Capers: The secret ingredient your vegan dishes need
What's the story
Capers, those tiny green gems from Mediterranean cuisine, pack a punch of tangy, lemony flavor perfect for vegan dishes.
Their briny goodness adds a layer of complexity without the need for animal products.
This article shares five ways to incorporate capers into your vegan meals for a boost of flavor and nutrition.
Pasta perfection
Elevate your pasta dishes
One ingredient that can instantly elevate your pasta dishes is capers.
These briny, tangy morsels add a burst of flavor to any pasta dish.
Try sauteing garlic and onions in olive oil, add chopped tomatoes and capers, and toss with your favorite pasta for an easy weeknight dinner.
The saltiness of the capers perfectly balances the sweetness of the tomatoes.
Salad spark
Boost your salads
Capers are the secret ingredient to elevate your salads. Their salty tang complements leafy greens and vinaigrette dressings perfectly.
For a delicious summer salad, combine arugula or spinach with sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, olives, and a hearty sprinkle of capers.
Toss it lightly with olive oil and lemon juice for a zesty finish that enhances the capers' flavor.
Dip delight
Create flavorful dips
Vegan dips will never be the same once you start adding capers.
For a tangy vegan dip that's great with crudite or crackers, try blending capers into hummus or cashew cream.
Just process soaked cashews with lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, and capers until smooth.
This creamy dip is healthy and full of flavor, making it the perfect addition to any snack table.
Sandwich savvy
Enhance vegan sandwiches
Capers pack a punch of flavor that can elevate vegan sandwiches without overwhelming other components.
Their briny tanginess complements creamy ingredients like avocado or vegan cheese perfectly.
Toss a few on your next avocado toast or mashed chickpea sandwich spread for a surprising pop of flavor that adds brightness and crunch.
Sauce revolution
Reinvent classic sauces
Adding capers to classic sauces can help recreate that umami flavor in a vegan-friendly way.
A classic puttanesca sauce uses anchovies for that savory depth, but capers can be used as a substitute to keep it plant-based.
Just simmer crushed tomatoes with olives, capers, and garlic for a hearty sauce that goes well with pasta, rice, or even baked potatoes.