Ah, the Caesar salad. It’s something to behold.
I don’t know how many times I’ve gazed longingly upon other diner’s salads, while my sad, oily balsamic vinaigrette drips down lettuce that deserved something better. Something creamier. Something zesty. Something garlicky.
I think you get where this is going. I’m tired of not being able to enjoy Caesar salad because the dressing isn’t dairy-free. So I decided to make my own!
The best part is, it only takes 5 minutes. No cashew soaking, grinding, or blending involved. You can do this – and you totally should.
Origins of Caesar Salad
It’s thought that the Caesar salad originated in Mexico in the 1920s (source). Who knew?!
Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant, is believed to have created the recipe (by accident) at his restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. However, Caesar’s brother, Alex, claims that they invented the dish together prior to its success at Caesar’s Restaurant Bar.
The restaurant more commonly credited with its origination still exists today. And the salad is still made with the same original ingredients: romaine, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon, parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, egg, and a crouton.
Caesar salad has now spread across the globe and has taken on many modifications. This is our inspired, plant-based take on a similarly garlicky, zingy dressing!
How to Make Vegan Caesar Dressing
The base for this simple, 6-ingredient, 5-minute dressing is hummus. It creates a creamy, savory base that’s easy to come by since there’s almost always hummus in the fridge. Or at least in my fridge.
Next comes copious amounts of minced garlic, capers for that salty ocean taste, lemon juice + zest for brightness, and a little spicy mustard for zing. Add salt and pepper to taste and you’re good to go.
I hope you all love this dressing! It’s:
Creamy
Bold
Savory
Briney
Garlicky
Slightly spicy
Undetectably dairy-free
100% delicious
This dressing would be perfect on hearty salads, especially kale that’s been massaged with a little lemon and olive oil. Throw on some vegan parmesan cheese and it’ll taste just like the real thing – promise.
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram. We’d love to see. Cheers, friends!
5-Minute Vegan Caesar Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup plain hummus (store-bought or DIY)
- 1 tsp spicy mustard
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice, to taste
- 2 tsp capers (finely minced/smashed, plus 3 tsp brining juice as original recipe is written- adjust amount if altering batch size)
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 healthy pinch each sea salt + pepper (more to taste)
- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil (optional // for added creaminess)
- 1-2 tsp maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- To a small mixing bowl, add hummus, spicy mustard, lemon zest + juice, minced capers + brining juice, and minced garlic, and whisk thoroughly to combine. Olive oil is optional, but will add a bit more creaminess.
- Add a little hot water to thin until pourable and whisk until creamy and smooth (see photo). Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt and pepper, lemon juice, or minced garlic if desired! Maple syrup will help offset how salty and briney this dressing is, if you find you need it (I did not).
- Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator up to 5-7 days.
- This dressing is delicious on kale, romaine, and arugula. It would also be great on roasted vegetables, especially Brussels sprouts and potatoes. Top with a little vegan parmesan cheese for the ultimate Caesar salad experience.
Video
Notes
*Recipe makes ~1/2 cup dressing.
Nutrition (1 of 8 servings)
yono says
This is amazing. I substituted white beans for the hummus (and I added a bit more garlic to compensate). I make a triple recipe and we eat it all week long. This has become part of our standard rotation. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
yono says
This is amazing. I substituted white beans for the hummus (and I added a bit more garlic to compensate). This has become part of our standard rotation. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!
Amazing! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Yono. Thank you for sharing! xo
frankeee says
Way too much garlic and mustard, otherwise interesting recipe
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it! This definitely is a garlicky one, which we enjoy!
Lauralea Dawson says
This hummus dressing was fantastic! I’ve been making my own dressings for a while now and none of them hit the spot ~ this one absolutely did! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy this one, Lauralea. Thank you for leaving a review! xo
Nicole says
10/10! The only thing I would change next time is to use less garlic (can’t believe I’m really saying that). Super creamy and definitely delicious!
Amazing! Thank you for sharing, Nicole! xo
Shawnna Maltbie says
Perfection! Absolutely life changing. Thank you!
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Shawnna! xoxo
Kerri says
Have made this several times now. Adjust each time. Fab recipe. Packs a punch which we like in a Caesar. Love that it uses hummus. Always plenty left over for lunches etc.
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Kerri! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Katherine says
Omg this salad dressing has just changed the salad game!!! I can’t even believe how good this is. I really wanted to try it and didn’t have hummus but had the ingredients so I made your plain hummus to use and it was SO GOOD as well. I followed the recipe exactly other than the maple syrup-I used agave nectar because I was out of maple. I love sweet dressings so I did use the sweetener but it was definitely good without it as well. Thank you so much for this I am going to eat this every day now!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Katherine! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modification! xo
Kristina says
This recipe came together so easily! I love the briney flavor! I omitted the maple syrup. This is a big winner – even with my non vegan family members and our kiddo who doesn’t like ANY dressing! Thanks for this simple recipe – it will stay in the regular rotation!
Amazing! We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed it, Kristina. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Kristen says
The BEST vegan Caesar dressing!! I make this regularly and it’s so so good. No one can tell that it’s vegan either. So good! Love your recipes 😊
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Kristen. Thank you for your kind words and lovely review! xo
Rachel says
Very good! I didn’t add maple syrup. I’ve add it before in salad dressing it I feel like that flavor is too heavy for salad
We’re glad you enjoyed it, Rachel! Thank you for sharing! xo
Leslie Howard says
Holy crap! This was amazing! Super simple and delicious, and it was a crowd pleaser at a dinner party. No one knew it was vegan! I tripled the recipe as is, but I only added a tsp of maple syrup at the end to balance it.
Amazing! We’re so glad everyone enjoyed it. Thank you for the lovely review, Leslie! xo