American Cuisine, Italian Cuisine, Salads
Creamy Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe with Garlic-Roasted Chickpeas
Try out this delicious and nutritious creamy vegan caesar salad recipe that’s both gluten-free and dairy-free. It’s perfect as a main course or appetizer with recipes like my Creamy Vegan Alfredo recipe.
Making a vegan kale Caesar salad is simple and easy. All you need are a few basic ingredients. Such as kale, tahini, garlic chickpeas, and a mason jar to make the dressing.
You can also add any other veggies you prefer and switch out the garlic chickpea crisps for traditional bread croutons if you prefer. For the dressing, you can find a link to my vegan Creamy, Delicious, & Easy Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe.
The Tradition Behind Non-Vegan Caesar Salad: Why It’s Not Plant-Based
Caesar salad is a classic and beloved dish, but unfortunately, it’s not vegan. The traditional recipe includes ingredients like anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, and egg yolk, which are all animal-derived products. These ingredients give the salad its unique flavor and texture, but they also make it unsuitable for those following a vegan diet.
But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to create a vegan version of Caesar salad that is just as delicious and satisfying as the original. With plant-based alternatives like capers, nutritional yeast, and creamy tahini dressing, you can create a salad that is both delicious and dairy-free.
Ingredients & Substitutions: What Is In A Healthy Vegan Caesar Salad?
Vegan Kale Caesar salad is a simple recipe that can be easily modified to fit your tastes. I love adding avocado for extra creaminess. Of course, you can switch out the garlic chickpea crisps for traditional bread croutons. Instead of Kale, you can also use romaine lettuce. If you’re a fan of chickpeas be sure to check out my top 15 chickpea recipes here.
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a delicious and healthy vegan caesar salad:
- 1 bunch of fresh kale
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 4 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper
- 1/4 cup of tahini
- 1/4 cup of cold water
- 1 teaspoon of capers and 1/2 teaspoon of caper brine (optional, but highly recommended – see notes)
- 1/2 can of chickpeas (540 mL or 19 fl oz)
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
Get ready to transform these simple ingredients into a delicious and nutritious salad!
Helpful Tools
To make this healthy plant based Caesar Salad recipe, you don’t need any fancy equipment. Just some basic kitchen tools that you probably already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Frying Pan: You’ll need a frying pan to toast the chickpeas and croutons for added crunch and texture.
- Mason Jar: A Mason jar is perfect for mixing together the Caesar dressing ingredients. Simply add all the ingredients into the jar, screw on the lid, and shake it up until the dressing is well combined.
- Measuring Cups: You’ll need measuring cups to accurately measure out the ingredients for the dressing and croutons.
- Large Mixing Bowl: A large mixing bowl is essential for combining all the salad ingredients together. It’s important to use a large bowl to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly coated in the delicious dressing.
How To Make This Vegan Caesar Salad
To start, whip up the vegan caesar dressing by combining all ingredients in the mason jar and shaking it up. If it’s too thick, add some water to thin it out. For the chickpea “croutons,” cook them in a frying pan with olive oil until they’re slightly crispy and seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Prepare the kale by washing, de-stemming, and chopping into bite-sized pieces. Massage with olive oil or lemon juice to reduce bitterness, then toss with dressing, vegan bacon bits, and chickpea croutons. Sprinkle with vegan Parmesan and enjoy a delicious and healthy vegan Caesar salad!
Why I Love This Healthy Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe!
I love this recipe because it’s super easy to make, well-balanced, and made with healthy whole foods. The fact that it’s 100% vegan (egg-free) and dairy-free makes it a great option for those looking for a healthy and delicious Caesar salad alternative.
So, give it a try and enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal that’s both gluten-free and dairy-free. Serve it with my Vegan Gnocchi Puttanesca or with my Creamy Vegan Mushroom Risotto Recipe.
Tips & Tricks
- To make sure the kale is tender and easy to eat, massage it with a little bit of olive oil and lemon juice before adding the dressing.
- If you don’t have nutritional yeast on hand, you can use vegan parmesan cheese instead.
- For an extra burst of flavor, try adding some chopped sun-dried tomatoes or Kalamata olives to the salad.
- If you’re short on time, you can use a bag of pre-roasted chickpeas instead of roasting them.
FAQ: Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe
Yes, you can make substitutions in this kale caesar salad recipe. For example, you can use a different type of lettuce instead of kale, or use a different type of nut instead of cashews. However, keep in mind that making substitutions may alter the flavor and texture of the dish.
Yes, you can make this kale caesar salad in advance. However, it is recommended to store the dressing separately and add it to the salad just before serving to prevent the greens from wilting.
If you’re short on time, you can use a bag of pre-roasted chickpeas instead of roasting them.
To make this salad more filling, you can add protein sources such as grilled tofu, tempeh, or roasted vegetables. You can also serve the salad with a side of quinoa or brown rice.
This healthy vegan kale caesar dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 days. Leftover Caesar salad can also be stored in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. The crispy chickpeas can be stored for up to 2 weeks.
Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Kale
Dressing
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 2 cloves Minced Garlic
- 4 tsp Lemon Juice
- ½ tsp Dijon Mustard
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Fresh Ground Pepper
- ¼ cup Tahini
- ¼ cup Cold Water
- 1 tsp capers and 1/2 tsp caper brine (Optional, see notes)
Chickpea "Croutons"
- ½ can Chickpeas 540 mL 19 fl oz
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
Instructions
Dressing
- Add all dressing ingredients into a mason jar. Put on the lid and shake until ingredients are well combined. If the dressing is too thick, add a little water to adjust the consistency. Set aside in the fridge.
Croutons
- For the chickpea crutons cover the pan with a little olive oil and cook the chickpeas on medium heat until they are a little crispy and you hear a poppin. sound This should take approximalty 5 minutes on a medium heat.
- Once the chickpeas are cooked reduce heat and add, 1 tbsp garlic powder, salt to taste, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning. Mix them up and set aside.
Salad Prep
- Wash kale, remove the stems and chop into bite sized pieces. Massage the kale for a minute or two with a little olive oil or lemon juice to remove the bitterness. Add to a mixing bowl and pour on the dressing. Toss the salad and add in vegan bacon bits, top with your chickpea "croutons", sprinkle with vegan Parmesan, serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Conclusion: Vegan Caesar Salad
Try out my vegan caesar salad made with crisp kale, a zesty garlic dressing, and plant-based parmesan. This plant-powered salad is packed with nutrients and free from dairy, making it healthy and delicous. Give this healthy vegan Caesar salad recipe a try and taste the difference for yourself!
I love this vegan Caesar!! So good thank you
So happy you loved it and you’re very welcome 😀
Loved this vegan kale Caesar salad!! I put mine into a wrap and grilled it! Turned out SO amazing 🤩
Hi Caitlyn, thank you so much for trying out this recipe! My husband also always requests this in a wrap!