If you’ve been searching for a luscious, creamy dressing that captures all the classic flavors of a Caesar but fits perfectly into a plant-based lifestyle, your quest ends here! This Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe is a game changer for salads and beyond. With the richness of soaked cashews and the bright, tangy punch of capers and their brine, it recreates that irresistible umami bite of traditional Caesar dressing—without a single dairy or egg product in sight. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll never want to go back to bottled dressings again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting great flavor starts with simple, carefully chosen ingredients, each bringing something essential to the texture, tang, or depth of this Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe.
- Raw cashews (1 cup, soaked): These deliver that creamy, velvety base—soaking softens them perfectly for blending into lusciousness.
- Olive oil (1/4 cup): Adds silkiness and a rich buttery note, elevating the texture and mouthfeel.
- Lemon juice (1/4 cup, about 1 lemon): Brings vibrant acidity to brighten and balance the creaminess.
- Dijon mustard (2 teaspoons): Offers a subtle sharpness and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Miso paste (1 teaspoon): Loads the dressing with savory depth and umami complexity.
- Garlic (4 cloves): Infuses a bold yet mellow pungency that’s absolutely classic in Caesar dressing.
- Capers with brine (5 teaspoons): This is your salty, tangy hero—capers and their briny juice punch up flavor in a way nothing else can.
- Nutritional yeast (1/4 cup): Adds a cheesy, nutty undertone perfect for vegan recipes.
- Maple syrup (2 teaspoons): Balances acidity with a delicate sweetness for roundness.
- Water (4–6 tablespoons): To thin the dressing and get it to just the right pourable consistency.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential seasonings to bring everything into harmony.
How to Make Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe
Step 1: Soak Your Cashews
Begin by soaking your cashews in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. This simple prep softens them up, allowing the blender to whip a super-smooth texture without any grit or graininess. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference in creaminess.
Step 2: Drain and Rinse
Once your cashews are nicely soaked, drain the soaking liquid and rinse them well under cold water. This helps remove excess starch and prepares them for blending into that perfect creamy base.
Step 3: Blend All Ingredients Together
Gather your drained cashews, olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, miso paste, garlic cloves, capers along with their brine, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, and half of the water into a high-speed blender. Blend on high until everything becomes silky smooth. This is the moment your dressing transforms into that irresistible creamy finish.
Step 4: Adjust Consistency and Flavor
If your dressing feels too thick, add more water a tablespoon at a time and blend again until you reach your desired consistency. Want more tang? Add extra capers, a splash of caper brine, or a squeeze of lemon juice—trial and error here is your best friend. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 5: Serve or Store for Later
Your Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe is now ready to be drizzled over salads, tossed with veggies, or used as a dip. If you’re not using it immediately, pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate.
How to Serve Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe
Garnishes
For that authentic Caesar experience, sprinkle your salad with crunchy homemade or store-bought croutons and a generous topping of freshly ground black pepper. A few shaved vegan parmesan flakes or toasted pine nuts add lovely texture and richness that beautifully complement this dressing.
Side Dishes
This versatile Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe pairs wonderfully with hearty green salads, roasted veggies, or drizzled over crispy baked tofu. It’s also fantastic as a sauce for grain bowls or as a dip for fresh crudités, uplifting simple dishes with its bold, creamy character.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by serving the dressing in a cute glass jar alongside a platter of fresh romaine lettuce leaves, roasted chickpeas, and vegan parmesan crumbles. Alternatively, drizzle over grilled vegetable skewers or toss with warm sweet potato wedges for a delightful twist on casual comfort food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This dressing stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Give it a good stir or shake before each use, as separation naturally occurs but doesn’t affect the flavor or texture.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, it’s not recommended for this Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe because the creamy texture can become grainy after thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for optimal creaminess.
Reheating
No reheating needed here! This dressing tastes amazing cold or at room temperature, making it perfect for quick meal prep or impromptu salads straight from the fridge.
FAQs
Can I skip soaking the cashews?
Soaking is essential to get the smooth, creamy texture characteristic of this dressing. Without soaking, your blender might struggle to achieve that perfect consistency, and the dressing could turn out grainy.
What if I don’t have miso paste?
Miso adds umami depth, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can substitute with a little soy sauce or tamari. Keep in mind it will alter the flavor slightly, so adjust salt levels accordingly.
How important is the caper brine?
The caper brine brings an extra layer of tangy, salty punch that elevates the dressing’s flavor. Including a bit of the brine alongside the capers really helps mimic that classic Caesar zip, so I highly recommend it.
Can I make this dressing nut-free?
This recipe relies on cashews for creaminess, but for a nut-free version, try substituting soaked sunflower seeds or even silken tofu—though the texture and flavor will change somewhat.
What’s the best way to use leftover dressing?
Beyond salads, use this dressing as a dip for crudités or crisp veggie chips, a creamy spread on wraps or sandwiches, or even drizzled over grain bowls for extra flavor.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe enough for anyone looking to add a creamy, flavorful plant-based twist to their meals. It’s simple to make, packed with vibrant flavors, and endlessly versatile. Give it a try—you’ll find it elevates even the most humble salads into special treats worth sharing with friends and family.
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Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews and Capers Recipe
This creamy Vegan Caesar Dressing with Cashews & Capers is a flavorful plant-based alternative to traditional Caesar dressing. Made with soaked cashews, miso paste, capers and their brine, nutritional yeast, and fresh lemon juice, it offers a tangy, salty, umami-rich taste that closely mimics the classic Caesar. Ready in just 15 minutes using a blender, this dairy-free, egg-free dressing is perfect for salads, sandwiches, or as a dip.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients
Vegan Caesar Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked and drained
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon miso paste
- 4 cloves garlic
- 5 teaspoons capers with brine
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 4–6 tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Soak Cashews: Place raw cashews in a jar or bowl, cover with water, and soak for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator to soften them for blending.
- Drain and Rinse: After soaking, drain the cashews using a sieve and rinse them under cold water to remove any residue.
- Blend Ingredients: Add the drained cashews, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, miso paste, garlic cloves, capers with brine, nutritional yeast, and maple syrup into a high-speed blender.
- Puree Until Smooth: Blend on high speed until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Adjust Consistency and Flavor: If you prefer a thinner dressing, gradually add 1-2 tablespoons of water while blending until achieving your desired consistency. For more acidity or tanginess, add extra capers, caper brine, or lemon juice to taste.
- Season to Taste: Taste the dressing and add salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Serve or Store: Use immediately on your favorite salads, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week.
Notes
- Soaking cashews overnight is essential to get a smooth, creamy texture—do not skip this step.
- You can adjust the amount of capers or lemon juice to suit your taste preferences for saltiness and acidity.
- This dressing keeps well in the fridge for up to 7 days; always give it a good stir before serving.
- If you don’t have a high-speed blender, blend in batches or use a food processor, but texture might be slightly less silky.
- For a garlic milder flavor, reduce cloves to 2 or roast them before blending.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dressing
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Vegan, Plant-Based
- Diet: Vegan
