Insanely Delicious Vegan Caesar Dressing

This Vegan Caesar Dressing recipe is a plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite. It is made with simple ingredients like raw sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, and tangy capers. Made with simple steps and common ingredients, it makes the perfect creamy condiment to add to your favorite dishes, from salads to sandwiches!

Bring your meals to a new level with this vegan Caesar salad dressing! Enjoy the same indulgent taste of a traditional recipe with entirely plant-based ingredients. Soaked raw sunflower seeds give the vegan dressing a creamy base, nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami depth of flavor, and capers pack a briny, tangy punch that mimics the anchovies of a traditional Caesar. The flavor profile is completed with vegan Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, tamari sauce, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and rich extra virgin olive oil. 

Caesar dressing is known for its rich and creamy texture, traditionally achieved with ingredients like egg yolks and parmesan cheese. This version is a dairy-free, eggless Caesar dressing that is just as luscious and flavorful! Serve it as a Caesar salad with greens and crispy chickpeas, or add it to your favorite dishes!

For more vegan salad recipes with tasty dressings, try my kale kimchi salad, watermelon & peach salad with lime vinaigrette, or mango avocado salad.

Ingredients

Raw Sunflower Seeds: Provides a creamy base for the vegan Caesar dressing, rich in healthy fats and protein. Choose raw, unsalted sunflower seeds for the best texture and flavor. If desired, you can also substitute with raw cashews or blanched almonds. 

Garlic Clove: Fresh garlic adds a pungent, savory depth of flavor to the dressing. Choose a large firm, unblemished garlic clove for the freshest flavor. Alternatively, roast the garlic first for a milder flavor or swap for garlic powder in a pinch. 

Nutritional Yeast: Gives the dairy-free Caesar salad dressing an essential cheesy, nutty flavor. Find it in the health food section or baking aisle. 

Capers: These small, pickled flower buds add a tangy, briny kick to the dressing. Choose capers packaged in brine or salt. Rinse them under cool water and drain them before using to reduce the saltiness. If needed, swap them for chopped green olives. 

Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: This sauce provides a complex, savory flavor to the dressing with a hint of sweetness. Choose a brand that specifies “vegan” on the label, as traditional versions contain anchovies. Can’t find vegan Worcestershire? No problem: just substitute with a mixture of molasses and apple cider vinegar.

Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to balance the flavors of the non-dairy Caesar dressing. In a pinch, you can use bottled lemon juice, but the flavor will be less vibrant. 

Tamari Sauce: This gluten-free soy sauce adds a rich umami flavor to the vegetarian Caesar dressing. Look for it in the Asian food section of the grocery store. You can also swap for a low-sodium regular soy sauce or coconut aminos for a sweeter variation. 

Dijon Mustard: Gives the dressing a sharp, tangy essence. Opt for a smooth variation of Dijon mustard for an even consistency. Use stone-ground mustard for a more textured dressing. 

Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and enhances the overall flavor. For the most robust flavor, use a pepper mill to grind freshly ground black peppercorns, though pre-ground black pepper works great as well. Alternatively, use white pepper for a milder heat. 

Water: Filtered water helps achieve the desired consistency for the best vegan Caesar dressing. For a richer-tasting dressing, swap for a low-sodium vegetable broth. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This oil provides the plant-based Caesar dressing with a smooth, rich finish and enhances its texture. Choose a high-quality, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil for the best taste and texture. Substitute avocado oil for a different flavor profile.

How to Make Vegan Caesar Dressing

• Blend Dressing Ingredients. Place the soaked sunflower seeds, garlic, nutritional yeast, capers, vegan Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, tamari sauce, mustard, pepper, and water in a blender or food processor. Blend the mixture until creamy.

• Add Oil. Remove the plug or cap from the blender lid or the spout from the food processor and slowly pour in the oil while the blender runs. Blend until smooth.

Recipe Pro-Tips

• Soak sunflower seeds overnight. Allow the raw sunflower seeds to soak in water overnight. This softens them and makes blending into a smooth, creamy dressing easier. If you’re short on time, use a quick-soak method by soaking in hot water for 1-2 hours. 
• Thoroughly rinse capers. Be sure to rinse the capers under cold water to remove excess saltiness. This ensures they don’t overpower the taste of the dressing. 
• Slowly add olive oil. While blending the dressing, pour the oil in slowly through the top spout of the lid. This helps emulsify the oil with the other ingredients, resulting in a smoother, creamier dressing. 
• Adjust to taste. Taste the vegan Caesar salad dressing recipe before serving and adjust seasonings as needed. You may need more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your taste. 
• Customize dressing consistency. If the dressing is too thick, add more water or lemon juice to thin it out. If it’s too watery, add more soaked sunflower seeds and blend again.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this dairy-free Caesar dressing recipe on a Vegan Caesar Salad, made with mixed greens and roasted chickpeas for a quick-fix, flavor-packed, nutritious lunch or dinner. Or use it as a dipping sauce or garnish for various dishes like some of our favorite recipes below: 

Storage Directions

Prepared dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before using, shake the dairy-free Caesar dressing or stir it well to recombine any separated ingredients. This homemade dressing does not freeze well.

More Vegan Dip & Dressing Recipes

Recipe Card