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Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

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This Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad is a lighter, plant-based alternative to the traditional Caesar. Shaved Brussels sprouts provide a hearty, crunchy base, while the homemade vegan Caesar dressing, made with creamy cashews, delivers the same tangy, umami-packed flavor without dairy, anchovies or eggs. Topped with roasted chickpeas, sliced almonds, and green onions, it’s an easy and impressive dish that works as a side or a main course.
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Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

I am a long time lover of Caesar Salads and why not – they are creamy, crunchy, and packed with flavor! An ever popular salad, the traditional recipe isn’t all that nutritious. That is until I gave it a Jackfruitful spin and veganized it! This Brussel Sprouts Caesar Salad is the ultimate plant-based twist on a classic, it’s light, fresh, and totally crave-worthy. Shredded Brussels sprouts step in for lettuce, giving the salad the same hearty, crunchy base yet loads more nutrients.

If you’ve never shaved your brussels and used them as a salad base – you’re in for a treat. They hold their form and texture beautifully making it easy to hold the dressing and not wilt under the weight. The whole salad is tossed in a creamy, tangy, vegan Caesar dressing that will have you swooning! It’s dairy free, made with no eggs, and no anchovies and it’s arguably way tastier and definitely healthier.

Now it might sound like I’m knocking on the traditional recipe – I am totally not, I just love it when everything I put into my body has an alternative benefit and is not just tasty! Can ya blame me? I haven’t even mentioned the crunchy roasted chickpeas yet *chefs kiss* literal, perfection my friends! And a nutritious protein and fiber rich alternative to croutons. Toss on a few green onions and sliced almonds, and you’ve got yourself a salad for the gods! It comes together in under 10 minutes and will have you dreaming of it for days to come. Perfect as a side dish or a main course topped with your protein of choice, it’s one of those recipes that makes you wonder why you ever settled for plain old Caesar salad.

What is a Caesar Salad?

The Caesar salad is an iconic dish and it all started with a little culinary improvisation and creativity! It was created in the 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restaurateur, in Tijuana, Mexico. Legend has it that during a busy Fourth of July weekend, Cardini’s restaurant faced a shortage of kitchen supplies. To meet the demand, he threw together a salad using the ingredients he had on hand, crafting a dish that became an instant hit.

What’s in A Caesar Salad?

The original Caesar salad featured crisp romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, raw egg, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, and black pepper. It was assembled tableside, making it both a visual and culinary experience for diners. Anchovies weren’t part of the original recipe but were later added by chefs to enhance the umami flavor.

Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • Brussels Sprouts: These nutrient-packed veggies are shaved into thin slices to create a hearty, crunchy base that holds up beautifully under the creamy dressing. They’re rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making this salad both healthy and satisfying. 
  • Roasted Chickpeas: These crispy little gems add plant-based protein and a nutty crunch. They’re a great alternative to traditional croutons and keep the salad gluten-free. I love having them on hand for any time I want to jazz a dish up with a little extra something something. 
  • Sliced Almonds: These add a toasted, buttery flavor and additional crunch. Almonds are also an excellent source of healthy fats and vitamin E, which enhances the salad’s nutritional profile.
  • Green Onions: Their sharp, zesty flavor adds a pop of freshness, balancing the richness of the dressing and the heartiness of the Brussels sprouts.

A No Egg Homemade Caesar Dressing Without Anchovies

This vegan Caesar dressing skips the eggs, anchovies and dairy without compromising on flavor. Cashews provide the creamy base, while nutritional yeast and miso paste deliver the savory, cheesy notes you’d expect from Parmesan. Garlic, Dijon mustard, and capers add the tangy, umami depth that makes Caesar dressing so irresistible.

  • Cashews: Soaked and blended, cashews create a creamy, luscious base that mimics traditional Caesar dressing without any dairy. They’re rich in healthy fats and have a natural sweetness that balances the tangy ingredients. 
  • Nutritional Yeast: This pantry staple delivers a cheesy, savory flavor while keeping the dressing dairy-free. It’s also high in B vitamins, adding a nutritional boost.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the dressing, adding a tangy acidity that complements the richness of the cashews.
  • Miso Paste: A fermented ingredient that provides umami depth that’s necessary to mimic the original dressing. It also adds a subtle saltiness that helps balance and enhance all the flavors.
  • Capers: These briny little bites are a classic Caesar ingredient, adding a salty, tangy kick that ties the dressing together.
  • Maple Syrup: Just a touch of sweetness balances the tangy and savory elements of the dressing, making it well-rounded and irresistible.

How To Make This Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad

Brussels Sprouts

Trim the ends off the Brussels sprouts and remove any discolored outer leaves. Use a food processor fitted with a slicing blade to quickly and evenly shave them into thin slices. If you don’t have a food processor, a sharp knife or a mandoline will do the trick. Transfer the shaved Brussels sprouts to a large mixing bowl.

Blend the Vegan Caesar Dressing

In a high-speed blender, combine the cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, miso paste, capers, maple syrup, and water. Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add more water, a tablespoon at a time, if you prefer a thinner dressing.

Assemble and Serve

To the bowl of shaved Brussels sprouts, add the roasted chickpeas, sliced almonds, and finely chopped green onions. Pour the creamy vegan Caesar dressing over the top and toss everything together until evenly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect balance of crunch, creaminess, and bold flavors!

How to Serve This Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

This salad shines on its own but can also complement a variety of meals. You can even add some crispy tofu to amp up the protein count of the dish. It’s perfect alongside roasted veggies or a hearty soup and it would be gone in seconds if you added it to your next holiday spread!

Why You’ll Love This Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

It’s dairy free, totally vegan, packed with nutrients, has more protein than the original and it is ready in 10 minutes!! It looks like a fancy salad and it takes minimal effort to prepare, it has all the elements that you love about the classic caesar – crunchy, flavorful, fresh and creamy. It’s the perfect salad for meal prep, family gatherings or holiday spreads. 

Did You Make This Vegan Caesar Salad?

Try these delicious dairy free recipes next!

Vegan Mac & Cheese

Vegan Alfredo

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Jackie Akerberg

Author of the Clean Vegan Cookbook, Food Blogger and Recipe Developer from Des Moines, Iowa. 

Jackfruitful Kitchen has proudly been featured in Forks Over Knives, Vegan Bowls, Vegan Food and Living, and DSM Magazine.

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Jackie Akerberg

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

5 from 2 votes
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This Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad is a lighter, plant-based alternative to the traditional Caesar. Shaved Brussels sprouts provide a hearty, crunchy base, while the homemade vegan Caesar dressing, made with creamy cashews, delivers the same tangy, umami-packed flavor without dairy, anchovies or eggs. Topped with roasted chickpeas, sliced almonds, and green onions, it’s an easy and impressive dish that works as a side or a main course.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: lunch, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Equipment

  • food processor, blender

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 2 lbs Brussels sprouts or 6 cups, shredded brussels sprouts
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 3 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 cup crunchy roasted chickpeas
Vegan Caesar Dressing Ingredients
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • ½ cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 tbsp miso paste
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tbsp capers
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • ½ - ⅔ cup water
  • salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Fit a food processor with the slicing attachment, and slice the Brussels sprouts. Transfer to a large bowl. Top with almonds, green onions and crispy chickpeas.
  2. Add all of the ingredients for the dressing to a high speed blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Season to taste.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

Did you make this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
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8 Responses

  1. Hi Sarah, I’m Roslyn and I’m just about ready to make your dressing for a salad. I was wondering, do you have to soak the cashews for a few hours or just put them in the blender with the rest of the ingredients?

    Reply

    1. Hi Roz – My names Jackie but I am so happy that you’re going to try out this recipe. The dressing is absolutely delicious! You have the option to soak the cashews if your blender is not very powerful. I blended them from raw and the dressing was still incredibly smooth!

      Reply

  4. 5 stars
    Truth…I only made the dressing. I used it on a baked potato topped with salad. I do not particularly like nutritional yeast. This dressing is delicious! It’s a combo of dressing and cheese sauce, but in a great way. I will use this over and over. Making the whole salad tomorrow!

    Reply

    1. Hey Sarah! I love that you made this dressing and used it in your own way. It truly is amazing and so versatile! Thanks for sharing your modifications and your experience, I appreciate you taking the time to review and rate 🙂 Can’t wait for you to try the whole salad!

      Reply
5 from 2 votes

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