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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Absolutely the best Cesar salad dressing recipe I have every made!! 1st time I made this I was giving it away to family friends that were in need of pre-made meals. Was a little nervous about it, as you never know how something is going to turn out and then to serve it to friends – could have been a make or break the meal situation. Well, I did a double batch and keep one for home and it turned out amazing! My friend’s family couldn’t stop raving out the dressing – it even won out to my homemade chocolate cake and I make a mean chocolate cake! Kudos to you for another excellent posting!!
Just wanted you to know I appreciate your beautiful pictures, and the wonderful recipees. I’ll never buy it in the store again. Love your site!
Lori
Thank you, Lori!
LOVE IT! Made mine with olive oil mayo and it tasted great! Thanks!
This was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an inventive way to make Caesar dressing. It is so much better than any bottled Caesar.
This looks SUPER simple and yummy! I can’t wait to try it! :o)
LOVE LOVE LOVE your Caesar salad dressing method- I have searched for years for an easier way to make it and this is perfect every time- GENIUS using mayo (which DUH is made of oil and eggs!) instead of raw eggs- Thank you!!
Hi Jennifer, I’m new to your site, love your Caesar Dressing, made on the weekend, today I’m making your Stew its cooking now and smells great, next I’m trying your Granola. Keep up the good work.
Hi Jennifer, I found your website last night when I did a google search for “homemade caesar dressing”. I’m so happy I found you! My family and I loved your dressing and my husband asked me to make it for a dinner party we’re having Friday night, too. I quickly skimmed through some of your other recipes posted here and look forward to trying them out. I’ll let you know what i think. Thanks again.
Cheers!
Thank you, Amber! So glad the dressing was a hit. Hope you enjoy the recipes and look forward to hearing from you again!
Very easy and delicious . I enjoyed it with a grilled / seared romaine heart. My kids (6 and under) gobbled it up and wanted more “delicious salad.”