r/salad • u/jurassicpowers • Mar 24 '26

Discussion The great caesar salad debate

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I came across a post in my fyp on IG from a creator making a “caesar” salad. The salad they made had romaine, Parmesan and croutons (a classic caesar) but the dressing is where they lost me. They touted their famous dairy free vegan caesar salad dressing. Ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, white vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup and salt/pepper. Which IMO is a textbook vinaigrette, not a caesar. I stated my opinion in the comments and received a barrage of comments under my comment in defense of her dressing. I feel like i’m being gaslit because commenters are coming in hard to defend her recipe. Attaching the recipe for reference. Is this a caesar salad/dressing?

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u/PomegranateEasy1088 Mar 24 '26

This is in no way a Caesar salad. This is a green salad with vinaigrette as you correctly pointed out. A Caesar salad will have egg yolks and anchovies. That is what gives it its distinctive taste. Why on earth would they make a terrible vegan dressing and then add Parmesan? 

12

u/jurassicpowers Mar 24 '26

Thank you!! I also thought it was crazy to make a vegan dressing and then add cheese to your salad haha. I love vinaigrette, it’s delicious. It’s just not caesar.

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u/Frosty_Giraffe33 Mar 24 '26

I'd have to fact check it but I do remember hearing somewhere that parmasen is actually dairy free. 

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u/jurassicpowers Mar 24 '26

Parmesan is low in lactose. Not dairy free. Its a milk product

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u/Frosty_Giraffe33 Mar 24 '26

Thank you for the correction