Lemony Tahini Caesar Salad
Introduction
If you crave big flavor with minimal effort, this Lemony Tahini Caesar Salad will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. It reinvents the classic Caesar with a creamy, tangy tahini-based dressing kissed with bright lemon juice—no eggs or anchovies needed. This fresh, satisfying salad is bold enough to stand alone for lunch, but also makes a stunning side at any dinner table.
The Fresh Twist: Why Lemony Tahini Caesar Salad?
What sets this salad apart is its balance of zesty citrus, nutty tahini, and that unmistakable Caesar umami punch. The tahini brings a rich, creamy body to the dressing while keeping the recipe plant-based and allergy-friendly. Crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and plenty of shaved Parmesan (optional for vegans!) create a craveworthy texture in every forkful. It’s quick to assemble and sure to impress a crowd with its modern, crowd-pleasing flavors.
Crafting the Creamy Lemon-Tahini Dressing
The secret to a vibrant, flavorful Caesar is all in the dressing. For this plant-based version, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and a touch of olive oil. A splash of water ensures perfect creaminess, while nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan can add more depth if desired. Always taste and adjust the seasoning—it should be assertively tangy, savory, and just a little garlicky.
Building Your Lemony Tahini Caesar Salad
Wash and dry crisp romaine lettuce, chop it into bite-size pieces, and toss with your homemade dressing until all the leaves are glistening. Add a generous layer of homemade or store-bought croutons, and finish with freshly cracked black pepper and a sprinkle of Parmesan, vegan or otherwise. Toss again right before serving for even flavor in every bite.
Serving Suggestions for a Show Stopping Salad
Serve the finished salad in a chilled bowl with extra lemon wedges on the side. For a heartier meal, top with sliced grilled chicken, crispy chickpeas, or even roasted salmon. Pair with a crusty baguette or serve as a refreshing first course to any Italian-inspired meal. Its fresh, creamy flavors make it universally appealing, even to traditional Caesar lovers.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields 4 generous side salad portions or 2 large entrée salads. On average, each serving contains approximately 220-270 calories, depending on crouton and cheese additions. It’s rich in healthy fats and vitamin C, with plenty of fiber and plant-based protein from the tahini.
Lemony Tahini Caesar Salad (Recap)
Bright, creamy, and packed with umami, this Lemony Tahini Caesar Salad delivers Caesar flavor with a wholesome, modern twist. Its ease and boldness make it perfect for weekday lunches, meal prep, or as an inspired addition to any gathering.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk the tahini, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and olive oil until smooth. Slowly add water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dressing is thick but pourable. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan if using. Taste and adjust acidity or seasoning as needed.
- Toss the salad: In a large serving bowl, combine chopped romaine and croutons. Drizzle with half of the dressing and toss well to coat, adding more as desired. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan or vegan Parmesan, if using.
- Finish and serve: Top the salad with more fresh pepper, extra croutons, and lemon wedges. Add optional toppings like grilled chicken or chickpeas. Serve immediately while crisp and fresh.
Weekly Meal Planning
This salad is a meal prep hero—whisk the dressing ahead and store separately from the greens and toppings for up to 5 days. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal planner, and CookifyAI will automatically create smart shopping lists, calculate needed quantities for multiple servings, and organize your groceries by store section.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically calculates total ingredients across all your planned meals
- Organizes shopping lists by grocery category
- Helps prevent forgotten items and overbuying
- Enables efficient, stress-free weekly meal prep
Pro tip: When planning the week’s meals, schedule this and other recipes together to consolidate ingredients—saving both time and money at the store!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes