Cashew Caesar Salad Recipe Without Anchovies
This Cashew Caesar dressing has quickly become a new favorite! It captures all the rich, creamy, and salty goodness of a traditional Caesar dressing but is completely plant-based, no store-bought vegan mayo required. Not a fan of anchovies? This Caesar salad recipe is perfect for you! It captures that classic anchovy flavor without using any anchovies at all.
So, how do I achieve that classic Caesar taste without mayo? It’s simple, I use cashews! Cashews bring a buttery, slightly nutty flavor that enhances the dressing without overwhelming it, unlike peanuts might. This makes cashews the perfect base for my mayo-free Cashew Caesar Dressing. Plus, they’re packed with unsaturated fats, fiber, and protein, making this dressing both delicious and nutritious!
Ingredients for This Healthy Caesar Salad
This healthy Caesar salad is a flavorful twist on the classic, made with fresh kale or romaine, crunchy homemade croutons, and a creamy homemade dressing, with optional protein add-ins for a heartier meal.
Kale – Use curly or lacinato kale, or swap for crisp romaine lettuce.
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Optional Add-ins: For added protein, include crispy breaded tofu, soy curls, or, if you’re not plant-based, chicken breast.
Ingredient List For This Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing
This easy caesar dressing is one of my go-to favorites, featuring simple ingredients that deliver a creamy, garlicky, tangy, bold, and briny flavor. It’s so easy to make—you can shake it up in a mason jar or blend it with an immersion blender!
- Cashews: The base of this Cashew Caesar Dressing. Cashews are commonly used in vegan recipes for their buttery texture and mild flavor, making them perfect for creamy dressings.
- Nutritional Yeast: Packed with B vitamins, it gives the dressing a cheesy flavor, essential in plant-based Caesar dressings.
- Lemon Juice & Apple Cider Vinegar: These ingredients provide the necessary acidity. Lemon juice, whether fresh or from a bottle, is key for replicating the bright flavor of traditional Caesar dressing.
- Capers & Caper Brine: These give the dressing a vinegary, lemony tang, acting as the vegan alternative to anchovy paste.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy, and slightly spicy kick to the dressing.
- Garlic Powder: A Caesar dressing staple, garlic brings depth. I opt for garlic powder here for a milder, more balanced garlic flavor however if you want a more garlicy flavor profile you can use fresh garlic cloves.
- Avocado Oil: Adds richness and smooth texture. You can substitute extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil if preferred.
- Black Pepper: For seasoning and a bit of spice.
- Water: To thin the dressing to the perfect consistency. Without it, the dressing would be too thick.
How To Make This Creamy Dressing
This, no mayo, creamy caesar dressing recipe is almost as easy as the basic oil and lemon vinaigrette. Once you make this Creamy Cashew Ceasar, you will have made a delicious dressing that can last for days in the fridge. Furthermore, if you make extra Cashew Caesar Dressing, you can use it all week long as part of your meal prep.
Step 1: Quick soak the cashews
If you don’t have time to soak the cashews overnight, pour boiling water over the cashews and let them sit for 15-30 minutes. Drain and rinse.
Step 2: Blend the dressing
In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, capers, caper brine, garlic powder, avocado oil, and water.
Blend on high until the dressing is creamy and smooth. Add more water if you prefer a thinner consistency.
Step 3: Taste and adjust seasoning
Add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the lemon juice, capers, or caper brine for more tang if desired.
In a large bowl, toss the flavorful dressing with your favorite salad greens, croutons, and any other toppings you like.
Cashews, a Nut and a Heart Healthy food
Cashews, like many nuts, are a fantastic addition to a balanced, heart-healthy diet. In fact, nuts are one of the food groups recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) as heart-healthy.
You may have noticed the Heart-Check Mark on certain food packaging, but what does this symbol signify? For a food to earn the Heart-Healthy symbol, it must meet three key criteria:
- Be a good source of naturally occurring nutrients.
- Contain limited amounts of saturated and trans fats.
- Have controlled sodium levels.
Didn’t see the check on your favorite food? No need to worry—many fresh, unprocessed foods like peaches, tomatoes, broccoli, and locally grown hazelnuts don’t require packaging but are still heart-healthy.
5 Easy Ways to Add Nuts to Your Diet
- Swap out salty chips for a handful of nuts for a satisfying, healthier snack.
- Blend cashews or almonds into your smoothies for added healthy fats and protein.
- Sprinkle chopped nuts on your salad for extra crunch and a boost of protein.
- Stir sliced or whole nuts, like almonds or hazelnuts, into your morning cereal—hot or cold.
- Serve nuts as part of a charcuterie board or alongside fresh fruit for a wholesome snack.
Nuts are a simple, delicious way to incorporate heart-healthy nutrients into your meals and snacks!
FAQ (Ask a Dietitian!)
Can I still get the traditional Caesar salad taste without anchovies?
Absolutely! While traditional Caesar dressing relies on actual anchovies for their salty, umami taste, this recipe substitutes them with capers and caper brine, which deliver a similar tangy, briny essence. Cashews contribute a rich, creamy texture that mimics the classic dressing perfectly. Additionally, you can enhance the flavor further by incorporating ingredients like miso paste, soy sauce, vegan Worcestershire sauce, or even a dash of liquid smoke to capture that savory depth. If you are not following a vegan diet, fish sauce also makes for a good alternative to whole anchovies.
Is a mayo free-Caesar dressing healthier than the traditional version?
A mayo-free Caesar dressing can be healthier than the traditional version. Homemade mayo-free dressings avoid preservatives and artificial ingredients commonly found in store-bought dressings. This plant-based Caesar dressing is made without eggs, dairy, or anchovies, relying on cashews for creaminess and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Cashews provide heart-healthy fats, fiber, and protein, while the dressing is free from processed ingredients like store-bought vegan mayo.
Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Cashew Caesar Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of kale
- 1 cup croutons Option to use my Homemade Crouton recipe
- 3 tbsp capers
- 3 tbsp hemp hearts
Caesar dressing
- 1 cup raw cashews
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp capers
- ½ tbsp caper brine
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Quick soak the cashews
- If you don’t have time to soak the cashews overnight, pour boiling water over the cashews and let them sit for 15-30 minutes. Drain and rinse.
Step 2: Blend the dressing
- In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, capers, caper brine, garlic powder, avocado oil, and water.
- Blend on high until the dressing is creamy and smooth. Add more water if you prefer a thinner consistency.
Step 3: Taste and adjust seasoning
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the lemon juice, capers, or caper brine for more tang if desired.
- In a large bowl, toss the flavorful dressing with your favorite salad greens, croutons, and any other toppings you like.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!
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