Healthy Caesar Dressing
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This is a Healthy Caesar Dressing recipe made with plant-based and Whole30 friendly ingredients that tastes just like the real thing! Use whole raw cashews to make a creamy, flavorful base for this homemade caesar dressing.
The creamiest plant-based Caesar dressing
Last time I did the Whole30 I had a fairly constant craving for salads. BUT they are only satisfying if I keep them interesting. I do my best to keep them interesting by changing up the toppings and homemade dressings.
I make lots of homemade dressings, but this Healthy Caesar dressing is definitely a favorite. It is creamy and tangy and keeps you wanting more. It is made with simple ingredients yet the flavor is complex and interesting.
What kitchen tools will I need to make this homemade Caesar dressing?
What ingredients will I need to make this Whole30 Caesar dressing?
You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this healthy caesar dressing with just a few simple ingredients.
- Raw cashews
- Water
- Avocado oil
- Lemon juice
- Apple cider vinegar
- Coconut Aminos
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
How do I make this Healthy Caesar Dressing recipe?
Step 1: Soak the cashews
First, soak raw cashews in water for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight. If you need to soak cashews quickly, add them to a saucepan with water, bring to a boil, cover pot and remove from heat, let sit for 15 minutes before draining.
Step 2: Add ingredients to the blender
Then, drain the water from the cashews and rinse. Next, add cashews, water, avocado oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a high-speed blender.
Step 3: Blend!
Then, blend on high until a smooth dressing remains. Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Step 4: Enjoy!
How long will this homemade caesar dressing keep in the fridge?
Once prepared, pour the ingredients into an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. I like to use wide mouth mason jars to store my homemade dressings.
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Healthy Caesar Dressing
A healthy caesar dressing made with plant-based and Whole30 friendly ingredients that tastes just like the real thing!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Soak raw cashews in water for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight
- Drain the water from the cashews and rinse – to soak cashews quickly add them to a saucepan with water, bring to a boil, cover pot and remove from heat, let sit for 15 minutes before draining
- Add cashews, water, avocado oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a high speed blender
- Blend on high until a smooth dressing remains
GP says
Hey! Do you think almonds might work instead?
Madeline says
I don’t think it would be very good. Almonds are gritty when blended while cashews are very smooth.
VWM says
Madeline! You are amazing! I so admire your cooking skills, creative skills, tech talent and your honesty. All of your posts are so visually appealing as well as informative.
Thank you. I’ll be honest 😉 I’m old and stuck in old cooking ways! So many of the
ingredients are totally foreign to me which presents a roadblock especially now when
getting out to forage for them is difficult. Lots of issues around food in this house. LOL
Also want to know which ‘diet’ you follow…..is it Whole30 or Keto or ????
Madeline says
Thank you!! I don’t follow a particular diet right now.
Allison says
I don’t have Avocado oil, would olive oil work?
Madeline says
I think it would alter the flavor. Better with a light tasting oil like light olive oil
Leah says
What if you don’t have the coconut aminos? Is there a substitute?🤔
Madeline says
Yes you can use soy sauce or tamari!
Jess Mitchell says
Just made this Wow Wow Wow. Really tasty like Caesar dressing without dairy. So creamy.
★★★★★
Madeline says
I am so glad you enjoy it as much as I do!
Jess Mitchell says
Made this for the third time. Still so good.
★★★★★
Madeline says
Thank you!!!
Morgan says
I do not know why I was so intimidated to make this recipe. It couldn’t be any easier and it is freaking delicious! Perfect amount of tartness to it and it’s incredible!!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
ah yay!! so glad you finally made it 🙂
Rayney says
This recipe should have hundreds of five star reviews. It is that good. SO DELICIOUS. I’ve been making it every week for six months now. It has us eating more salad and I like that it’s got some good nutrition to it. PS I’ve made slaw with it as well as it’s amazing.
★★★★★
Madeline says
ooo I gotta try it with slaw! thank you!
Betty Parks says
I am glad I saw this. I love potatoe salad, I will be making this soon. You have the kind of meals I love. Are these meals good for anyone who have high blood pressure and who could be a dieabetic. Thank you.
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay!
Katie says
Yayyy this was amazing! I made it for my family (some of whom don’t do dairy and all of whom can be finicky about the alternative options 😬) and everyone loved it so much that my mom immediately pulled out her old school recipe box and had me read it to her so she could write down the recipe :’)
I typically struggle with salad dressings too, this one was just too good for me to mess up I guess?
I went a little off on the seasoning based on what was available at my parents house; used a little bit of a salt-pepper-garlic combo and a little bit of that Trader Joe’s Lemon pepper, trying to get roughly the same amounts of pepper/garlic and maybe easy on the salt cuz then I added the teeniest spoon of capers. *chefs kiss*.
Ps love the videos of you and Amy on Insta lately y’all are the best <3
★★★★★
Katie says
Oh and I made sure my mom got the name of your blog down for future recipe references by the way… I’m thinkin curry poached salmon next
★★★★★
Madeline says
Aw thanks Katie this made my day! Glad the little substitutions worked, and love that it was mom approved!
Rebecca McKay says
This my GO TO salad dressing. Delicious massaged onto kale. My husband asks for it all the time.
★★★★★
Madeline says
YAY! I am so glad to hear that, Rebecca!