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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I’m in the UK. Do you have a weight for ‘a cup’, please?
I usually buy caesar dressing and am keen to make my own. I grow my own lettuce and make my own croutons 🙂
Thanks
Hi Jane, I believe 1 cup of mayonnaise is about 8 ounces.
Hi Jenn
I made this yesterday and will never again buy ready made caesar dressing – even though I always used to buy fresh! It was delicious, as expected. I didn’t have anchovy paste and so used one anchovy from tinned anchovies in olive oil (I halved the recipe). Many thanks 🙂
This Ceasar dressing is outstanding! Husband liked it so I will be making this again, but trying to half the recipe.
How long will this keep in the fridge? Week?
Nevermind! Just saw your reply below! Thanks:) made it Friday night-eating what’s left tonight!! Yum!
Fantastic! Even my 78 year old Italian mother sheepishly said she preferred it to her “traditional” (with the raw egg) caesar dressing! Compares to Flemings Caesar dressing…just add pan seared prosciutto and done!
I’m living in Germany at the moment, just entering the common (I’m told) time where the honeymoon of living overseas is over and everything is just wrong for a bit! I love to cook and the food here is awesome, but some stuff I miss so much! I would run a marathon if there were real fresh jalepenos at the other end. Considering actually swimming the channel for some decent cheddar. And last night I. Just. Wanted. Caesar. Salad. Salad dressing isn’t a big thing over here in general, and it’s only the rare specialty shop where you can find a suspiciously watery bottle labeled “American Caesar.”
So I made your recipe last night and I just about cried because it was perfect and delicious and for a second I felt home 🙂
Would it be okay if I linked to you in my blog?
Thanks again! Yum!
So glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth! It’s fine to share/link.
Jenn once again, Thank you for another amazing recipe. I had an invitation to a prime rib dinner. My friend requested I make a salad for this special celebration. The pressure was on! I immediately referred to you for help. I went with your Caesar Salad. Without question it was a GREAT addition to the meal. I appreciate your additional input concerning the portions to allow for a large group. There were nine guests and your estimations were on the money. (2 cups of Roman per person) I used the full recipe to dress the salad and also took you advice in using Whole Foods in house croutons.
Glad it worked out, Carol!
Best dressing of all time, have made it repeatedly and the whole family adores it.
THIS IS THE BEST CAESAR DRESSING EVER EVERYONE ENJOYED IT. I WILL BE MAKING THIS FROM NOW ON. THANKS FOR ALL THOSE WHO SENT SUGGESTIONS.
Excellent taste and enjoyed by all. Makes enough for at least 2 salads. Keeps well in fridge.
Excellent recipe! I got tired of the store dressings and wanted something fresher tasting. The dressing was a big hit. The only change I made was to cut the salt in half.