Creamy Tahini Caesar Dressing Recipe (vegan)

Name: Creamy Tahini Caesar Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2-3 teaspoons capers; ⅓ cup tahini; 1 lemon (zested and juiced); 2 cloves garlic (zested); 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard; 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast; ¼ cup water; 3 teaspoons caper brining juice; ½ teaspoon black pepper; crushed red pepper to taste; Optional: 1 teaspoon maple syrup

Published: Apr 14, 2023 · Modified: Jan 29, 2026 by Debra Klein · This post may contain affiliate links · 61 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

I love a good Caesar Salad Dressing, especially when it’s vegan…using capers for the tang, instead of anchovies and tahini as a substitute for mayo. I developed this insanely delish recipe that you can make in just 5 minutes….because a vegan caesar dressing that’s also gluten-free should be incredibly tasty, rich with umami satisfaction and accessible to all, all the time with a few pantry staples.

Creamy caesar dressing being poured over a bed of sliced romaine on a plate with a lemon.

This post has been updated from the original posted October 5, 2019

Use this dressing on a vegan kale caesar salad with chickpea croutons, or drizzle onto some romaine or baby gem lettuce. It’s also great as a dip for veggies, or as a substitute for mayonnaise in all your favorite recipes.

If you love the combination of tahini and capers, you will also adore my tofu piccata recipe

Plate of Salad with chickpea croutons, caesar dressing and lemon

Ingredient Notes

Labeled ingredients: dijon mustard, capers, tahini, garlic, pepper, lemon and nutritional yeast.

Tahini: Tahini is made by grinding sesame seeds. Find a brand that has just one ingredient, sesame seeds.
CAPERS: Traditional Caesar Salad is made with anchovies. If you don’t like the texture of anchovies or if you’re vegan, capers will give you a briny dressing with no gritty texture. Capers are rich in umami satisfaction…you’ll use the brine and the actual capers. Even if you don’t like capers, you’ll love the end result…..especially if you choose the blended variation.
Nutritional yeast: This one ingredient takes this dairy-free Caesar Dressing and makes you think there must be parmesan cheese in it. The nutritional yeast mixes beautifully into the dressing to create the perfect flavor and texture of classic caesar dressing.
Mustard: Egg-free caesar dressing gets some color from the dijon mustard. Also, with a no-oil and no mayo dressing, the mustard helps the dressing to emulsify and become thick and creamy without needing the egg yolk.

2 ways to make it

You can make this easy tahini caesar dressing using a small bowl and whisk, or for a smoother, creamier version, use an immersion blender or food processor.

Make it with a whisk

Tahini, mustard, nutritional yeast, capers, red pepper and maple syrup.

Pour tahini into a small bowl. Zest lemon and garlic over bowl with tahini. Juice the lemon right over the bowl, then add the caper juice and water. Whisk. Whisk some more and keep at it until the dressing has emulsified.

Capers chopped, garlic and lemon zested for a whisked bowl of dressing.

Chop 2 tablespoons capers until they resemble a paste. MAsh in some of the nutritional yeast into the paste and then dumo that into the tahini mixture.

Ingredients for dressing: capers, lemon, garlic, crushed red pepper.

Whisk in the dijon mustard, maple syrup, freshly ground black pepper and some crushed red pepper to taste.

Caesar Dressing with whole capers mixed in.

Taste for seasoning, adding a bit more caper brine or lemon juice for more tang. I like to add a few whole capers too.

Make it with an immersion blender

Capers, nutritional yeast, lemon zest, garlic, tahini and mustard in a jar.

Gather tahini, mustard, capers, caper juice, water, nutritional yeast and freshly ground black pepper in a tall container. Use a microplane to zest the lemon and garlic over the container.Juice the lemon directly into the jar.

Blending creamy vegan caesar dressing with an immersion blender.

Blend until creamy. If too thick, add water 1 Tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved. Taste for seasoning. Add another splash of caper juice, some crushed red pepper or additional nutritional yeast to taste.

Debra’s Pro Tips

Short on time? Skip chopping the capers and mix them in whole.
If your dressing thickens up in the fridge, whisk in 1-2 Tablespoons water….or pour it into your jar and shake vigorously.
Store your tahini upside down in the pantry before opening and mix THOROUGHLY into a drippy consistency before first use.
Store tahini at room temperature for best results.
Sometimes tahini will seize up when mixed with liquid…that’s OK. Just keep mixing. As more liquid is added and the dressing emulsifies it won’t be so pasty.

Did you know commenting and rating recipes is one of the best ways to support your favorite food bloggers? If you made this recipe, please consider a five star rating below and leave a comment. Also, please share your photos on instagram by tagging me @dkhealthcoach and using the hashtag #debraklein

📖 Recipe

More Salad Dressing Recipes

Comments

4.96 from 88 votes (77 ratings without comment)