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.

Fork on a plate with a Caesar salad.

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

how to make caesar salad

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.

how to make caesar salad dressing

Next, whisk in the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, and pepper.

how to make caesar salad dressing

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!

Fork on a plate with a Caesar salad.

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.

Servings: Makes 1⅓ cups (enough for about 10 starter salads)
Total Time: 10 Minutes

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

  1. 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.
  2. Note: Anchovy paste can be found near the canned tuna in the supermarket.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • 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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Comments

  • I made this exactly as stated last week, and am making a double batch today to take half to my parents. Thank you for a great and perfectly balanced recipe.

    • — Jessica on May 9, 2024
    • Reply
  • Use 1/2 the stated amount of mayonnaise and then it tastes good.

    • — Joe on May 7, 2024
    • Reply
  • Been using this for several years. Will use it until the day I die. Don’t bother anymore with Caesar’s in restaurants since they inevitably disappoint compared to this dressing. Bravo!

    • — Bruce on May 4, 2024
    • Reply
  • Omg – I regularly eat ceasar salad when out.
    This dressing is the best I’ve ever tasted!
    Well-done and thank you 😊

    • — S Giles on May 3, 2024
    • Reply
  • Capers baby salt to taste and you can substitute anchovies with anchovy paste !

    • — Melvin Groomes on May 2, 2024
    • Reply
  • I made this using whole anchovies and more garlic. It was fabulous. The garlic tamed itself somewhat the next day but it was still full of flavor. This is a keeper recipe!

    • — Marilyn on April 28, 2024
    • Reply
  • I’m not sure if anyone actually tried this recipe or if all the reviews are paid. Maybe bots?

    • — Not spam on April 27, 2024
    • Reply
    • What did you not like about this? This is my go-to Caesar recipe, I love it! That being said, I have had many variations of caesar dressing, so maybe this is different than what you usually have?

      • — HT on April 29, 2024
      • Reply
    • I use this regularly. I am also a human. My kids really enjoy it. It is not a classic caesar, perhaps, but it is yummy nonetheless

      • — Colleen on May 12, 2024
      • Reply
  • I made this exactly as written. Neither myself nor my husband cared for it. It was by no means, a bad recipe but it just didn’t have that true “Caesar ” kick.

    • — Stephanie on April 25, 2024
    • Reply
    • This is our go to Caesar recipe for ALL of my family!! Every family event they want me to bring the Caesar salad for dinner! Love love love!!

      • — Kelly Williams-Walsh on May 12, 2024
      • Reply
  • I made this dressing yesterday and it was so amazing I am making it again tonight for another salad.
    It is perfect and has the right amount of everything. Highly recommended!

    • — Josep Lluis on April 24, 2024
    • Reply
  • I was a little hesitant starting with mayo but damn girl! Amazing Caesar dressing. Perfect amount of kick just great! 👍🏻

    • — Daria on April 23, 2024
    • Reply

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