Kale Caesar Salad with Avocado Dressing

Vegan caesar salad with crispy chickpea “croutons” and a creamy oil-free avocado tahini dressing. Perfect for meal prep and weekday lunches!

When I first delved into finer dining on dates and amongst friends, I got nervous ordering off of the food menu.

I always ordered a Caesar salad in those instances because it’s easy to pronounce and tasty to eat.

You know exactly what you’re going to get with a Caesar.

Plentiful salad green smothered in creamy white dressing with buttery croutons and flecks of parmesan.

My ordering anxiety is gone now, which is good, because this Kale Caesar Salad with Avocado Dressing isn’t as easy to say, but it’s easier to fall head over heels for.

I recreated this comforting classic in a salad that is plant based and healthy with just a few substitutions.

Okay, maybe everything is a substitution, but when you taste it you’ll agree you wouldn’t have it any other way.

It manages to still have that refreshing creamy “Caesar” feel without any of the dairy, oil, and gluten.

Plus, you get the added benefits of healthy fats and protein where your typical Caesar can sometimes be lacking.

What You Need to Make Kale Caesar Salad with Avocado Dressing

Here’s what you need to make this salad:

• chickpeas
• Tandoori Masala seasoning
• avocado oil
• Himalayan sea salt
• Black pepper
• avocado
• tahini
• lemon juice
• garlic powder
• kale

That’s it!

Our Substitutions

Hearty kale takes the place of wimpy romaine.

A luscious avocado cream tahini makes for an oil-free creamy dreamy dressing.

Crispy baked chickpeas take over for croutons.

Microgreens add that little garnish at the end that just makes it look fantastic.

How to Make Kale Caesar Salad with Avocado Dressing

This salad is easy to make with a little prep time!

Wash and shred your kale and set it aside for easy assembly later.

Heat a skillet over medium high with a bit of avocado oil spray.

Add the chickpeas and cook them for 5 minutes, or until they start to brown a little.

Add in the tandoori masala seasoning (or spice of choice), Himalayan sea salt, and black pepper, and stir to combine.

Cook them for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the chickpeas start to pop and crack and are browned on all sides.

Meanwhile, prepare your avocado cream tahini by adding all of the ingredients to a blender and process until it’s smooth and creamy.

If your avocado cream tahini is a bit on the thicker side, don’t worry, this is OK and actually desirable!

Add the washed shredded kale to a large bowl and add the avocado tahini cream.

Massage the dressing into the kale leaves and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to soften the kale.

The key to this salad is to *really* massage the avocado cream tahini into the kale leaves with your hands.

This will give your salad that “caesar” feel.

Notes on Meal Prep

This Kale “Caesar” Salad with Avocado Tahini Cream is perfect for meal prep!

To serve, add the massaged kale to bowls and top with crispy chickpea croutons, optional microgreens, and fresh black pepper. 

I love adding a sprinkle of hemp heart son top, too!

Store leftover salad in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, though best when fresh.

Make the chickpeas and dressing ahead of time to easily assemble your salad for weekday eats.

The dressing keeps in the refrigerator for several days without oxidizing; no ugly brown sauce!

Enjoy it for lunch, dinner, or as a side to any entree and feel good about your substitutions.

Enjoy!

More Easy Vegan Salads

• My Go To Kale Salad

• Roasted Beet Salad With Citrus Tahini

• Curried Cauliflower Kale Salad

• Warm Kale Salad With Citrus Tahini

• Cran-Apple Tempeh Kale Salad

• Raw Krazy Kale Salad

• Raw Brussels Sprouts Salad

• Baked By Melissa’s Green Goddess Salad

• Wintergreen Salad With Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

• Thai Salad With SunButter Dressing

• Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad

• Kidney Bean Arugula Salad

• Chop’t Chickpea Salad

• Red Bean & Pomegranate Salad

• Roasted Fig Arugula Salad

• Golden Bean & Green Bean Salad

• Brussels Sprout Cranberry Salad

• Fall Harvest Salad

• Swiss Chard Abundance Salad

• Lemon Spinach Chickpea Salad

I Want to Hear From You

If you make this Kale Caesar Salad with Avocado Dressing recipe, let me know!

Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums.

Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.

Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipes like this one to make later.

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XO Lauren

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