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    Home » Popular » Dips, Sauces, and Condiments

    Creamy Vegan Caesar Dressing

    Published Aug 11, 2016 · Updated Mar 9, 2023 · 14 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. See my disclosure policy.

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Are you craving caesar salad, but struggling to find a dairy-free, anchovy-free way? Try this nut-free 3-ingredient Vegan Caesar Dressing!

    Vegan caesar dressing in a jar.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    My love for caesar salad runs deep and I frequently make it at home for dinner because my family loves it, too. Especially with my homemade garlic croutons. It makes for a great lunch if you add some tofu or chickpeas for that satiating protein element. Of course, store-bought caesar dressings contain dairy, eggs, and anchovies. The good news is that it's super easy to make at home.

    A person drizzling dressing on a Caesar salad

    This vegan caesar dressing recipe is:

    • super creamy
    • made without a blender
    • made with 3 ingredients

    Ingredients for caesar dressing on a table in bowls.

    Ingredients

    • Vegan mayo: There are several options out there now for vegan mayo! Hellmann's (or Best Foods) is my favorite. You can also use plain vegan yogurt.
    • Capers: These little balls of salt goodness are a great substitute for anchovies in this dressing. We'll be using some of the brine in the jar, as well.
    • Lemon juice

    You may also want to add some water as needed to get the consistency you prefer!

    Vegan mayo, capers, and lemon juice whisked together in a bowl.

    Instructions

    This recipe is as simple as whisking together the vegan mayo, capers and caper brine, and lemon juice.

    That's it. No blending or fancy equipment is needed. The days of cashew-based vegan dressings are over!

    Substitutions

    • Mayo substitute: Try using vegan yogurt as well. Choose a yogurt that is plain and unsweetened.
    • Use balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice
    • If you can't find capers (they are usually located near the olives) or prefer not to use them, just use salt to taste and ¼ teaspoon of thyme.

    Trying to go vegan? Sign up for our (FREE) Vegan Beginner's Guide!

    Overhead shot of a jar full of vegan salad dressing.

    Try my recipe for Vegan Ranch next! It has over 200 5-star reviews.

    Recipe

    A person drizzling dressing on a Caesar salad

    Vegan Caesar Dressing

    Karissa Besaw
    Easy, 3-ingredient vegan caesar dressing.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine Vegan
    Servings 18 tablespoons
    Calories 80 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup vegan mayo
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon capers roughly chopped
    • 2 teaspoons caper brine
    • water as needed for consistency

    Instructions
     

    • Whisk together all of the ingredients until creamy.
    • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.01gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.001gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.001gSodium: 83mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 0.02gSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 0.2mgIron: 0.01mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This recipe has been updated as of March 9, 2023. If you're looking for the old recipe, here it is: Blend together 1 cup soaked cashews, ⅔ cup vegan mayo, ¾ cup water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper, and salt to taste.

    More Vegan Salads + Dressing + Topping Recipes

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    About Karissa

    Hey! I’m happy you’re here! My name is Karissa and I’ve been cooking up delicious vegan food since going vegan in 2016. Not vegan and just want to eat more plants? We don't judge - everyone is welcome in our kitchen. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. marian says

      May 08, 2022 at 1:08 pm

      Magnificent Caesar salad!! And this sauce, OMG ...

      Thanks so much.

      Reply
    2. kiersten brien says

      January 13, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      Oh my goodness, this was amazing!!!! I made it along with your chickpea Caesar salad for my dairy loving husband and he couldn't believe how great it tasted. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        January 14, 2020 at 8:36 pm

        Excellent! Thank you for leaving a comment!

        Reply
    3. Lex says

      November 23, 2019 at 8:24 pm

      4 stars
      For anyone thinking about making this - I make it without vegan mayo, extra garlic and Dijon and LOVE it!! I’ve even taken it to omni potlucks, didn’t tell anyone it was vegan and everyone loved it!

      Reply
    4. Nina says

      February 05, 2019 at 4:40 am

      5 stars
      Hi greetings from the UK this looks fabulous. I have just stumbled across your blog... looks brilliant. Question.... when the recipe reads 2/3 rd cups. Water does it mean I fill a 1/3 rd cup up twice? OR does it mean that I fill a 1/3rd. cup to 2/3rds? Excuse my ignorance, but I am not familiar with cup measirements

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        February 05, 2019 at 10:08 am

        Hi Nina! 2/3 cups is two 1/3 cups. Hope that helps.

        Reply
    5. Lauree says

      September 12, 2018 at 5:46 pm

      I am allergic to hummus as well as nuts and peanuts. Any further suggestions?

      Reply
    6. Jules says

      July 14, 2018 at 12:47 am

      My sister is allergic to nuts. Is there something I can use instead of cashews? I really want to try this!

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        July 14, 2018 at 4:03 pm

        Hmmm, you could try substituting 1 cup of plain hummus for the cashews. I think it would be really good!

        Reply
      • E says

        June 29, 2021 at 3:05 pm

        I read in a different blog comment someone used white beans (cannellini beans) as a replacement for cashews.

        Reply
    7. Teja says

      June 22, 2018 at 1:32 pm

      Holy CRAP! I just made this and WOW!!! It’s epic. I will NEVER buy a vegan dressing again. Thank you for this delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        June 22, 2018 at 2:20 pm

        YAY!

        Reply
    8. Hope says

      December 16, 2017 at 2:12 pm

      Do I drain cashews before blending or does the liquid go in there too?

      Reply
      • Karissa says

        December 19, 2017 at 11:39 am

        Drain first 🙂

        Reply

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