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

Fork on a plate with a Caesar salad.
Adapted from Gourmet magazine
My family loves this rich and creamy Caesar salad dressing. It's not overly garlicky or fishy -- it's just right.
Servings: 10 starter salad portions (from 1⅓ cups)
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 small cloves garlic, 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 or Duke's
  • 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.

Notes

Anchovy paste can be found near the canned tuna in the supermarket.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (10 servings)Calories: 184kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 2gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 296mg

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.

4.84 from 1857 votes

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2,613 Comments

  • 5 stars
    This is the best recipe and is number one on my list. Better then any restaurants. 10 Stars from me. Must use Hellman’s. Miracle Whip completely different taste and not as good.

  • 5 stars
    This is a fantastic recipe. I’ve made if many times.

  • 5 stars
    Love this recipe, it is definately a keeper! We had my son over for dinner last night and he raved over it. This is full of flavor and so easy to make ~ thank you for sharing it 💖

  • 5 stars
    This is the BEST Caesar salad dressing that I’ve ever had. Rich and flavorful and downright delicious. I make a double batch; one for my dressing and one for my cut-up veggies. I always try to have this on hand, as it’s that good. No store-bought toxin dressings for me. I’m always making my own, as at least I know all the ingredients that are in it and that’s important to me.

  • 5 stars
    After trying your recipe I’ve decided to never buy the caesar dressing from store again! So good!!

  • 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! This is a huge hit in our family. I think it’s the best creamy caesar dressing I have ever tried! Thanks so much for yet another incredible recipe, Jenn x

  • 5 stars
    No joke – my husband, who is a huge Caesar’s salad fan, said this was the best salad dressing ever. It was very easy to make, which I loved. We will be making it again!

  • 5 stars
    Make it all the time. Great recipe!

  • 5 stars
    So easy to make and can now estimate the measurements. This has become our go to dressing. Thank you!

    • — Liz McAllister
    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    “Best yet” – the mother