Caesar salad is a permanent part of the menu at almost every family restaurant, pizzeria, and food court. Even though it’s a salad, vegetarians generally don’t eat Caesar because it contains anchovies in the dressing, and sometimes bacon on top.
You can make vegetarian Caesar salad at home using these two simple recipes: one for the anchovy-free Caesar dressing, and one for easy croutons to go on top.
If you’re not feeling up to preparing your own dressing, try one of the best bottled vegetarian Caesar dressings instead. Serve in wooden bowls, with pasta or pizza.
Complete Vegetarian Caesar Salad
Toss the following ingredients in a large metal bowl. Top with additional cheese and bacon bits, if desired. Eat immediately - Caesar salad doesn't keep well.
- One head romaine lettuce, washed, leaves shredded or torn
- 1 recipe vegetarian Caesar salad dressing (recipe below)
- 1 recipe home-style Caesar croutons (recipe below)
- ¼ cup vegetarian bacon bits (imitation bacon bits), optional
- ¼ cup shredded asiago or other hard vegetarian cheese, optional
Vegetarian Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin cold-pressed olive oil (use a good quality, peppery oil)
- 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
- ¾ Tbsp. grainy mustard (such as Dijon)
- 1/2 tsp. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 5 cloves garlic
- ½ tsp. capers
- 2 Tbsp. shredded asiago or other hard vegetarian cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and optional Worcestershire sauce.
- Using the back of a chef’s knife or a garlic press, crush the garlic and add to the bowl.
- Using the back of a chef’s knife or a garlic press, crush the capers and add to the bowl.
- While whisking the ingredients in the bowl, add the shredded asiago. Taste the dressing and add salt and pepper as necessary.
Vegetarian Caesar Salad Croutons Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 thick slices stale baguette or whole-grain bread (if using fresh bread, leave out the night before preparing the croutons)
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- About 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, taste
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut the stale bread into cubes about 2 cm x 2 cm or just under 1 inch x 1 inch.
- Place the cubes into a large bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle evenly with garlic powder.
- Sprinkle generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Toss gently with your hands to make sure all surfaces of the bread cubes are covered.
- Spread the cubes out on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cubes are crusty and dried but not burnt.
- Cool before adding to Caesar salad.
Join the Conversation