Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.
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
You May Also Like
- Homemade Croutons
- Zesty Homemade Italian Dressing
- Basil Vinaigrette
- Big Italian Salad
- Russian Dressing
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
Powered by 
- 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.
See more recipes:
Comments
Add a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This caesar salad dressing recipe saved the day, thx!
I am curious, has anyone tried making this with Hellmann’s Olive Oil Mayo? How did it taste?
That’s the kind I used. Delicious!!!
I made this recipe for the first time on Christmas Eve and brought it to our big Italian Family dinner. I cannot tell you how much EVERYONE loved it! My Italian mother whom I adore, but never compliments many food things because she is a very picky eater, grabbed my arm and squeezed it gently during dinner and said to me it was the best tasting Caesar salad she has EVER tasted. She asked me to send the recipe. I will remember that moment forever. I gave you all the credit, Once Upon a Chef. I told all the family ladies about your website. I also got rave reviews on your coconut macaroons as well! Thank you for making me look good!
Thank you, Faith! I’m so happy everyone enjoyed it, especially your mom 🙂
This is the best dressing I’ve ever tasted! Will not be purchasing store bought ever again. Doubled up the amount of garlic and Dijon mustard and it came out perfect!
I love this dressing!! I have made this many times, everyone loves it!! Thank you!!
I love this recipe. The dressing is just so tasty! I have started a tradition of making it for our Italian dinner on Christmas Eve. Last year I cut the salt in half and this year I left it out completely. With all the sodium in the other ingredients you just don’t need it. And yes a little extra lemon and a dash of olive oil thins it out perfectly. Happy Holidays!
Hi Jenn!
Can I mince anchovy fillets in the food processor with the rest of the ingredients? Can’t find anchovy paste where I live!
Yes Yussra, you can definitely definitely do that. Hope you enjoy!
Yes Yussara, you can definitely do that. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Jenn! I have always eaten Ceasar salad in restaurants and really wanted to try the dressing at home. And I found your blog🤩 The dressing is soooooo simple and soooo yumm(slurp!) Me and my son went on tasting it and forgot to leave any for the salad🤣 I could not find anchovy or dijon mustard. I used the American mustard instead. Thank you so much for sharing😘
LOL — So glad you enjoyed it!
This has become a staple recipe in our home. We are a family of 9, and EVERYONE likes this dressing! The first time I made this, I was in a hurry to get to a potluck, so I had to work with what was in the pantry. I was missing the anchovy paste and Worcestershire sauce, but it was excellent anyway. Many people asked for the recipe. I do think good quality mayo makes a difference, though.
I love this recipes but I do it with 1/2 the mayo. Thins it, makes it more flavorful, and less of a splurge health-wise.
Wow! This dressing was excellent and a hit at our Christmas party. I did add a bit more lemon juice (about 1 tsp.) to thin it a bit (with the added side benefit of punching up the flavor some too). Also added an extra small clove of garlic. It can hardly be too garlicky, can it?!?