce but I found online that this will work: If you’re out of Worcestershire sauce, use 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon sugar and a dash of hot sauce for every tablespoon Worcestershire the recipe calls for.
I LOVE this dressing!!! I followed another commenter’s tip to use pickle juice in place of Vegan Worsterchire, which I didn’t have. It came out phenomenal! I’m not vegan but I will be checking this site for more delicious recipes!
what high speed blender do you guys use!?
We use our roomates vitamix and ninja blenders! 🙂