Vegan Caesar Dressing

Caesar salad deserves better than a store-bought dressing that almost gets it right. This vegan Caesar dressing brings all the bold, creamy, garlicky goodness you want—without the eggs, mayo, or mystery ingredients. It’s rich, tangy, and packed with umami, thanks to a punchy mix of lemon, Dijon, capers, and toasted nori. And the best part? It comes together in five minutes, zero fuss.

Whether you’re a salad devotee or just here for the croutons, this homemade, dairy-free Caesar dressing is about to become your new go-to. Drizzle it over crisp romaine, toss it into grain bowls, or use it as a dip for roasted veggies. No soaking cashews, or complicated steps. Just big flavor in minutes with this Caesar dressing—no mayo required.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Caesar Dressing

Not all Caesar dressings are created equal, and this one nails the classic flavors without the dairy, eggs, or anchovies. It’s rich, briny, and creamy—without being heavy or fussy. Plus, it’s made with real ingredients you probably already have.

• No mayo, no cashews, no soaking required: Many vegan Caesar dressings rely on mayo or soaked nuts—this one skips the extra steps but keeps the creamy texture.
• Bold, briny, and perfectly balanced: A mix of Dijon, capers, and toasted nori brings the umami depth that traditional Caesar dressing gets from anchovies.
• Ready in five minutes: Just toss everything into a blender, whip up, and you’re good to go.
• Perfect for more than just salad: Drizzle it on grain bowls, roasted veggies, or even use it as a dip for crispy tofu.
• Meal prep gold: It keeps well in the fridge for a week, making meal prep for salads and vegan snacks easier all week long.

What Makes a Caesar Dressing ‘Caesar’?

A great Caesar dressing has a very specific vibe: it’s rich, garlicky, tangy, and packed with umami. Traditional versions get there with egg yolks, Parmesan, and anchovies, but this vegan twist keeps all the flavor without the need for egg, dairy, or seafood.

The magic is in the balance: lemon for brightness, Dijon for zip, capers for that salty brininess, and toasted nori for that subtle, ocean-y depth. No mayo, no cashews—just big, bold Caesar energy in minutes. It’s everything you love about the classic, made completely plant-based.

Key Ingredients

This vegan Caesar dressing keeps it simple, using just a handful of powerhouse ingredients to recreate that rich, briny, creamy magic. Here’s what makes it work:

• Olive oil: The silky base. Olive oil is the secret to that creamy texture, creating a silky, restaurant-level Caesar dressing, no mayo required. It blends effortlessly with lemon, Dijon, and capers, letting the bold flavors shine.
• Garlic: The backbone of Caesar. You can’t have Caesar dressing without a punch of garlicky goodness. It’s what gives the dressing its signature bite and depth.
• Lemon: Bright, fresh, and essential. Adds the perfect amount of acidity to cut through the richness, making every bite pop.
• Capers: The secret to briny, umami depth. These little flavor bombs mimic the role of anchovies, bringing a salty, ocean-y hit that makes the dressing taste right.
• Dijon mustard: Adds tang and helps it emulsify. A touch of Dijon gives boldness and a velvety consistency, keeping the dressing smooth and spoonable.
• Nori: The stealthy anchovy swap. Toasted nori (yep, seaweed!) brings a subtle, salty depth that replaces the fishy notes of traditional Caesar dressing—without being overpowering.

How To Make

This vegan Caesar dressing is creamy, garlicky, and loaded with umami, all in just five minutes. The blender does all the work, making this recipe smooth, foolproof, and packed with flavor. For full details, scroll to the recipe card at the end of this post!

• Step 1: Gather and prep your ingredients. Peel the garlic cloves, squeeze the lemon for fresh juice, and measure out your olive oil, capers, Dijon mustard, and toasted nori. The key to great flavor is using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Step 2: Blend it up. Add olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, capers, Dijon mustard, toasted nori, salt, and black pepper to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. This step ensures all the ingredients emulsify perfectly, creating a rich, velvety dressing.
• Step 3: Taste and adjust. Give the dressing a taste—want it brighter? Add a squeeze of lemon. Need more depth? A pinch of extra salt or an extra dash of capers will do the trick.
• Step 4: Serve or store. Pour the dressing into a mason jar or airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to one week. If it thickens too much when chilled, whisk in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice before serving.
• Step 5: Enjoy on everything. Drizzle over salads, roasted veggies, grain bowls, or even as a dip for crispy tofu or fries. This dairy-free Caesar dressing is versatile, bold, and ready to upgrade your meals.

How to Serve

A good Caesar dressing isn’t just for salad—it’s a multi-purpose flavor bomb waiting to be drizzled, dipped, and spread onto everything. This dairy-free Caesar dressing brings creamy, briny magic to more than just romaine, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Here are some ideas to get you started!

• Classic Caesar salad: The obvious choice, but it hits every time. Toss it with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and a sprinkle of vegan parm for the real deal.
• Kale Caesar: Sturdier greens like kale soak up all the garlicky goodness. Massage the dressing into the leaves to soften them, then top with roasted chickpeas.
• As a dip for roasted veggies: Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, or crispy potatoes dunked in Caesar dressing > basic ketchup. Trust us on this!
• Spread it on sandwiches & wraps: Skip the plain mayo and smear this on your next veggie-packed sandwich or wrap. Works wonders on anything with grilled tofu or tempeh.
• Drizzle over grain bowls: Warm quinoa or farro + crispy chickpeas + roasted veg + this dressing = perfection!
• Thin it out for a pasta sauce: Whisk in a little extra olive oil and lemon juice, then toss it with warm pasta and roasted mushrooms for a next-level Caesar pasta moment.
• Use it as a pizza drizzle: Caesar on pizza? Absolutely. A light drizzle over a garlicky, veggie-loaded pizza takes things to a whole new level.
• Dunk your fries in it: Because if ranch can be a dip, why not Caesar? Try it with crispy oven fries or air-fried sweet potatoes.

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