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 absolutely the best Caesar dressing yet, and I’ve been trying different versions for years. I receive raves every time I serve it, and have passed it on dozens of times. Don’t pass this one up!
Go to caesar salad dressing recipe! So good!
I love this easy to make ceasar salad recipe. It’s always a hit at home and my go to side dish for potlucks. I’m a busy mom of 3 and full time worker, so this is simple, fast and delicious. I add a little bit more lemon like an extra teaspoon and 1/8th cup of water to give it more consistency (a matter of preference). It’s delicious even if you follow it to the T.
Jenn is my favorite go-to for recipes. I have honestly never had a bad recipe. Therefore, while this caesar dressing recipe is unconventional, and some would snub it because of the mayo, I gave it a try. It was fantastic! I make it exactly as written, including the anchovy paste. Don’t skip the paste, as many of us want to do. It adds so much depth and it is not fishy at all. This will be my caesar dressing from now on!
Absolutely OUTSTANDING! My only change is that I make my own mayonnaise for the recipe, which I do with an immersion blender and avocado oil. As I’m on a ketogenic diet, it’s a terrific, healthy, and DELICIOUS option.
Melissa, thank you for sharing your update on how to create this with an immersion blender and avocado oil. I’m starting the Plant Paradox diet next week and was wondering how I could ever make this without conventional mayo. Now I know! Thanks!
This is the ONE !!!! I have finally found a great tasting dressing that is so easy to make. I have gotten rave reviews from everyone I have served it to. Thanks so much for posting this Jennifer !!
Hi! My name is Patricia and I am from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I found your blog while searching for a Caesar salad dressing recipe. I followed yours with just two changes: I did not use anchovies (just because I couldn’t find it nearby) and I used equal parts of mayo (Hellmann’s) and homemade Greek yogurt. I also followed your recipe of the perfectly grilled chicken breasts. In Brazil, limes are much more common than lemons, so I used this green fruit zest. OMG! What a taste! It was such a pleasure to find your blog. Later I will try other recipes. Cordially, Pati.
Very good Caesar dressing recipe. My family loved it.
I just made this but didn’t have anchovies and I’m literally licking the bowl I made it in!! I can’t wait to try it again with anchovies…thanks for the recipe!!
I love this caesar dressing recipe..💚 Soo easy to make & tastes great…
The only thing I do different is that I’m not a big fan of Mayo, so I use 1/4 cup mayo with 3/4 cup of Greek yogurt & also this makes it a bit thinner consistency which I like. Thanks 4 the recipe.