Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing

Ready for the best Dairy-free Caesar Dressing that you’ll ever make?

This recipe is the perfect adaptation of a classic Caesar dressing and is completely plant-based.

With just a few simple dairy-free ingredients, you too can make this creamy, tangy dressing that you can drizzle over some crisp romaine lettuce or use as a dip for a veggie board. 

The best dairy-free Caesar dressing is the perfect balance of creamy, zesty, and pleasantly salty – if that makes sense.

Each ingredient plays an important role, so if you can, try to follow the recipe as closely as possible.

Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing Ingredients

Here's all you need for this recipe:

• Full-fat coconut milk
• Nutritional yeast
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Capers
• Dijon mustard
• Neutral flavored oil (like avocado oil)
• Salt and peper

How to Make Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing

This non-dairy Caesar dressing is simple and fool-proof!

All you need to do is add all the ingredients in a blender and blend until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.

First, I added the coconut milk.

Then the oil.

Lime juice.

Dijon mustard.

Capers

Nutritional yeast

Garlic

If it's too thick for your liking, you can always add a little water or coconut milk.

Store your dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.

No blender? No problem!

You can simply add all the ingredients into a blender and whisk it together. However, I'd highly recommend blending it to get the best texture.

What Does This Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing Taste Like?

Here’s a flavor profile breakdown of the best dairy-free Caesar dressing:

Creamy 

Full-fat coconut milk is a star ingredient when it comes to adding richness to dairy-free recipes.

Not only does it act as a great base for this dressing, but it also imparts a pleasant nutty flavor. Dijon mustard also helps to thicken the dressing.

Zesty & Tangy 

Lemon juice adds some much-needed acidity to brighten up and cut through the richness of the dressing.

It also adds a tangy and zippy flavor, much like the Dijon mustard. You can also try lime juice if you don’t have lemons. 

Salty & Briney 

Capers bring a beautiful brininess and savory-salty flavor that is very typical of a classic Caesar dressing.

Capers are the unripened, green flower buds of the Capparis spinosa bush that have been dried and preserved in a tangy liquid.

For this recipe, the capers are used to mimic the salty and fish-like flavors that anchovies lend to a classic Caesar salad.

See the substitutions and alternatives section for more.

Substitutions & Alternatives 

Coconut milk 

If you aren’t a huge fan of the coconut flavor in this dressing, then feel free to use smooth and creamy tahini and thin it out with a bit of water.

You can also use a vegan mayonnaise, which will give the dressing an even creamier mouthfeel. 

Capers

The capers add a nice briny and salty flavor to the dressing. As a substitute, you can use dulse flakes or crushed seaweed for a similar flavor profile. 

Dijon Mustard 

Although this recipe uses whole-grain Dijon mustard, you can also use regular Dijon mustard since it works just as well.

Oil 

Use a neutral flavored oil like avocado oil so that it doesn’t compete with the coconut milk flavor. If using tahini or vegan mayonnaise, still use a neutral flavored oil. 

How to Store Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing

Store this dairy-free Caesar dressing in an airtight container in your refrigerator, where it will keep fresh for 5-7 days.

When you’re ready to use it, if it’s too thick, then feel free to thin it out with a bit of water or extra coconut milk. 

What to Serve With Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing

Dairy-free Caesar dressing really goes beyond a typical Caesar salad.

It is super versatile and can be used in a number of ways.

You can use it as a marinade for grilled chicken, a dip for roasted veggies, or even drizzled over roasted veggies for a wholesome side dish.

How about a creamy sauce for a veggie burger or even tossed with cooked potatoes or pasta for an amped-up salad?

You can also use it as a base for another creamy dressing or sauce – maybe throw in some fresh dill for a quick dairy-free ranch dressing.

Honestly, just get creative with it, and you’d be surprised at what you’d come up with.