Caesar Style Tomato Salad Recipe

This Caesar Style Tomato Salad Recipe was inspired by the flavors of a classic Caesar salad as well as an abundance of fresh summer produce. Light and refreshing, it’s an easy and delicious way to get in a boost of nutrients. Featuring a homemade dairy free Caesar dressing and toasted pine nuts, this tomato salad recipe is loaded with different tastes and textures to satisfy all your tastebuds. Serve it as an appetizer, side dish, or main course! Dairy Free Option. 

Caesar-Inspired Tomato Salad 

We have a confession to make. 😅 This recipe was kind of an accident, but it was so tasty we couldn’t not put it on the blog! That would be a disservice to you. Admittedly, this salad is not your typical Caesar recipe – We have our Spicy Shrimp Caesar Salad for that! However, it was inspired by the classic flavors. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to make! 

You see, this salad resulted from one of those nights when you just need something fast. Luckily, there we had an abundance of tomatoes on hand, but not much else. So, we got a little creative! Thus, using a handful of ingredients and a little creativity, this Caesar Style Tomato salad was born. To everyone’s surprise (especially my husband who isn’t fond of tomatoes on their own), this recipe was not only quick but really good, too. Huge score!

Don’t get us wrong, we love the well-thought-out and precisely measured recipes like Tomato Crab Bisque and Peanut Stew. Yet, there’s just something so freeing and nostalgic about simply playing in the kitchen with whatever you have on hand. You might be surprised at what you can whip up! After all, gluten free, allergy friendly eating doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful – this easy tomato salad recipe proves it! 

Health Benefits & Nerdy Nutrition 

Of course, we all know that eating fruits and vegetables is good for us. However, for this tomato salad, we took the old adage and went one step farther by carefully combining ingredients to get the most bang for your buck! 

Tomatoes 

A great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and folate, tomatoes of all kinds are also rich in antioxidants such as lycopene and beta carotene. If you’re unfamiliar, lycopene has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, improve heart health, and more! (Source) In addition, beta carotene can help improve your eye health, lung health, and cognitive health. (Source)

Pine Nuts

Did you know that it can take up to 25 years for a single pine tree to start producing edible pine nuts?! Crazy, right? But the wait is definitely worth it! Not only are pine nuts incredibly tasty, but they’re also super nutritious, too. For instance, they have been shown to help improve heart health, blood sugar levels, and brain health thanks to their high levels of omega fatty acids and fiber! (Source) 

How to Make a Caesar Style Tomato Salad Recipe

Although simple to make, this recipe comes together with multiple components including the homemade Caesar dressing, the toasted pine nuts, and the tomato salad itself. Don’t worry, though. We’ll walk you through each part! 

For the Caesar Salad Dressing

Unlike other Caesar dressings, our version is made with natural ingredients and has an egg free, dairy free option! To make it, you’ll need: 

• Egg Yolk, Mayonnaise, or Hummus
• Dijon Mustard
• Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper
• Garlic
• Lemon
• Parmesan or Nutritional Yeast

Then, just mix it all together, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use! 

For the Toasted Pine Nuts

Of course, you could add untoasted pine nuts to your salad, but taking just a few minutes to warm them up adds so much flavor! Plus, it can be done on the stovetop or in the oven. 

Stovetop Method: Warm a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the nuts, and toast for a few minutes or until they’re fragrant. Do NOT add oil or they’ll burn! 

Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit, and add the pine nuts to a baking sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes. 

For the Tomato Salad

Once all of the ingredients are prepared, it’s time to put the rest of your salad together! And it literally takes all of 10 minutes.  

1. Arrange the tomatoes on a plate. 
2. Drizzle the dressing. 
3. Add lemon slices. 
4. Sprinkle the remaining ingredients on top. 

Optional Protein Boosters  

If you want to bulk this easy Caesar salad recipe up a bit, try adding a few ingredients such as: 

• Shredded Chicken 
• Grilled Shrimp
• Baked Salmon 
• Tempeh

Can I Make the Salad and Dressing Ahead of Time? 

The dressing can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days! 

However, for the best results, we recommend serving the prepared salad fresh. If needed, it can be kept in the fridge for a few hours before the tomatoes start to become soggy. 

Do I Have to Use Caesar Dressing? 

You definitely don’t have to! Feel free to swap out the dressing for anything else you prefer. Some of our favorite options include Vegan Green Goddess Dressing and Nightshade Free Spicy Vegan Ranch! 

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