Autumn Caesar Salad

Name: Autumn Caesar Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 delicata squash (cut lengthwise, deseeded, and sliced); 1 apple (core removed and thinly sliced); 3 cups kale (lightly massaged with olive oil and salt); 5-6 dates (pits removed); 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 tbsp dijon mustard; 1/3 cup tahini; ½ lemon (juice); ½ tbsp minced (garlic); dash coconut aminos; 1 oil packed anchovy

by Kelsey Romano on November 4, 2024

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This autumn caesar salad is the perfect fall twist on the classic caesar we all know and love. What makes this unique is the addition of squash, apples, dates and a dairy free tahini caesar. This salad is packed with nutrients, perfectly balanced, and would be delicious as a side or as a meal with the addition of the protein of your choice. It’s easy to make, so flavorful, and done in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

This autumn caesar salad is the perfect fall twist on a classic.
It is packed with seasonal veggies and your favorite fall flavors.
This salad is so easy to make and done in under 30 minutes.
The tahini caesar dressing is incredibly creamy.
The salad is completely dairy free.
It is packed with vitamins and nutrients.
This autumn caesar salad has lots of healthy omega 3 fats.
It’s can either be a side dish or served as a main dish with the addition of your favorite protein.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Tahini Caesar Dressing:

Tahini. The base of this dressing and what makes it dairy free is tahini! It adds a slightly nutty flavor and is incredibly creamy.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Be sure to choose a quality olive oil. This will give some good healthy omega 3 fats.
Anchovies. Anchovies are an essential part of traditional caesar dressing. It adds the perfect unique and salty flavor.
Dijon Mustard. Choose a dijon with minimal ingredients. This gives a great tang to the dressing.
Lemon Juice. Feel free to use juice from half a lemon or 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
Coconut Aminos. This adds savoryness and sweetness to the recipe. I like to use it in place of the typical worchestershire sauce.
Garlic. Garlic is a must in caesar dressing. You can use 2 small garlic cloves or 1-2 tsp minced garlic.
Seasonings. You will add salt and pepper to taste. Option to add in nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

Salad:

Kale. Kale is the base of this autumn caesar salad. I highly recommend lightly massaging the kale with a dash of olive oil and salt before adding toppings and dressing. Doing this helps soften the kale and makes it taste so much better.
Delicata squash. 1 small delicata squash, cut lengthwise, deseeded and then sliced. You can sub with acorn or butternut squash.
Apple. 1 apple, core removed and thinly sliced. I used honeycrisp but you can use whatever apple you have on hand.
Dates. 5-6 dates, pits removed and then diced.
Optional: Add hemp seeds, walnuts, pine nuts, etc for a little crunch factor. You can also add diced chicken for a perfectly balanced meal.

How to make this Autumn Caesar Salad

Step 1

Roast the delicata squash. Preheat oven to 425. Toss the delicata squash with olive oil and some salt. Spread on a greased baking sheet and bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from oven.

Step 2

Make the dressing. Measure out all the ingredients and place them in a quart-size mason jar, blender cup, or high-sided bowl. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can throw all of the ingredients into a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings, as needed.

Step 3

Assemble the autumn caesar salad. Add massaged kale to a large bowl. Toss with a little bit of the dressing, just until it’s lightly coated. Add squash, apple, dates, and nuts/seeds. Toss the salad again to combine. Drizzle with more dressing.

Step 4

Enjoy! Serve the autumn caesar salad into a bowl and enjoy with protein of choice!

Expert Tips

For a more traditional cheesy caesar dressing in this autumn caesar salad. Add in 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast.
Choose an olive oil packed anchovy filet for the best flavor. If it is a fully filet make sure to remove the bones.
The quality of tahini matters. You want one that is creamy and smooth. I personally only use Soom Organic Tahini.
For more complex flavor. Instead of water, use nice extra virgin olive oil for the dressing to get the desired consistency.
Throw in more veggies! This tahini caesar is versatile, you are welcome to throw in any extra veggies you have on hand. Some other veggies I think would be good are: cauliflower, shredded brussels sprouts, and even some sweet potato.

What is tahini caesar made of?

This tahini caesar is made of tahini, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic, coconut aminos, and anchovy.

Can I make this without anchovy?

Yes! As much as I would love for your to try with the anchovy for the incredible flavor, you can omit it if it’s not your thing.

How do I store it?

Store tahini caesar dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Allow the squash to cool and then store the salad in another airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Is this autumn caesar salad dairy free?

Yes! This is 100% dairy free, even though the dressing is incredibly creamy because it’s made with tahini.

What can I serve it with?

You can serve it as the side to any meal or as the main course with a protein of your choice. I personally think diced chicken would be a delicious addition.