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

All dressed up and ordered to-go ?: @_vegetarianna

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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

Have I made you a salad believer yet? If not, you should be canceled. JK. ? Go get your carbo load on!

Check Out These 12 Vegan Versions of Your Fave Pasta Dishes