It’s almost grilling season, and you know what that means for the Ambitious Kitchen fam: it’s time to bust out all of our best salad recipes and salad dressings to make flavorful, nourishing sides.
One recipe I’ve been LOVING lately is for my vegan caesar dressing. I’m trying my best to incorporate more plant based recipes on the site and since I make this dressing so often, I figured that I’d better put it on the site! It’s made with 5 core ingredients and super easy to throw together for a yummy weeknight salad (or maybe even in a chickpea salad wrap?).
Either way I hope you love it as much as we do. Oh, and my biggest tip for this one? Don’t forget to properly season the dressing with a generous amount of salt and pepper. It helps bring it all together! Enjoy.
What is caesar dressing?
Traditional caesar salad dressing is often made with anchovies, raw egg yolk, raw garlic, mustard, lemon juice and parmesan cheese. The result is a super zesty, garlicky and savory dressing that pairs really will with fresh, simple salads.
In this vegan caesar dressing recipe I created an equally as flavorful, zesty and creamy dressing but without any eggs, dairy or anchovies! In fact, it’s completely vegan so everyone can enjoy it.
Everything you’ll need to make this vegan caesar dressing
This easy vegan caesar dressing recipe has just 5 core ingredients, plus a little water, salt & pepper to create a deliciously creamy dressing you’ll want to put on everything. The base is made out of tahini to keep this dressing dairy free, nut free and egg free! Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Tahini: as I mentioned, we’re using creamy tahini as the base of this vegan caesar salad dressing.
- Lemon juice: every good dressing has a little acidity to it. In this one we’re using fresh lemon juice.
- Garlic: fresh garlic is a must for a good caesar dressing.
- Capers: we’re using both diced capers and the caper brine (from the jar) to give the dressing that savory element that anchovies usually does.
- Mustard: I love using a grainy dijon mustard for that tangy flavor.
- Water: you’ll also need a little water to thin the dressing to your liking.
- Seasonings: top it off with salt and pepper to taste.
Wait, what are capers?
Capers are actually small, unripened flower buds from a plant called Flinders rose. The plant creates pretty white and pink flowers — Abra and I actually saw them when we were in Southern France a few years ago! The little buds are picked and pickled in brine to give them a salty, earthy flavor.
Capers are used in a lot of Mediterranean cuisines and pack a big flavor punch. In this vegan caesar dressing recipe, you’ll dice up a few of the little capers themselves and use some of the brine that they come in to add a boost of salty savory flavor to the dressing. If you don’t have any capers a little bit of olives & olive brine could work as well.
How to make vegan caesar salad dressing
You’re just about 5 minutes away from an incredible salad dressing!
- Mix it. In a small bowl until smooth: tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic, diced capers, caper brine, dijon mustard, warm water and freshly ground black pepper.
- Thin it. Feel free to add a little more warm water to the dressing to thin it to your liking.
- Adjust & serve. Taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper if you’d like. Enjoy!
Ways to use vegan caesar dressing
This caesar dressing goes beyond caesar salad. Try it on tons of fresh salad recipes, veggie-packed bowls, or even use it as a veggie dip!
- Use it as a marinade for baked or grilled chicken.
- Drizzle it on a sheet pan of vegetables for the perfect side dish.
- Use it as a dressing for a fresh salad, or branch out to a delicious potato salad or pasta salad!
- Add it to your fav sandwiches, a wrap or even top a vegan burger or regular burger. YUM.
Storing tips
Store this creamy vegan caesar dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If the sauce appears too thick for your liking when you take it out of the fridge, simply add a bit of water and mix it well.
More dressings & sauces to try
- Bright & Flavorful Sunshine Dressing
- Cilantro Lime Dressing
- The Best Creamy Tahini Sauce Recipe
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
- Sesame Ginger Dressing
Get all of our flavorful dressings and sauces here!
I hope you love this easy vegan caesar dressing recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment & a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Vegan Caesar Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup drippy tahini (we use Soom tahini)
- Juice from ½ large lemon (about 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice)
- 1 clove garlic, grated or finely minced
- 1 teaspoon very finely diced capers
- 2 teaspoons caper brine (from the jar of capers)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard (we love a grainy dijon!)
- 1-3 tablespoons warm water, to thin out dressing a bit to your liking
- Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste.
Instructions
- Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth: tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic, diced capers, caper brine, dijon mustard, warm water and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and add a pinch of salt, if necessary.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
I realize this post is several years old. I’m not vegan but lean heavily plant based. I made this salad dressing a few days ago and it’s absolutely fantastic! I added 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast to add a bit of a cheesy flavor. It worked well. This dressing held up beautifully to a kale salad and shredded brussels sprouts salad with quinoa.
So happy to hear that! Great idea to add nutritional yeast, too 🙂
What an excellent Caesar dressing. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed!
This is my go-to dressing, not only for Caesar salads, but every salad. I do add a dollop of vegan mayo. It makes it lighter and creamier. And I like using raw tahini. I like the flavor of it better than that of the roasted tahini.
Love that! Glad it’s a favorite!
This is delicious and a great replacement for mayo-based recipes.
Absolutely!
Really easy and yummy. I added some nooch and it was perfect!
Great idea!!
This is a great recipe as is – the tahini gives it the body and mouth feel that you lose not using egg. I’m fortunate to have easy access to great vegan mayo (Just Mayo) and Parmesan (Follow Your Heart), and I like to add both. In doing so, I then need more salt, capers, garlic, and lemon. Just playing with ingredients until I’m happy. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely! Great idea 🙂
Great base. I’m keeping with the “be generous with salt and pepper”, I went a lot heavier on the capers (salty like sardines). And as traditional caesar is essentially an oil-based emulsion (like mayo), I added a generous amount of vegan aioli. Finished with 1/4 cup of chopped vegan Parmesan (Follow Your Heart brand from Whole Foods). Play with it all and find what works for you. Thanks to Monique for proving that a delicious vegan caesar is TOTALLY possible. Délicieux !
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
I’m so sad because I miss ceaser dressing so much (I’m breastfeeding and my baby can’t have dairy) but I tried this and it was soooo bitter I couldn’t stand it. I used Soom Tahini like you suggested and followed the exact directions. Reading all the comments seems like I’m the minority so I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong? I want to like it so bad!
So strange! Try reducing the lemon juice a bit, and if you taste it and it’s still too tangy add a tiny bit of honey or sugar.
The best Caesar dressing ever!!! Have tried several but always come back to this. Perfection.
Amazing! Glad you love it!
Hi There! Do you think the flavor of this would change if you put in through a blender to make it smooth?
This should be the most 5 star rated vegan Caesar recipe for those who don’t keep tofu stocked – An Asian woman who doesn’t do tofu 😉
So glad you enjoyed!
We added some nutritional yeast and it was perfect!!!!🤩 thank you so much!!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
Do you have any substitutes for tahini, I am allergic to sesame (among other things). Thanks!
Hmm unfortunately, I don’t think I can suggest another base that’s neutral in flavor for this vegan dressing!
Peanut butter might be a good substitute for tahini. You could also try sunflower seed butter.
Best vegan Caesar I’ve ever made or eaten. I tossed it with butter lettuce, cherry tomato, cucumber half-moons, shallot and toasted breadcrumbs made from sourdough batard, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and herbs de provence.
*Chef’s kiss*
That sounds delicious!!
I absolutely love this dressing! It hits all the flavour notes of a Caesar dressing with parm. Everyone loves it vegan or not!!
Agreed!!
This dressing is on repeat in our house. Our kiddos (2 &4) love it- one of the few tried and true ways our kids will eat leafy salad.
Delicious! I added a bit of nutritional yeast to give it a cheesier flavour and it was delicious!! Delicious without it too, I just crave that cheesy flavour!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
i’m dairy-free but missed caesar salad so much! this was so spot on, and i followed it exactly! everyone else who’s tried it hasn’t been able to tell the difference between real caesar dressing and this! makes the best caesar wraps!
So glad you found this recipe! LOVE the idea of using it in a caesar wrap.
Wow, this was soooo delicious! So happy to have a vegan dressing, and with no added oils or sugars to boot. I personally bumped up the acids to balance out nuttiness of the tahini.
Thanks, AK. Planning to have this on a side salad next to your turkey hamburger helper meal (another total fave of mine)
Amazing! So glad you found this one!
REALLY DELICIOUS! TASTES LIKE REAL CAESAR DRESSING. CREAMY AND TART. WE ENJOYED IT WITH HOME MADE SOURDOUGH CROUTONS TOSSED WITH ROMAINE AND VEGA SHREDDED PARMESAN.
YAY! Glad you’re loving this recipe!
Usually, I am so disappointed when I try recipes for salad dressings. I’m always thinking, “how can people think this tastes good?” I don’t know if I’m a picky eater or what, but this recipe was a pleasant surprise. You nailed it. It tastes great, the consistency is perfect, and it’s well balanced. I’m definitely adding this to my rotation…hopefully I can find a few more good ones just for variety. Thank you so much for sharing!
WOO! Glad to hear you’re loving this dressing! 🙂
My husband is a very picky eater but has become a big salad fan since we discovered this dressing. We keep kosher and because this is vegan we eat it with both dairy and meat meals. We both like garlic so I add extra and because I don’t keep capers on hand I omit them. It is delicious and Caesar is now our go-to salad. Thanks very much.
WOO! So glad you found this dressing recipe and it is a hit – thanks for coming back and sharing your comment!
Really good!
Made Caesar salad using this recipe and it was amazing. Thank you,
So glad to hear you’re loving this recipe!
This dressing is even better than the original Cesar. I tried them side by side on an actual Cesar salad and my boyfriend and I both agreed yours is better and healthier! This is so good I’m actually leaving a review something I rarely do!!
YAY! I am so excited to hear that you are loving this dressing, Lissette!
Sooooo good and very easy to make!! Thank you
Yay! So glad you are enjoying this dressing 🙂
I make three Caesar dressings on a regular basis, and this one is one of my favourites. I swap out the mayo for hummus and it’s delicious, creamy, easy, and filling.
This dressing is so delicious! I am allergic to eggs and the thing I miss most is caesar salad dressing, but this recipe fulfills that craving – thank you!
Ah this makes me so happy to hear. Glad you found this recipe and are loving it ❤️
scrumptious!
Happy you enjoyed it!!
This is a tahini delivery system. So much tahini, so little other liquid, that I had to add 3/8 cup of olive oil to make it at all liquid.
Oh interesting! I find that the water helps to thin it out just fine but adding extra water or olive oil is totally fine too 🙂
Thank you for this recepie…it is delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and it did not disappoint.
I just made this dressing for dinner and it was a hit. My picky 9 year old said it tasted like real caesar dressing. It was easy to make! Thanks
REPLY
This was delicious. Nailed the taste, my friends had no clue it didn’t have anchovies. Tastes like the real thing and I had everything on hand to make it. Thank you for all the recipes Monique.
Can I blend it in the vitamix? Or would it be best to hand mix?
I would recommend hand mixing it, unless you would prefer the dressing not to have the texture. Let me know how it turns out!
This recipe is super easy, fun to make, and brings a spot-on, punchy Caesar flavor that hits you in the jaw, just enough! I made it in the morning for salads later that night, and my husband loves it, also. I’m sure the flavors will marry as it sits and be even better later! Thank you!
Absolutely! This is the BEST. So glad you are enjoying it
Made this recipe with added anchovy paste, and it was fantastic. Next time i will add in red wine vinegar in replacement of the warm water and see how that goes. Had this with a chicken caesar salad, and I think it would also make a great dressing for buddha bowls!
Thanks for another fab recipe I’ve added to my rotation!! Made this dressing (as part of your amazing vegan Caesar salad) along with gluten free lasagna and breadsticks for my fam Christmas Eve meal and it was a hit. Used the recommended Soom tahini and the capers/brine made it perfectly Caesar-y without anchovies. So delicious and easy to put together!
Thank you for the recipe, this was delicious. I put it on a pasta salad and it was fantastic. Personally, I think I would add a bit more capers because I love the briny taste.