Don’t @ me, bro, but I love Caesar salad. I get it—should vegans really be going around saying how much they love salad when the nonvegan world already thinks that’s all we can eat? We can eat “cheeseburgers,” nachos, “chicken” ‘n’ waffles, and ice cream—so why feed into the stereotype that vegans love salad? Because salad—GOOD HEARTY SALAD—can be freakin’ delicious.
But is Caesar salad vegan?, tho? ?
Typically, Caesar salad dressing is made with anchovies (BRB, vomiting), egg (ew, that’s a chicken’s period), and Parmesan cheese (aka “cheese made from milk meant for a baby cow”). So, no, Caesar salad isn’t usually vegan. But if you’re a salad stan like me, don’t cry! Caesar salad can be made vegan, and TBH it tastes even better than the dead fish–infested original.
Restaurants
It’s a joke among my friends that I’m somewhat of a Caesar salad connoisseur. Anytime I’m at a new restaurant, if there’s a vegan version on the menu, you best bet I’ll be ordering that. Here are some of the best Caesar salads you can get while eating out:
Biff’s Jack Shack
by CHLOE
Café Blackbird
The Chicago Diner
Donna Jean
Garden Cafe
Gracias Madre
Mesa Verde Restaurant
Mohawk Bend
Simply Green Café
SunCafe Organic Cuisine
Veggie Grill
In Store
Can you believe that we live at a time when there are multiple premade vegan Caesar salad dressing options at the store?! What a time to be alive. Here are some of my faves:
Daiya
Follow Your Heart
Make Your Own
Are there no stores near you that sell vegan Caesar dressing? You can make this super-easy recipe with simple ingredients. Trust—this salad will win over even your most stubborn nonvegan uncle at the next family reunion.
Vegan Caesar Salad
1 sourdough baguette, cubed
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste
1/4 tsp. pepper, plus more, to taste
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp. water
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup almonds, finely crushed
1 Tbsp. spicy mustard
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1 bunch romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the baguette cubes in a large bowl, add the olive oil, salt, pepper, and cayenne and toss. Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 20 minutes, or until crisp.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, water, garlic, almonds, mustard, and vinegar. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large bowl and top with the croutons and dressing.
Makes 6 servings