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
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
Nutrition Information
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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Love this recipe! I did add a splash of evo and acv
OMGosh!! Just made it and it was so easy and SUPER delicious!! This was my first time making caesar dressing and it is fantastic- better than the restaurants’! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Wow, this dressing is SO GOOD!! This was my first attempt at making homemade Caesar dressing and I’m hooked! I followed the recipe exactly as stated, and it tastes just like the dressing I’d get at a fancy restaurant. I love how I know exactly what the ingredients are… much healthier than anything from a bottle. Can’t wait for our salads tonight! 🙂
I just made this dressing! Its so good! Thank you for sharing!
My husband will not eat Caesar salad unless this is the dressing. Best dressing ever! I chop up anchovies instead of using anchovy paste.
I just made this recipe and it’s the BEST Caesar dressing I have ever had! Thank you!
I’ve been making this dressing for probably about a year. It’s my family’s favorite Caesar dressing! Only thing that I do even slightly different is I add a little extra lemon juice. Awesome recipe! Thank you 😊
This is the BEST mayonnaise based Caesar dressing I have ever made. My guests loved it. Thank you.
This is my favourite Caesar dressing by far! I occasionallly try a new one but invariably end up back here. Been using it for years! My only alterations: I like it blended and I add spiced croutons. Huge hit with everyone who has eaten it. Thanks Jenn!
I’ve been making this for a few years, and it always receives great reviews from our guests. My husband says it his favorite of all of the dressings I make. Jenn’s recipes always deliver. Made her Key Lime pie this week and shared with neighbors.
Excellent recipe. I prefer mine a little thinner and less mayo-ish, so I use 3/4 mayo and 1/4 olive oil. It separates a little but the flavor is amazing. I don’t normally buy pasteurized eggs so it’s easier to use this recipe with Mayo than to pasteurize my own eggs.