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This homemade vegan cashew caesar salad dressing is made with nutritional yeast, lemon, and capers. It’s a healthy, easy-to make, plant-based option for caesar dressing. Recipe is dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free.

Salad with romaine, croutons, and cashew caesar dressing on a white plate.

Looking for a nutritious, plant-based caesar dressing you can make at home? You’ve come to the right place.

This vegan caesar dressing is made with just 9 simple ingredients that also happen to pack in a ton of nutrition benefits. Use it over a classic caesar salad, or try it with some of these serving ideas!

As a dietitian, I’m so happy to share an option for anyone who has different dietary needs – if you’re vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free (or even if you eat it all, like me!) – this recipe can be enjoyed by everyone 🙂

Want more dressing recipes? Check out my roundup of healthy homemade sauces + dressings for more ideas!

Small glass jar with vegan caesar salad dressing inside.

Is Caesar Dressing Vegan?

Classic caesar salad dressing is traditionally made with anchovies, eggs, and sometimes parmesan – three ingredients which are not vegan.

While I personally eat all of these ingredients, I wanted to share an option for someone on a vegan or dairy-free diet to enjoy 🙂

In addition, this homemade caesar salad dressing uses simple ingredients and may be a healthier option to many store-bought salad dressings.

Recipe Ingredients Needed

All you need to make this vegan salad dressing recipe are 9 simple, healthy ingredients:

Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

Small bowls of recipe ingredients on a wood cutting board.

Do You Need To Soak Cashews For This Recipe?

Yes! You will need to soak the cashews for at least 4 hours or overnight.

I find it easiest to do this THE NIGHT BEFORE I plan on making a recipe (otherwise, I’m likely to forget to do this)!! To do so, simply:

  1. Measure out the amount of cashews you need (1 cup for this recipe).
  2. Place those cashews in a large jar or container.
  3. Cover the cashews with tap water.
  4. Cover the container with a lid and place in the fridge.
  5. Drain the cashews and give them a rinse before using!
Cashews soaking in a glass jar with lid.

How Long Does This Dressing Keep In The Fridge?

You can make a large batch of this dressing to keep in the fridge for 1 week. Simply store it in an airtight jar or container!

You may notice that it become thicker over time – just add a bit more liquid (water works) and stir until it reaches your desired consistency again 🙂

Vegan cashew caesar dressing ingredients in a blender.

What To Serve This Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing With?

While a traditional caesar salad may be the obvious choice, here are some other ideas for what to serve this dressing with:

  • vegan kale & brussels sprout caesar salad (where this dressing recipe originates from!)
  • grilled romaine lettuce (my favourite – I make this ALL the time in the summer)
  • a simple green salad made with raw romaine or iceberg lettuce (or a similar lettuce), crunchy veggies (like cucumbers, peppers, and radishes), and perhaps these delicious homemade sourdough croutons
  • use it as a dip for raw veggies

My Go-To Blender

Cashew Nutrition Benefits

Cashews are a source of:

  • heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids
  • plant-based protein, with a 1/4 cup serving containing about 5 grams
  • essential minerals like magnesium (which helps to promote proper nerve + muscle function) and iron (which helps to synthesize hemoglobin + transport oxygen through the body).  

Nutritional Yeast Nutrition Benefits

Nutritional yeast is another pantry staple of mine, thanks to it’s deliciously cheesy flavour and impressive nutrient profile. While I do personally eat cheese, sometimes I like making dairy-free sauces and I always turn to nutritional yeast to give me that “cheesy” kick.

From a nutrition perspective, fortified nutritional yeast is an excellent source of many B-vitamins, like:

  • thiamine
  • riboflavin
  • niacin
  • vitamin B6
  • vitamin B12

These B-vitamins play a critical role in producing energy from the foods that we eat. 

Nutritional yeast also contains trace minerals like:

  • zinc
  • selenium
  • manganese
Romaine lettuce and croutons tossed in vegan cashew caesar salad dressing on a white plate.

More Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

Did you give this Vegan Cashew Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!

If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

Get the Recipe: Vegan Cashew Caesar Salad Dressing

This homemade vegan cashew caesar salad dressing is made with nutritional yeast, lemon, and capers. It's a healthy, easy-to make, plant-based option for caesar dressing. Recipe is dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free.
Salad with romaine, croutons, and cashew caesar dressing on a white plate.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • *NOTE: you'll need to soak the cashews for at least 4 hours or overnight. I find it easiest to just throw them into a jar, cover with water, and place in the fridge the night before I plan on making a recipe.
  • After cashews have soaked, drain and rinse them in a sieve.
  • Add drained cashews and all other dressing ingredients into a high-speed blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasonings to taste.
  • If you like a thinner dressing, simply add a tablespoon or 2 more water and blend until it reaches your desired consistency. Similarly, if you want more acidity – feel free to add a few more capers, caper brine, or lemon juice.
  • Serve as desired or store in the fridge!

Notes

*STORAGE: This dressing will keep in the fridge for 1 week. Simply store it in an airtight jar or container! You may notice that it become thicker over time – just add a bit more liquid (water works) and stir until it reaches your desired consistency again 🙂
*SERVING IDEAS: While a traditional caesar salad may be the obvious choice, here are some other ideas for what to serve this dressing with:
  • vegan kale & brussels sprout caesar salad (where this dressing recipe originates from!)
  • grilled romaine lettuce (my favourite – I make this ALL the time in the summer)
  • a simple green salad made with raw romaine or iceberg lettuce (or a similar lettuce), and crunchy veggies (like cucumbers, peppers, and radishes)
  • use it as a dip for raw veggies

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!

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