This vegetarian Caesar Salad recipe is quick to make and perfect for serving as a delicious and healthy side dish. It’s packed with fresh parmesan, homemade croutons, and crispy greens (ready in 15 minutes).
On my forever-mission to make salads that aren’t boring, I’ve created some out of the ordinary salad recipes (like this Spinach Salad and this Grilled Watermelon Salad). But sometimes the classics can be just as great, and far from boring!
Today I’m showing you how to make a classic Caesar Salad that’s completely from scratch, so easy to make, and just happens to be vegetarian!
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How to Make Vegetarian Caesar Dressing
We’ll start by making an easy homemade caesar salad dressing. To make the dressing, simply throw everything in a blender and blitz until smooth and creamy.
To make Caesar salad dressing (without the usual anchovies) you’ll need:
- Olive Oil: Caesar dressing is an emulsion, so oil is going to be our base! Use regular or extra virgin olive oil here.
- Mayonnaise: Rather than thickening with raw eggs, we’re using mayonnaise for a foolproof Caesar dressing.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a savory element to replace the anchovies that are usually found in Caesar.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is best here! Bottled juice won’t have as much tasty lemon flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: This emulsion is held together by mustard, which will keep the dressing creamy and delicious.
- Garlic: Just a clove of garlic brings major flavor to this Caesar!
Is parmesan cheese vegetarian?
Parmesan cheese is usually considered vegetarian. It is made from cow’s milk, rennet (an enzyme used in cheese-making), and salt. While traditional Parmesan may use animal rennet, many modern versions use microbial or vegetable rennet, making them suitable for vegetarians. However, it’s essential to check the label or product information to ensure it meets your dietary preferences.
VITAMIX BLENDER
This is the blender I use and adore!
Best croutons for Caesar Salad
You can use store-bought or homemade croutons here (but croutons from scratch are heaven on earth, so you should definitely do that).
To make them yourself, cut a few pieces of stale bread into cubes (sourdough bread is great with Caesar salad). Drizzle with oil (about 1 tablespoon per cup of cubed bread). Then saute over medium heat until golden brown and toasted! Here’s the full guide on homemade croutons.
Finally, mix everything together with chopped romaine or mixed greens! I love using a combination of greens (like spinach and arugula) to pack a few more nutrients in there.
Best Lettuce For Caesar Salad
The best leafy green for Caesar salad is typically romaine lettuce. Its crisp and sturdy leaves hold up well to the rich and creamy Caesar dressing, providing a refreshing and crunchy texture. However, you can also use other leafy greens like kale or spinach if you prefer a different flavor profile or want to add more nutrients to your salad.
Italian Recipe Pairings
Serve this plant-based Caesar as a side salad to any number of Italian recipes. Here are a few of our favorites!
- Vegetable Baked Ziti
- Vegetarian Lasagna
- Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- Ricotta Stuffed Peppers
- Eggplant Lasagna
Ingredients
Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil 120 mL
- ¼ cup mayonnaise 60 g
- ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese 30 g
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice 30 mL
- 1 ½ tsp dijon mustard 7 g
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 5 heaping cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
- 2 cups croutons
- ½ cup shaved parmesan cheese 60 g
Instructions
- Make Dressing: Add all Dressing ingredients to a blender and blitz until smooth and creamy. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
- Assemble: Roughly chop romaine or mixed greens. Toss together with croutons and parmesan. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat (you may not need all of the dressing).
Nutrition Information
I first published this recipe over on Amanda’s Cookin’, where I’m a contributor.
Jane McLaurin says
I agree Sarah. It’s easier to use mayo and this dressing will last a good amount of time in the fridge in a jar with a lid. I always make my own salad dressing and anything store bought will never ever compete! I add a few splashes of Worcestershire and a small dab of anchovy paste that u can buy in a tube. If some are afraid of the anchovy leave it out but you really won’t taste it. And add salt to taste at the end.
Sarah says
Isn’t homemade salad dressing the best? I love that you can make just what you need so you don’t end up with a fridge of half used bottles.
Emilie says
Super quick and easy to make, but too oily for my tastes. Would reduce the oil to 1/3 cup. Additionally, the dijon mustard flavour was a bit too prominent.
Sarah says
Thanks so much for the thoughtful notes, Emilie! 😀
Mizz P says
This turned out remarkably good considering how I kind of botched it! I used half greek yogurt and half light mayo. I think my main mistake was trying to just put it in a jar and shake it. I think it requires mechanical whizzing so I dumped the contents of my jar into a 2 C measuring cup and went at it with my 1995-era immersion blender and it came out pretty darned good. Will definitely make this again but will use a blender the next time around.
Sarah says
Thanks for letting us know how it went, Mizz! It definitely needs that blending action to fully emulsify.
Daniel Smith says
This recipe states it’s vegetarian but you use parmesan cheese that’s not vegetarian!!
Alexandria Inkster says
You are so right, Daniel! Parmigiano-Reggiano and EVERY wedge/brick of “Parmesan Cheese” I have ever seen contain RENNET — so NOT vegetarian! However, I have encountered a few pre-grated/shaved varieties of “Parmesan” which do not contain rennet OR lipase… Finding them requires some sleuthing and a great deal of label reading, but they’re out there.
Deena says
Just wanted to mention that kosher cheeses don’t have anything meat in them, otherwise they couldn’t be kosher.
Danielle says
You can DEFINITELY find vegetarian parmesan – look for it at Trader Joe’s (green wrapper) and Whole Foods.
JR says
I find sometimes that this dressing breaks and other times it doesn’t. Any idea what I’m doing or how to fix it? Love it!!! And my kids do too… which all I’m saying is WOW!!
Sarah says
So strange! Could it be different types of mayo? Try adding that in last – mayo can be finicky when you’re making it, makes sense that it might also be finicky in a sauce.
Louise Ménard says
Delicious but I added 3 cloves of garlic instead of 1 and just the right amount of Dijon it’s just perfect to me.
Cassie says
I made this the first time in my vitamix, adding all of the ingredients at the same time. It ended up separated, oily, and a bit chunky. The second time I started everything except the olive oil in the food processor, then slowly drizzled in the olive oil. The result was a delicious, emulsified, creamy dressing. Learn from my lesson and you’ll have a delicious caesar dressing that is just as good as non-veg options.
Jones says
total contradiction to say it’s vegetarian then include parmesan. Bizarre
Sarah says
There are vegetarian parmesans readily available out there! 😀
anne says
This dressing was so good! One modification I made was to add a few capers and some of the caper brine, which took it over the top!! This will be in our weekly rotation from now on!
Sarah says
Such a great idea! Thanks for the tip, Anne! 😀
Sarah says
Parmesean isnt vegetarian
Sarah says
There are vegetarian parmesans readily available out there! Check Whole Foods 😀
Leah says
Many vegetarians eat cheese. If the recipe said vegan then that would have been cause for the comments. I think it was fine for you to use parmesan cheese.
Jill says
So good! Served it to the family and a guest and the salad was gobbled right up!!
Sabine says
The perfect dressing!
Don Reiziger says
Love the recipe, but you do know how Parmesan cheese is not vegetarian right? I used a vegetarian alternative or vegan alternative
Sarah Bond says
Correct, be sure to use a vegetarian version for strict vegetarians! 😀
Jenny n says
Just to clarify, as a strict vegetarian, not vegan, on the parmesan issue…. Many parmesan cheeses do contain rennet which make it technically non-vegetarian. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s both carry real parmesan (romano too Whole Foods!) in both grated powdered and freshly grated styles.
This definitely adds to the recipe so please add if you are a vegetarian! One of my favorite dressings!
priscilla says
The salad was great, but i wasn’t a fan of the dressing.
Hana says
This is so good. I made it for a party and got tons of compliments. But I have no idea how this is 4 servings? It’s way more.
Brendan Coburn says
Please……Parmesan Cheese is not Vegetarian. It contains animal rennit. There are ‘Italian Style Hard Cheeses’ available widely which are Veggie, but they are forbidden from calling it “Parmesan”.