Vegan Caesar Salad

Vegan Caesar Salad with spiced roasted chickpeas, homemade torn bread croutons and delicious vegan Caesar dressing. Healthy protein packed vegan version of Caesar Salad that you can make in 25 mins

Posted On: Jul, 25 |  Author:
Vegan Caesar Salad
Diet Info: DF GF F LF Na LS VG V Fa

Vegan Caesar Salad - a delicious take on Caesar Salad with crispy roasted chickpeas, vegan Caesar dressing, and homemade torn bread croutons. Every fork-full of this Caesar Salad is party of flavors; with crunch of cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes and creamy 5-min vegan Caesar dressing. What not to like?! A must-try salad for every Caesar Salad fan like myself. 

This Caesar Salad makes a great healthy and delicious salad-for-dinner. It has everything I desire from a good hearty dinner salad - protein, greens, bread and a satisfactory creamy caesar dressing made with cashew nut butter. Dressing is so good you will love it as substitute vegan dressing on any kind of salad.

Let's make Vegan Caesar today!

Vegetarian Vegan Caesar Salad

A salad such as this is perfect to transform to your personal liking. For example; substitute part romaine with kale, substitute or add a heart healthy avocado Or use a crunchy seasonal salad green of your choice.

I only ask to make vegan caesar dressing as-is and don’t skip the cumin spiced chickpeas as these are the flavors of this vegan caesar recipe.

What Do You Need To Make Vegan Caesar Salad?

Here is what you need to make Vegan Cesar Salad:

  1. Chickpeas
  2. Romain Hearts
  3. Bread
  4. Cumin Powder 
  5. Oil
  6. Cucumber
  7. Cherry Tomatoes
  8. Capers
  9. Salt and Pepper
  10. Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing (recipe included)

Roasted Chickpeas For Caesar Salad

Chickpeas are a healthy and plant-based protein packed substitute for vegan diet. The neutral earthy flavor of chickpeas take any flavor you add to these. Specially the spices and citrusy flavor go very well with chickpeas. This is why I roast chickpeas with cumin ( and often with some sumac) for perfect flavor.

Use a sheet pan and add seasoned chickpeas in single layer and roast in the oven.

Roasted Chickpeas for Vegan Caesar Salad

Homemade Croutons For Vegan Caesar Salad

Homemade torn-bread croutons need three ingredients:

  1. Few slices of day old rustic bread such as French/Country bread slices.
  2. Olive Oil
  3. Salt

I bake croutons at the same time roasting chickpeas. Both roast at the same temperature. Using two small sheet pans that fit side by side in middle rack saves time. (You can also bake chickpeas and croutons one after another.)

Croutons for Vegan Caesar Salad

Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing

The vegan creamy Caesar salad dressing is very easy to make and a versatile dressing. The main ingredient for vegan Caesar dressing is Cashew Butter. It provides a perfect neutral creamy base for dressing without any mayo or cream. I use a couple of tablespoons of hot water to blend cashew butter with other ingredients and to get the creamy salad dressing consistency.

If you can’t find cashew butter, use peanut butter and adjust sugar to taste. Or grind cashews soaked in water for 10 minutes in blender until smooth paste forms.

For today's recipe you need following ingredients:

  1. Lemon Juice
  2. Olive Oil
  3. Cashew Butter
  4. Mustard
  5. Garlic
  6. Nutritional yeast (optional but recommended)
  7. Salt, sugar and Pepper

To make the Caesar Salad dressing, in a medium bowl mix all ingredients except yeast and salt Add hot water 1 tbsp at a time until dressing is smooth. Mix in nutritional yeast. Taste and adjust salt. 

Making Vegan Caesar Salad

Once the chickpeas and croutons are ready. The assembly of Caesar salad is very simple. I like to massage romaine in dressing for a perfectly creamy caesar salad experience.

Vegan Caesar Salad with Nutritional Yeast

…and then layer everything on a salad platter. Top with nutritional yeast for nutty parmesan like flavor. Serve and enjoy!

Honestly, making a delicious filling salad such as this Vegan Cesar Salad at home helps me fit this easily to my diet preferences. For example;

  1. Skip crouton and salad is also Gluten Free.
  2. Swap half of the romaine with spinach and arugula for greens loaded Caesar Salad.

Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe

Another reader favorite is mayo-free vegetarian Caesar Salad Dressing on the blog. I get rave reviews from everyone who tries it.

Today's recipe is a upgrade of classic Caesar Salad with a mouthwatering and healthy vegan twist.

Friends, this vegan Caesar Salad is healthy, nutritious with serving of protein; all coated in a creamy and vegan version of Italian Caesar salad dressing. You can even keep it low-carb by skipping croutons.

Dressing will stay good in refrigerator for 3-4 days. Must try as I know you will love the flavors.

Pairing Ideas:

Vegetable Barley Soup Butternut Squash Curry with Tofu Harissa Chickpeas

Vegan Caesar Salad

5 (5 reviews)
Vegan Caesar Salad
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Cuisine: Italian () Difficulty: Easy
Yields: 4 Servings - Serves: 4

Ingredients

Caesar Salad
Vegan Caesar Dressing
Croutons
Roasted Chickpeas

Directions

  • 1. Prep Chickpeas And Croutons:  Position an oven rack in middle. Preheat oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. On a small sheet pan, add rinsed and pat dried chickpeas. Drizzle oil and seasoning on the top. Coat chickpeas in seasonings. On another baking sheet, add torn pieces of bread. Drizzle oil, generous pinch of salt and pepper. Coat well.
  • 2. Roast Chickpeas and Croutons:  Roast chickpeas in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until chickpeas are crispy. Keep an eye in last few minutes. Don’t let chickpeas burn. Bake croutons for 10-12 minutes or until croutons are crispy. Remove from oven. Set aside to cool completely.
  • 3. Make Vegan Caesar Dressing:  In a bowl add all of the dressing ingredients except yeast and salt. Add a tbsp hot water at time to smooth the dressing until a creamy yet salad dressing consistency achieved. I use about 2 tbsp of water. Add half salt and yeast and capers. Mix in. Taste and adjust the salt if needed.
  • 4. Assemble Caesar Salad:  Add romaine, remaining capers. and cucumber to bowl with dressing. Toss to coat romaine in the dressing. Transfer tossed romaine on a platter or large salad bowl. Top with halved cheery tomatoes, roasted chickpeas and croutons. Top with remaining nutritional yeast. Enjoy!
Savita's Notes:
  1. If you can’t find cashew butter, use peanut butter and adjust sugar to taste. Or grind cashews soaked in water for 10 minutes in blender until smooth paste forms.
  2. If not using sumac, splash some lemon juice on chickpeas and salad before eating.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Tag @SAVITACHEFDEHOME on Instagram and hashtag it #SAVITACHEFDEHOME

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12 Responses

  1. Do you think tahini could be used in place of the cashew butter for the dressing?
    I like the nutty sweetness of cashews in the dressing. You can use tahini but but please adjust sweetness to taste.
  2. This was such an easy adaptation to the classic caesar, and super delicious!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Thanks. You got it. 👍
  3. Caesar salad is one of my favorites. I really love this vegan option. Nothing like homemade dressing!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Thanks. Our liking for Caesar is mutual. There are more Caesar salad recipes on the blog. I hope you get chance to explore and try. 🙌
  4. I loved the addition of the capers in this salad. It was super delicious!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Thanks. Capers give vegan Caesar Salad briny flavor like anchovies in real Caesar salad.
  5. LOVED the dressing on this salad! It was super light and fresh! Will be making this over and over!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad you loved the dressing.
  6. I love how this casesar is vegan and still delicious! It still tastes like a classic caesar and we all loved it!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Thanks for the sharing your feedback. 👍