This Ultimate Caesar Salad will replace your store-bought dressing. It’s Paleo, Whole30, nondairy, grain-free, and can be made AIP–great for anyone with food allergens.
Who says you need to give up your classic favorites to go on a diet? I used to think this way, but after learning about my food intolerances I felt empowered to get creative with my cooking so I can sustain a better lifestyle. You’ll notice here and there that I will quote “healthy” because, in essence, everyone’s body is made differently. Consider bio-individuality. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to health.
In this case, I recreated my boyfriend’s Ultimate Caesar Salad family recipe to make it Paleo, Whole30, and AIP appropriate.
Why is store-bought dressing unhealthy?
Marketing, as I have learned, is driven by psychology. Salads have been considered healthy for the longest time, but what is hidden in those salad dressings can be dangerous especially when you pour heavy-handed like me. To name a few, go to your refrigerator and check your salad dressings for added sugars, unhealthy transfat, and preservatives. Don’t be fooled by the false advertisements. Check out this blog post on “Why You Should Never Eat Store-Bought Dressings (Plus 5 Healthy Alternatives) on Well Me.
How to Make the Ultimate Caesar Salad Paleo and Whole30 Friendly?
- Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo – Gluten-free, nondairy, paleo and whole30 approved. It’s made with avocado oil instead of canola.
- Violife Just Like Parmesan Wedge – Not only is this my favorite brand but this is the closest vegan cheese that tastes like parmesan! This has potato starch and therefore not an AIP ingredient.
- To make it AIP, try this 4-Ingredient AIP “Grated Parmesan” (Paleo, Vegan, Nut-free) from Hurried Health Nut.
- Wild Planet Wild White Anchovies in Extra Virgin Olive Oil is better than the paste.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Either substitute with Coconut Aminos or follow the recipe for my Worcestershire Alternative.
The Ultimate Caesar Salad
Ingredients
AIP Worcestershire Sauce (Optional)
- 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 tsp date syrup
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 pc Wild Planet Wild White Anchovy
- 3 tsp orange squeeze
- 1 pinch of cayenne powder optional
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
The Ultimate Ceasar Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil EVOO
- 2 tbsp grated Violife Just Like Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsps dijon mustard
- 2 pcs Wild Planet Wild White Anchovies
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp AIP Worcestershire or coconut aminos
- 3 tbsps Primal Kitchen Avocado Mayo
- 4 cups romaine lettuce shredded
- 1/4 cup Violife Just Like Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine apple cider vinegar, date syrup, water, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, anchovy, orange, cayenne, and coconut aminos. Blend until smooth then store in a bottle.
- Dressing: In a food processor, combine EVOO, Violife Just Like Parmesan Cheese, ACV/white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, anchovies, garlic cloves, salt, pepper, AIP Worcestershire or coconut aminos, and Primal Kitchen Avocado Mayo.
- Blend to desired consistency then refrigerate before serving.
- Toss romaine salad or shredded lettuce with Ultimate Caesar Dressing and garnish with Violife Just Like Parmesan Cheese.
