Ridiculously Easy Vegan Caesar Salad with Lemon Tofu Recipe
Introduction
This Ridiculously Easy Vegan Caesar Salad features crisp romaine, tangy homemade dressing, and flavorful lemon pepper tofu. Perfect for a light lunch or a satisfying side, it comes together quickly with simple, fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
- 5 cups fresh romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 batch homemade croutons
- 1 batch vegan Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup shaved vegan parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup caper berries
- 1/4 cup chopped olives
- Lemon pepper tofu:
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 lemon zest
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 15 ounces tofu, pressed
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the lemon tofu and homemade croutons first. Follow the instructions for making the croutons if needed.
- Step 2: Press the tofu to remove excess water. Slice into cubes or “steaks.” Mince the garlic and gather the remaining ingredients.
- Step 3: In a large container, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
- Step 4: Place the tofu into the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing flavors to develop.
- Step 5: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour the marinade with garlic into the skillet and cook until the garlic begins to brown.
- Step 6: Add the marinated tofu to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Press gently with a spatula to sear evenly. Set aside or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Step 7: While tofu cooks, chop the romaine lettuce and prepare the vegan Caesar dressing.
- Step 8: In a large bowl, combine romaine, caper berries, olives, shaved vegan parmesan, and lemon pepper tofu. Add half the dressing and toss to coat. Add more dressing if desired.
- Step 9: Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh vegan Caesar salad.
Tips & Variations
- Pressing tofu before marinating ensures it absorbs more flavor and achieves a better texture when cooked.
- Use crusty bread to make homemade croutons for extra crunch and freshness.
- Adjust garlic and lemon quantities to suit your taste preference for a stronger or milder flavor.
- Swap caper berries for capers if preferred; both add a salty tang to the salad.
Storage
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Keep the lemon pepper tofu separately in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat tofu gently in a skillet before serving, but it’s also delicious served cold.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use firm or extra-firm tofu for this recipe?
Yes, extra-firm tofu is ideal because it holds its shape well and soaks up the marinade effectively.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! Prepare the tofu and dressing in advance, then assemble the salad just before eating to keep the lettuce crisp.
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Ridiculously Easy Vegan Caesar Salad with Lemon Tofu Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Ridiculously Easy Vegan Caesar Salad features crisp romaine lettuce, tangy vegan Caesar dressing, and a zesty lemon pepper tofu that adds a protein-packed punch. Topped with homemade croutons, shaved vegan parmesan, caper berries, and olives, this fresh and flavorful salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Salad
- 5 cups fresh romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 batch homemade croutons (see linked recipe)
- 1 batch vegan Caesar dressing (see linked recipe)
- 1/2 cup shaved vegan parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup caper berries
- 1/4 cup chopped olives
Lemon Pepper Tofu
- 15 ounces tofu, pressed
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 lemon zest
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Read through all the instructions carefully before beginning to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Prepare tofu and croutons: Follow the instructions to make homemade croutons. Meanwhile, press the tofu to remove excess moisture and slice into cubes or steaks. Mince the garlic and gather remaining ingredients.
- Make the marinade: In a large container, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper. Cover and mix thoroughly.
- Marinate the tofu: Place tofu pieces into the marinade container. Cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour; longer marination enhances flavor.
- Cook the tofu: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in the marinade including garlic and cook until garlic browns and becomes fragrant.
- Sear the tofu: Add the marinated tofu to the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cover. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, pressing gently with a spatula to sear evenly. Once browned and cooked through, remove from heat.
- Prepare salad base while tofu cooks: Chop the romaine lettuce and prepare the vegan Caesar dressing according to its recipe.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine, caper berries, olives, shaved vegan parmesan, lemon pepper tofu, and homemade croutons. Pour half of the Caesar dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Add more dressing if desired.
- Serve: Plate the salad and enjoy immediately, or store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Notes
- Pressing tofu before marinating is crucial to achieve the best texture and flavor absorption.
- Marinate tofu for longer than 1 hour if time allows for more intense lemon flavor.
- Homemade croutons add the perfect crunch but store-bought can be used in a pinch.
- Salad can be stored separately from tofu and dressing to maintain freshness if not serving immediately.
- For an extra tangy flavor, add a touch more lemon zest or juice to the dressing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan
Keywords: Vegan Caesar Salad, Lemon Pepper Tofu, Easy Vegan Salad, Plant-based Caesar, Healthy Vegan Dinner, Vegan Tofu Recipe, Homemade Vegan Caesar Dressing
