Miso-Cashew Caesar Dressing
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 108kcal
My vegan Caesar dressing uses white miso and capers to replicate the salt-funk-acid triangle of the original — no anchovies needed. Ready in 5 minutes with a high-speed blender.
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Ingredients
- ½ cup raw cashews soaked in hot water for 30 minutes and drained
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 medium lemon juiced, ~2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons white miso paste
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 tablespoon caper brine
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place cashews in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Soak for 30 minutes, then drain completely.
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend on high for 60–90 seconds until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Taste and adjust — more lemon for brightness, more salt for depth, more miso for umami. Dressing should be tangy, savory, and slightly garlicky.
- Transfer to a jar and refrigerate until ready to use. Thins slightly as it sits — if it thickens too much, whisk in 1–2 teaspoons of water.
Notes
- White miso is what makes this taste like Caesar and not just a creamy lemon dressing — it delivers the fermented, savory depth that anchovies provide in the original. Don't substitute with other miso varieties; red miso is too strong.
- A high-speed blender (Vitamix, Blendtec) produces a completely silky dressing. A regular blender works but may leave slight texture — soak cashews a full hour if using a standard blender.
- Caper brine is not optional — it's the briny, acidic punch that anchors the whole dressing.
- Refrigerate in an airtight jar up to 5 days. Whisk in 1–2 tablespoons water to loosen before serving if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 612mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
