This vegan tahini Caesar dressing takes traditional Caesar dressing to a new level. It's creamy and nutty with bright lemon and briny capers. There's no better way to make an ordinary bed of greens taste this good. Plus, it's naturally oil-free, using yogurt and tahini for the perfect creaminess!
Tahini is my all-time favorite ingredient and has pride of place in many of my recipes. In fact, you can check out all my favorite vegan tahini recipes right here!
It's an essential component in Middle Eastern cuisine, giving hummus its classic flavor and making the best baba ganoush. But, it can also do way, way more than that. It has an earthy, nutty, slightly bitter flavor that makes both sweet and savory recipes taste even better.
I especially love adding it to salad dressings because it stands in for olive oil while still giving you a nice, creamy texture in addition to major flavor. I always have it on hand and it's the key to the very best vegan Caesar salads!
If you haven't tried it yet, make sure you pop over and take a peek at my Tahini Caesar Salad recipe. It pairs this delicious vegan Caesar dressing with Everything bagel croutons, tender baby greens, and crunchy chickpeas for a simple, satisfying meal.
Why you’ll love this Tahini Caesar Dressing
- Completely vegan - no cheese, raw eggs, or anchovies required
- Packed with monounsaturated fats thanks to the creamy tahini
- Versatile sauce served over romaine lettuce, wraps, sandwiches, and more
- Bold, pungent flavor from the fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and capers
- Can hang out in the fridge all week for the easiest salads ever
- Makes the best vegan Caesar salads ever
Ingredients for Creamy Tahini Caesar Dressing
This creamy vegan dressing is similar to classic Caesar salad dressing, but also a little different. You'll get more of a nutty, savory depth from the tahini, which honestly gives it the best flavor. Think of it as Caesar dressing reimagined, not simply a vegan version of a classic.
- Vegan yogurt - You can use any type of vegan yogurt here, but make sure it is unflavored and unsweetened.
- Runny tahini - Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds and adds a rich, nutty flavor without any actual tree nuts. The best tahini is thin and runny, not thick and clumpy. My favorite brand of tahini is Mighty Sesame and it works perfectly every time.
- Water
- Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice adds a nice brightness and is classic in most homemade Caesar dressings. You can substitute red wine vinegar, but it won't be quite the same.
- Pure maple syrup - I love adding just a little sweetness to my salad dressings. It amps up the savory notes and adds even more flavor.
- Capers - This is my secret ingredient. Traditional Caesar dressing is briny and punchy. To get that same sharpness, I use capers instead. When paired with the other ingredients, like a little Dijon mustard and nutritional yeast, it tastes very similar to the real deal.
- Dijon mustard
- Nutritional yeast - This is available in most major grocery stores and adds a nice cheesiness to replicate the parmesan cheese in traditional Caesar salad dressing.
- Raw garlic clove - Fresh garlic adds a sharp, slightly spicy flavor.
- Salt - Adjust the salt to taste. You won't need much with all the highly flavored ingredients.
How to Make Tahini Caesar Dressing
Perhaps my favorite thing about this tahini dressing is how easy it is to prepare. You literally add everything to a blender or food processor and let it whirl away. This is the easiest way to make homemade dressings quickly and the blending process aerates everything for a lovely, creamy texture.
- To a high speed blender add yogurt, tahini, water, lemon, maple, capers, Dijon, salt, nutritional yeast and garlic.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for 7 days. Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Tahini Caesar Dressing
- Blend well. We are looking for a rich, creamy dressing. Everything should be smooth and well-incorporated.
- Adjust the thickness. Add more water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add some spice. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little warmth.
- Punch it up. Add a shake of vegan Worcestershire sauce for an extra savory note.
Serving Suggestions
In addition to making the best vegan tahini Caesar salad, you can also use this dressing for wraps, sandwiches, and so much more. Basically any time you would use regular Caesar salad, give this a go. It'll work like a charm!
Other Delicious Vegan Salad Dressings
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Vegan Tahini Caesar Dressing with Yogurt
Ingredients
- ¼ cup vegan yogurt
- ¼ cup runny tahini
- ½ cup water
- 1 lemon squeezed
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp capers
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 clove garlic
Instructions
- To a high speed blender add yogurt, tahini, water, lemon, maple, capers, Dijon, salt, nutritional yeast and garlic.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Enjoy within 5 to 7 days for best quality.