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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Wowza! I’ve never made a ceaser dressing before! I will never get store bought again. I used whole anchovies, mashed, and garlic powder because I ran out of fresh. My 16 year old ate it… Need I say more?!
This is an excellent dressing recipe. I am pregnant and was looking for a recipe without raw eggs so this was perfect. I made it exactly as written, and my husband said it was just like Ruth’s Chris, which makes his favorite Caesar salad of all time. High praise indeed. It coated the lettuce perfectly, I wouldn’t change the consistency or anything else. Once I can eat raw eggs again I will try it with homemade mayo because it is so very good, and healthier too.
I have made this many times and it is so very wonderful. This dressing is the reason why I love to serve Caesar Salad when I host a special dinner. And now it has become one of my most requested dishes to bring.
Thank you for creating and sharing this, Jenn!
Giant fan of OUAC and even bigger fan of this Caesar salad! If you love Caesar salad then make it homemade with this recipe!!! Yum!!!
This is absolutely delicious. Super simple to make, too. I’ll never buy bottled Caesar dressing again.
Just wondering how long it stays good in the fridge for?
Hi Brianna, It keeps well for about 5 days.
Thanks to this dressing my kids have started eating salad regularly! I also make them Caesar salad wraps for school and they love it. Thank you Jenn!
I love this recipe! It is so quick and easy I don’t hesitate to make it last minute like I used to with other Ceasar salad dressing recipes. Using the paste means I’ve stopped wasting any of the little canned anchovies and I can make a smaller amount when needed. Occasionally I still use the canned anchovies when I want a stronger anchovy flavor.
This dressing is awesome! I make it all the time. My family is always disappointed when we run out and have to use a different dressing. My son loves to dip his pizza in it.
If you haven’t tried it, you must.
This is the most amazing salad I have ever made & it is requested every time we have a get together or party, neighbours have licked the bowl…don’t change a thing, it’s perfect…Bonita