Why You’ll Love this Creamy Raw Caesar Dressing
Health enthusiasts, this one’s for you.
I’ve discovered a Caesar dressing that doesn’t sacrifice flavor while keeping things raw and plant-based. The creaminess from soaked almonds rivals traditional versions, minus the heavy dairy and eggs.
Ever tried to find a Caesar dressing that’s actually good for you? Most store-bought options are loaded with preservatives and sugar. Not this one.
With nutritional powerhouses like miso and kelp powder providing that umami depth, you’re getting flavor and nutrition in every spoonful.
What I love most? It takes just minutes to blend together, stores beautifully, and nobody ever guesses it’s completely raw.
What Ingredients are in Creamy Raw Caesar Dressing?
This creamy raw Caesar dressing brings together the perfect balance of nutty richness, tangy brightness, and umami depth—without any dairy or eggs in sight. The secret to its luxurious texture? Soaked almonds that blend into silky perfection.
When combined with the other carefully selected ingredients, you’ll create a dressing that rivals any traditional Caesar while keeping everything plant-based and raw.
- 1/3 cup soaked dehydrated almonds
- 1 cup water
- 1 medjool date
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons light miso
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kelp powder
- 1/4 cup olive oil (organic, cold-pressed in dark glass bottle)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (natural whole salt like sea salt)
Quality really matters when making this dressing. Opt for organic ingredients whenever possible, particularly for the olive oil, which should be cold-pressed and stored in a dark bottle to preserve its nutrients.
The almonds need to be soaked and rehydrated before blending, which softens them and makes them easier to digest while creating that creamy base we’re after.
The combination of miso and kelp powder might seem unusual in a Caesar dressing, but they provide that savory, briny flavor that traditionally comes from anchovies—making this version completely plant-based without sacrificing that classic Caesar taste profile.
How to Make this Creamy Raw Caesar Dressing
Making this dreamy raw Caesar dressing is surprisingly simple, though it does require a bit of planning ahead.
You’ll need to start by soaking 1/3 cup of dehydrated almonds until they’re fully rehydrated and soft to the touch. This vital step creates the creamy base that makes this dressing so luxurious without any dairy.
Once your almonds are ready, it’s time to blend everything together, but there’s a method to the madness.
Begin by adding your soaked almonds to your blender with about half of the 1 cup of water. This initial grinding stage is important—you want those almonds completely broken down before adding everything else. You might need to stop and scrape down the sides or add small splashes of water to keep things moving. Patience pays off here; keep blending until you’ve achieved a smooth, creamy consistency.
Then add your single medjool date for natural sweetness, 2 large garlic cloves for that essential Caesar punch, 1 1/2 teaspoons each of light miso and kelp powder (these create that umami magic), 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 4 teaspoons of bright lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.
Blend again until the dressing becomes beautifully smooth and slightly frothy.
The quality of your ingredients really shines through in a raw recipe like this. When selecting your olive oil, remember to go for organic cold-pressed in a dark glass bottle to preserve all those beneficial compounds.
And that final blend? Don’t rush it. Those last few seconds in the blender incorporate air that gives the dressing its light, whipped texture that clings perfectly to every leaf in your salad.
Once finished, you can use it immediately or store it in the refrigerator, though you might notice it thickens slightly when chilled—just add a tiny splash of water and shake before using.
Creamy Raw Caesar Dressing Substitutions and Variations
While the original recipe creates a perfect raw Caesar dressing, you can easily customize it to suit your dietary needs or what’s currently in your pantry.
For a nut-free version, swap almonds with sunflower seeds or hemp hearts. Not a fan of dates? Try maple syrup or a touch of coconut nectar instead.
No miso on hand? Nutritional yeast offers that umami flavor we’re after. The kelp powder can be skipped if you don’t have it, though it does add that subtle “sea” flavor that mimics traditional Caesar’s anchovy base.
I sometimes add a pinch of cracked black pepper or cayenne when I need an extra kick.
What to Serve with Creamy Raw Caesar Dressing
The possibilities for serving this creamy raw Caesar dressing extend far beyond the traditional romaine lettuce. I love drizzling it over kale massaged with a bit of olive oil, or using it as a dip for cucumber slices and carrot sticks.
Have you tried it on zucchini noodles? Absolute game-changer.
For a heartier meal, I spoon it over a grain bowl with quinoa, avocado, and sprouted lentils. It’s also divine as a spread on raw collard wraps—just add your favorite veggies and maybe some sprouted sunflower seeds for crunch.
My personal favorite? Mixed with spiralized sweet potatoes for an unexpected twist.
Final Thoughts
After creating this raw Caesar dressing, I’m convinced you’ll never go back to store-bought versions again. The combination of soaked almonds, miso, and kelp powder creates a depth of flavor that mimics traditional Caesar without any animal products.
I love how versatile this dressing is—drizzle it on romaine, of course, but try it as a dip for veggies or spread on wraps.
The best part? You’re getting whole food nutrition with every bite.
Remember to store your dressing in the fridge in a sealed container. It’ll last about 5-7 days, though mine rarely makes it that long. Worth every second of blending time.
Creamy Raw Caesar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Soak the dehydrated almonds in water until they’re fully rehydrated and soft to the touch.
- Add the soaked almonds to a blender with about half of the water. Blend thoroughly until the almonds are completely broken down, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Continue blending, adding small splashes of water if necessary, until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Add the remaining ingredients: the medjool date, garlic cloves, light miso, kelp powder, olive oil, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, and sea salt.
- Blend again until the dressing becomes beautifully smooth and slightly frothy. The final few seconds of blending will incorporate air that gives the dressing its light, whipped texture.
- Use immediately or transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate.
