Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
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My family loves this rich and creamy Caesar salad dressing. It’s not overly garlicky or fishy — it’s just right.
Though most people buy Caesar salad dressing in a bottle, homemade is incredibly easy to make and tastes so much better than store-bought. There are many variations, but this rich and creamy version is the one my whole family loves. It’s not too garlicky and not too fishy – it’s just right. Unlike authentic Caesar dressings which are made with olive oil and thickened with raw eggs, this one has a mayonnaise base, which means you don’t have to worry if you’re squeamish about raw eggs. My kids love this dressing so much that they’ve learned to make it themselves. They don’t even wait for me to make a salad; while I cook dinner, they sit at the kitchen table with a big heart of romaine and dip the leaves in.
This recipe is part of my classic salad dressing collection, which includes go-to recipes for oil and vinegar based dressings, like vinaigrette and balsamic vinaigrette, as well as creamy dressings, such as buttermilk ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing, which are typically made with mayonnaise and dairy products.
What You’ll Need To Make Caesar Salad Dressing
Instead of whole anchovies, I use anchovy paste — makes it easy, especially if you’re squeamish about anchovies (just hold your nose and add it in; the dressing needs every last bit to taste like the real deal!)
For the cheese, it’s important to use imported Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy; domestic Parmesan pales in comparison. You can always tell if it’s authentic by looking at the rind, which is embossed with the name over and over. If the cheese is already grated, it should be labeled “Parmigiano-Reggiano,” not “Parmesan.”
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by whisking together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Next, whisk in the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, and pepper.
The dressing will keep well in the fridge for about a week. For a main course Caesar, try pairing this with my best grilled chicken. Enjoy!
Caesar Salad Dressing Video Tutorial
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Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
My family loves this rich and creamy Caesar salad dressing. It’s not overly garlicky or fishy — it’s just right.
Ingredients
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (see note)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (I like the brand Maille)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's Real
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Add the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined. Taste and adjust to your liking. The dressing will keep well in the fridge for about a week.
- Note: Anchovy paste can be found near the canned tuna in the supermarket.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (10 servings)
- Serving size: About 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 184
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 296mg
- Cholesterol: 13mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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This is OUTSTANDING and super easy! As long as you have all the ingredients, it comes together in maybe 4 2/3 mins. LOL! (…maybe even less). Do not hesitate to make this. Enjoy!!
Amazing! Best caesar dressing ever. I will never buy a store made one again. Thanks again for another great recipe!
For all you Caesar salad and lovers of Mayonnaise. Treat yourself to a Bamix stick mixer. It makes mayonnaise in 30 seconds. When you make your own mayo you control the ingredients and the flavors. Use Lemon juice, white Wine Vinegar, a mix of oils, Dijon Mustard. Plus you save $. A cup of homemade Mayo uses less than a dollar’s worth of ingredients. Once you have made your own you’ll never go back to Hellman’s!
Best caesar salad recipe ever!!! Easy, yummy, fresh. This will be a staple in my house.
This has become our “go to” dressing. The family loves it! I put all the ingredients in a small blender and blend. Super easy.
Hi Jenn,
I’d like to make your recipe but one member of our family is allergic to fish. Do you think it would greatly affect the flavor if I left out the anchovy paste, and used a Worcestershire sauce that contains no anchovies? (Such as Annie’s brand or something similar).
Thank you,
Jenni
It will taste a little different, but I think it will still be good. Hope you enjoy!
Best Caesar Salad dressing ever!!!
I’m making it again right now.
This has been my go-to Caesar salad dressings recipe for years. So easy and flavourful
If I wanted this a little thinner consistency what would you suggest?
Hi Cindy, I would add some water — just a very small bit at a time until it gets to your desired consistency. Hope you enjoy!
Super yummy and so easy! I added just a little bit more lemon juice and a little more black pepper. Everyone LOVED it! Can’t wait to make it again 🙂
Absolutely amazing caesar dressing!! This is restaurant quality. I added slightly more lemon juice for my own taste but even without, this is the perfect caesar. Creamy without tasting too mayonnaise-y, this is the perfect balance of all ingredients.