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.

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!
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:
- raw cashews
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- dijon mustard
- garlic
- capers
- nutritional yeast
- maple syrup
- miso paste
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
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:
- Measure out the amount of cashews you need (1 cup for this recipe).
- Place those cashews in a large jar or container.
- Cover the cashews with tap water.
- Cover the container with a lid and place in the fridge.
- Drain the cashews and give them a rinse before using!
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 🙂
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
Vitamix Blender
If you’re in need of a high-powered blender, I use this Vitamix to get the job done. It blends the cashews up in seconds! I use it almost daily (especially for smoothies) for the last 7 years and it still works perfectly.
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
More Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes
- Vegan Creamy Balsamic Tahini Dressing
- Vegan Curry Tahini Dressing
- Vegan Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
- Herbed Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing
- My Go-To Balsamic Vinaigrette
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
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked + drained
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 2 tsps dijon mustard
- 1 tsp miso paste
- 4 cloves garlic
- 5 tsp capers (with brine)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 4-6 Tbsp water
- Salt + pepper, to taste
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
- 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!
7 Comments on “Vegan Cashew Caesar Salad Dressing”
What is purpose of nutritional yeast? Can it be omitted or replaced with something?
Hi Alka! Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavour and is often used in vegan recipes to add a cheesy taste! I would not omit it in this recipe – it will lose a lot of its flavour. As for replacements, the only thing I can think of would be parmesan cheese (or a vegan parm). I hope that helps clarify!
Does it matter if the maple syrup is sugar free? Very excited to try this one!
Hi Callie! No that should be fine – it’s just to add a little sweetness and build the flavour here..doesn’t affect the texture or anything! I’m assuming that sugar-free maple syrup still contains a non-caloric sweetener in there? In which case it’ll do the job 🙂
Made this for me and my mom and we both loved it! Will definitely be making again! You’ve made me a believer in homemade dressings.
Made this for me and my mom and we both loved it! Will definitely be making again. You’ve made me a believer in homemade dressings!
Woohoo! Thank you, Rae! So happy to hear that you and your mom enjoyed this one. Homemade dressings are so delish 🙂