Vegan Caesar Dressing (Creamy Tahini, No Mayo)

🔍 Quick Look: Vegan Caesar Dressing

• ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
• 🎛️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
• 👥 Servings: Makes 5 servings
• 📊 Calories: ~94 kcal
• 👩🏽‍🍳 Flavor Profile: Creamy, tangy, garlicky, and savory, with a briny bite and cheesy notes.
• 💪🏼 Nutrition: 3 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber.
• ⭐ Difficulty: Easy-blend everything in a jar with an immersion blender.

👩🏽‍⚕️ Dietitian's Note

Creaminess with more plants: Artichoke hearts help stretch the tahini into a creamy dressing without relying on a large amount of oil or mayonnaise. You get richness and plenty of flavor, with vegetables blended right into the base.

Heart-friendly fats: Tahini supplies mostly unsaturated fats. Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats can help lower LDL cholesterol as part of your overall eating pattern. Traditional Caesar often contains Parmesan and egg, although its oil also supplies unsaturated fats-the ingredients and proportions matter.

A lighter approach to Caesar: Blending artichokes and water into the tahini can reduce calorie density compared with an oil-heavy dressing. Tahini still contributes calories, so portion size matters. This is a practical way to make vegetables and beans more appealing while supporting your overall eating goals.

Taste before salting: Capers, Dijon, and brined artichokes already contribute sodium. Blend first, then decide whether the dressing needs any additional salt.

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

This Vegan Caesar Dressing is flavorful enough to transform a simple bowl of beans, grains, or vegetables. Plus, it's:

• Creamy without added oil: Tahini and artichoke hearts blend into a rich, smooth base.
• Full of flavor: Lemon, garlic, Dijon, and capers deliver that tangy, savory Caesar flavor.
• Easy to make: Blend everything directly in a jar with an immersion blender.
• Meal-prep friendly: Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Versatile: Make it pourable for salads or thicker for dipping.

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Below, I share ingredient notes from both a nutrition expert's and trained chef's perspective.

• Tahini: The creamy base. Use smooth, pourable tahini and stir the jar thoroughly before measuring. Choose one you enjoy on its own; strong bitterness will carry into the dressing.
• Artichoke hearts: Use drained hearts packed in water or brine. They add body and mild tang without requiring more tahini. Avoid oil-marinated artichokes for this recipe, since their oil and seasonings change the flavor.
• Fresh lemon juice: Adds the bright acidity that balances the tahini. Start with the listed amount and adjust after blending.
• Garlic: One small raw clove gives the dressing a noticeable garlic flavor. Use half a clove if you prefer it milder.
• Nutritional yeast: Adds savory, cheesy flavor without Parmesan. This is different from baking yeast.
• Dijon mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy note that keeps the dressing from tasting flat.
• Capers and caper brine: Supply the briny, savory flavor often associated with anchovies in Caesar dressing.
• Black pepper: Adds a peppery finish. Freshly ground gives the best flavor.
• Cold water: Thins the dressing without adding more fat. Start with ¼ cup, then adjust a tablespoon at a time.

See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

🌱 Substitutions

This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt. Below are some simple ingredient substitutions.

• Fresh garlic: Use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, then adjust to taste.
• Nutritional yeast: Omit for a less cheesy dressing. It will still have plenty of flavor from the garlic, Dijon, and capers.
• Tahini: Smooth, unsweetened sunflower seed butter is a possible sesame-free alternative, but it changes the flavor and hasn't been tested in this recipe.

✔️ Storage & Meal Prep

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Adjust before serving: The dressing thickens as it chills. Stir in cold water, a teaspoon at a time, until pourable.

Prep ahead: Blend directly in a jar, cover, and refrigerate. One batch gives you dressing for salads, bowls, and wraps throughout the week.

If making a Caesar salad: Keep the dressing separate from the romaine and croutons, then toss just before serving to keep everything crisp.

🫙 More Healthy Dressings

My oil-free Beet Salad Dressing is a vibrant pink color and makes even a simple salad feel special.

This Creamy Lime Miso Dressing is bright, tangy, and deeply savory, with just enough sweetness to balance the lime. 

This Creamy Oil-Free Pumpkin Seed Dressing is about to become a staple. Instead of relying on oil, this recipe gets its silky texture from soaked pumpkin seeds and tahini.

My Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing is rich, tangy, savory, and packed with umami flavor.

5-Minute Creamy Tahini Dressing is made with wholesome ingredients-oil-free and perfect for meal prep. 

⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)

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