This vegan Caesar salad is a delightful twist on the classic, offering all the rich and tangy flavors you love without any animal products. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish, this salad combines crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy croutons, all tossed in a creamy, homemade vegan dressing.
If you're not familiar with vegan cooking, some ingredients in this recipe might be new to you. For instance, nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that adds a cheesy flavor to the dressing. Vegan parmesan is a dairy-free alternative to traditional parmesan cheese. Soaked cashews are used to create a creamy texture in the dressing. You can find these items in the health food section of most supermarkets or specialty stores.
Ingredients For Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe
Romaine lettuce: Crisp and refreshing, this forms the base of the salad.
Cherry tomatoes: Adds a burst of sweetness and color.
Croutons: Provides a satisfying crunch.
Vegan parmesan: A dairy-free cheese alternative that adds a savory flavor.
Cashews: Soaked to create a creamy dressing.
Lemon juice: Adds a tangy brightness to the dressing.
Dijon mustard: Gives a slight kick and depth of flavor.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic element.
Nutritional yeast: Imparts a cheesy, umami flavor.
Olive oil: Provides a rich, smooth base for the dressing.
Water: Helps achieve the desired consistency for the dressing.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When blending the dressing, make sure to soak the cashews for at least 2 hours or overnight. This will ensure they blend smoothly, giving your Caesar dressing a creamy texture without any graininess.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Romaine lettuce - Substitute with kale: Kale is a nutrient-dense leafy green that provides a slightly different texture and flavor but works well in salads.
Cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes are similar in size and sweetness, making them a perfect alternative.
Croutons - Substitute with toasted chickpeas: Toasted chickpeas add a crunchy texture and are a gluten-free option.
Vegan parmesan - Substitute with nutritional yeast and ground almonds: This combination mimics the cheesy flavor and texture of vegan parmesan.
Soaked cashews - Substitute with silken tofu: Silken tofu provides a creamy texture and is a good source of protein.
Lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a similar tangy flavor to the dressing.
Dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard offers a similar flavor profile with a bit more texture.
Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the dressing well.
Nutritional yeast - Substitute with miso paste: Miso paste adds a savory, umami flavor that can enhance the dressing.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a neutral flavor.
Water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth adds extra flavor to the dressing without altering the consistency.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store or Freeze This Salad
- To store the vegan Caesar salad, keep the dressing and the salad components separate. This prevents the romaine lettuce and croutons from becoming soggy.
- Place the chopped romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Store the croutons in a separate airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crunchiness.
- For the dressing, transfer it to a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Shake well before using.
- If you need to freeze the dressing, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.
- When ready to serve, combine the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and croutons in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with vegan parmesan just before serving to ensure it retains its texture and flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
If you have leftover Vegan Caesar Salad, it's best to store the dressing separately from the lettuce and croutons to prevent sogginess.
To reheat the croutons, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes until they are crispy again.
For the dressing, if it has thickened in the fridge, you can add a small amount of water or olive oil and whisk it until it reaches the desired consistency.
If you prefer a slightly warm salad, you can lightly warm the romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes in a skillet over low heat for 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to wilt the lettuce too much.
Once everything is ready, toss the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and reheated croutons together, then pour the dressing over and mix well. Sprinkle with vegan parmesan and serve immediately.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Blender: to combine and blend all dressing ingredients until smooth
Large bowl: to toss the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and croutons
Measuring cups: to measure out the ingredients like cashews, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and water
Measuring spoons: to measure out smaller quantities of ingredients like lemon juice, dijon mustard, and olive oil
Garlic press: to mince the garlic clove for the dressing
Knife: to chop the romaine lettuce
Cutting board: to provide a surface for chopping the romaine lettuce
Spatula: to scrape down the sides of the blender and ensure all dressing ingredients are well combined
Salad tongs: to toss the salad and coat it evenly with the dressing
Grater: to grate the vegan parmesan if it is not pre-grated
How to Save Time on Making This Salad
Prepare the dressing in advance: Blend the dressing ingredients the night before and store in the fridge to save time on busy days.
Use pre-washed lettuce: Opt for pre-washed and chopped romaine lettuce to cut down on prep time.
Buy pre-made croutons: Purchase croutons instead of making them from scratch to save a few extra minutes.
Soak cashews overnight: Soak the cashews overnight to ensure they blend smoothly and quickly when making the dressing.
Batch prep ingredients: Halve cherry tomatoes and grate vegan parmesan in bulk to use throughout the week.
Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 head Romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Croutons
- ¼ cup Vegan Parmesan grated
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup Cashews soaked
- 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove Garlic
- 2 tablespoon Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- ¼ cup Water
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all dressing ingredients and blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and croutons.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with vegan Parmesan and serve.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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