Vegan Caesar Salad

To make a vegan Caesar salad, we have to look at the individual ingredients, asking what flavor or texture it brings. The next step is finding vegan ingredients that produce the same flavor or texture.
Like many of us, a Caesar salad has been our go-to salad, it’s a classic. What’s not to like, the dressing is creamy with lemon, garlic, and parmesan cheese. The classic recipe hits all of the notes, acid, umami, and salty, it’s why it is a classic. Over the last eight years, I have been working on my Caesar salad. It has continued to develop, adding new techniques and ingredients.
For me, it all comes down to finding a combination of briney sea flavors and umami, all highlighted with bright lemon juice and raw garlic.
WHAT YOU NEED…
How To Make Vegan Caesar Dressing





How to Make Garlic Vegan Croutons




How to Make Cheesy Fried Capers



How to Make Broiled King Oyster Mushrooms



How to Make Charred Romaine



Chefs Tips

Charred Caesar Salad (vegan)
Servings: 2 People
Calories: 529kcal
To make this Vegan Charred Caesar Salad, it all comes down to finding a combination of brine sea flavors and umami, all highlighted with bright lemon juice and raw garlic.
Print Recipe
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
- ½ cup cashew blanched and soaked
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Tbsp kelp granules
- ½ tsp celery seeds
- 6 oz silken tofu 6 ounces
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp black vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Cheesy Fried Capers
- ¼ cup capers dried
- 2 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
Garlic Croutons
- 2 cups sourdough bread cubed
- 2 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tsp garlic granulated
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp salt kosher
Broiled King Oyster Mushroom
- 1-2 king oyster mushrooms
- 2 Tbsp sweet soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Tbsp black vinegar
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- ¼ tsp salt kosher
Chard Romaine
- 2 romaine heads
Instructions
How to Make Vegan Caesar Dressing
- Cook the cashews in boiling water for 3 minutes.
- Allow the cashews to soak in the cooking water for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the cashews. Set aside.
- Heat a pan over medium heat, and add the extra virgin olive oil. Add the kelp granules and the celery seeds. Allow the kelp granules and the celery seeds to steep for 5 minutes.
- Place the cashews, tofu, Dijon mustard, black vinegar, and soy sauce in a high-speed blender.
- Puree until the mixture is very smooth.
- Add the kelp oil to the blender, and puree until fully emulsified.
- Add the national yeast and lemon juice. Adjust the salt levels.
- Place in the refrigerator.
How to Make Cheesy Fried Capers
- Place the capers on a few paper towels, pressing to remove as much moister as possible.
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- When the oil is hot add the capers, cooking until crispy.
- Place the capers immediately into a bowl and add the nutritional yeast, toss to coat.
How to Make Garlic Croutons
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Toss the diced bread with extra virgin olive oil, granulated garlic, nutritional yeast, and salt.
- Make sure the bread is evenly coated.
- Cook until a light golden brown and crunchy, roughly 12-15 minutes.
How to Make Broiled King Oyster Mushrooms
- Turn the broiler on.
- Slice the king oyster mushroom in ¼ inch thick slices length-wise.
- Score the mushroom creating a diamond shape.
- In a bowl combine the sweet soy sauce, olive oil, black vinegar, poultry seasoning, and salt. Mix to incorporate.
- Brush the glaze on the king oyster mushroom.
- Place under the broiler for 2 minutes, the glaze should be caramelized.
- Flip the mushrooms, glaze the other side, and broil for 2 more minutes.
- Flip again, glaze the mushroom, and set the mushrooms aside.
How to make Charred Romaine
- Remove the outer leaves.
- Cut the romaine in half length-wise.
- Heat a cast iron over high heat. When the pan is smoking hot place the outside of the romaine down and gently press.
- Cook for about 1 minute. The goal is to char the romaine but maintain the crispy freshness of the lettuce.
How to Plate Grilled Caesar Salad
- I like to smear a healthy amount of dressing on the romaine, working the dressing in-between the layers of leaves.
- Place some dressing on the plate, arrange the romaine on the plate, placing the king oyster mushrooms between the romaine.
- Garnish with the croutons and the cheesy fried capers.
Notes
Nutritional values are an estimate. T
Nutrition
Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 140g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 2916mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 8mg