Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing

Ingredients

• 70 g (½ cup)raw cashews
• about 15 g (¼ cup)3-minute Vegan Parmesan cheeze
• 90 ml (6 tbsp), or to tastefresh lemon juice
• 30 ml (2 tbsp)sunflower oil (or extra-virgin olive oil)
• 1garlic scape (or 1 clove garlic)
• 2.5 ml (½ tsp), or to tastesea salt
• to tastefreshly ground black pepper
• 120 ml (½ cup)water

Instructions

1. 1

   Check the method

   The supplied recipe details list the ingredients and say the dressing serves 4, but do not include preparation instructions. Refer to the original Oh She Glows recipe for its method.

What is vegan Caesar dressing?

Caesar dressing is a savoury, tangy dressing traditionally associated with romaine lettuce and croutons. This plant-based version uses cashews for richness and vegan Parmesan for a salty, cheese-like note.

The recipe is credited to Oh She Glows. Its short ingredient list balances lemon, garlic and pepper against the creamy nuts and oil.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 186 calories, 5g protein, 8g carbs, 16g fat.

Cashews, vegan Parmesan and oil provide most of the fat, while the cashews and Parmesan contribute some protein. The lemon juice and cashews supply most of the carbohydrates. To make this a more balanced plate, serve a measured amount of dressing over a generous salad and add beans or tofu.

The key ingredients

Cashews: these provide much of the dressing’s body and mellow flavour. Raw cashews keep the taste neutral enough for the lemon and garlic to come through.

Vegan Parmesan: this adds a savoury, salty element. Since products vary, taste the finished dressing before adding more salt.

Lemon and garlic: lemon brings the sharpness expected in a Caesar-style dressing, while the garlic scape offers a gentler garlic flavour than a clove.

Balancing the flavour

Lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper are listed to taste, so their final amounts can be adjusted to suit the other ingredients. Additions should be judged against the saltiness of the vegan Parmesan.

Sunflower oil has a relatively neutral flavour; extra-virgin olive oil gives the dressing a more pronounced one. Either is specified in the ingredient list.

Getting the texture right

The ingredient list includes water, which can help set the dressing’s consistency, but the supplied method does not say how or when it is used. Follow the original recipe’s instructions for preparation and texture cues.

For serving, aim for a consistency that coats salad leaves without overwhelming them. The precise texture depends on the preparation method and the ingredients used.

Timing and preparation

No total time or soaking and blending instructions were provided with the recipe details here. Check the original method before starting, particularly if it specifies advance preparation for the cashews.

The listed yield is 4 servings. Use that as a guide when planning how much salad to dress.

How to serve it

Toss the dressing with crisp lettuce shortly before serving so the leaves stay fresh. It can also be served alongside the salad, allowing everyone to add as much as they like.

For a fuller plate, pair the salad with a source of protein such as beans or tofu, and add bread or croutons if you want a more substantial meal.

Recipe notes & tips

• Taste before adding extra salt, as vegan Parmesan can already be salty.
• Choose sunflower oil for a milder flavour or extra-virgin olive oil for a more distinctive one.
• Use the garlic scape or clove option listed, rather than both.
• Adjust the lemon juice gradually if you prefer a less sharp dressing.
• Check the original recipe for the preparation method and any cashew soaking instructions.

Variations

• Extra lemon: add a little more juice for a sharper dressing.
• Olive oil: use extra-virgin olive oil for a fruitier flavour.
• Garlic clove: choose the clove instead of a garlic scape for a more familiar garlic taste.
• Peppery finish: add more freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Too much salt: taste the dressing first, since the vegan Parmesan may be salty.
• Overly sharp flavour: add lemon juice gradually and stop when it suits your taste.
• Strong oil flavour: use sunflower oil if you want the other ingredients to stand out.
• Unclear consistency: follow the original preparation method, as the supplied details do not include texture instructions.

How to store

The supplied recipe details do not state a storage life. Refrigerate any leftover dressing in a clean, covered container and follow the original recipe’s storage guidance; stir before serving if it separates.

Frequently asked questions