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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I made this last night and wow! It is so good. Made exactly the way the recipe calls for and it did not disappoint. I have been making my own ranch dressing because it’s so hard to find salad dressings without inflammatory oils in them but I love Caesar salad and wanted to make some with the Mayo I have that is made with avocado oil. It tastes like a five star restaurants homemade caesar dressing. And it was so simple I honestly will probably never buy store bought again. We used it for chicken Caesar wraps and I made a side Caesar salad. Today for lunch I’m having a chicken Caesar salad. Thank you for sharing this recipe, it’s life changing 🙂
It’s delicious! And so easy to make. I leave the parmesan on the side because I don’t eat dairy. So so good! Thanks Jenn!
This is the best Caesar dressing I have ever tasted. We really love garlic, so add double. Great.
I am an expert at judging Caesar salads. If it’s on a menu, I will always order it!
I have made many delicious recipes over many years, but I must say this is the very best ever. My entire family and all of our friends love this recipe as well. Thank you, Jen! You NEVER disappoint!
I am an expert at judging Caesar salads. If it’s on a menu, I will always order it!
I have made many delicious recipes over many years, but I must say this is the very best ever. My entire family and all of our friends love this recipe as well. Thank you, Jen! You NEVER disappoint!
My new favorite Caesar!
It’s absolutely amazing!!
I love caesar salad. I thought making caesar dressing was complicated. I didn’t realize how easy this dressing was to make. I made it and it was delicious. Thank you for this simple yet flavorful recipe. Definitely Five Stars!
It is an excellent genuine recipe! I stick to it every time I want to make Caesar salad. Thank you!
Made this dressing and it is amazing. I noticed it said it was good for up to 5 days ? I am wondering why only 5 days as it does not contain eggs and the ingredients on their own can be refrigerated for longer.
Is the flavour compromised or is it a health concern ?
Thanks so much – so happy to have found you ! Made the Paella & the Key lime ice cream as well – everyone raved !
Glad you liked it and have enjoyed the other recipes you’ve made! The dressing may very well last longer, but I always err on the conservative side from a food-safety standpoint.
Amazing Ceasar dressing recipe. I added extra garlic and muddled it in a mortar and pestle. I also added pecorino and Parmesan cheese. Everything else I followed to a T. I didn’t add the salt, because of the pecorino, which is salty. I doubled the recipe and it was absolutely fantastic. This is a definite keeper. Thank you
Best salad dressing ever!
This was so easy to make. I will make this again with 1 small change, less mustard.
Easy and delicious. Highly recommended
I make so many of your recipes on regular rotation. I have your cookbooks, but honestly, I head to your website all the time. This salad dressing is a life changer!! I love Caesar salad. I don’t like the bottled dressings and I have tried dozens of recipes and have never been thrilled with any of them. I won’t even try the versions with raw eggs. And then I stumbled upon your recipe! Oh my goodness! It’s SOOOO good. I can now have Caesar salad any time I crave it, which is frequently! Thank you for another fantastic recipe Jenn!
Jenn, thank you for this delicious Caesar dressing! It made my husband very happy when I served him chicken Caesar salads tonight! I used your best grilled chicken recipe and he couldn’t stop praising my cooking! This will be a frequent addition to my summer meal plans.
I need to find that grilled chicken recipe 😀
Hi Della, here it is. Hope you enjoy if you make it!
Fantastic, easy and it never fails to please, I also use it as a spread on sandwiches, such as a chicken Caesar, and a quick appetizer using endive. Fresh grated Parm, fresh lemon and quality mayo are key. thanks for ‘my house dressing’
Hi Jenn I’ve made this several times and I love it but I was wondering if using non fat Greek yogurt would work?
Hi Grace, Glad you like it! I’m assuming you’d like to replace the mayo with Greek yogurt? If so, you can get away with it but I would suggest reducing the lemon juice a bit because the yogurt adds some tartness to the dressing. Please LMK how it turns out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrP_M51p9lQ&list=PLVn1ZdfiPPpoLSzw3TRItSdvfk4buPHXB&index=13
First time making any Caesar salad and this dressing was DELICIOUS! So easy to make with ingredients I had in and it went down a treat with the whole family!! Thank you X
My go to dressing! Everyone raves!!
Made for the first time tonight, and it certainly won’t be the last time! I was looking for a recipe that isn’t egg-based because I do not have any pasteurized eggs and this mayo-based recipe is AMAZING. I will never, ever buy ceasar dressing again. Followed the recipe exactly as it’s written and it was perfection — I wound up eating so much salad I didn’t have any room left for my spaghetti! Easy and delicious, a definite keeper!
Amazing, had no anchovy paste, so mashed up anchovy fillets. Had mine with mackerel and was sublime.
The best Caesar salad dressing that I have ever had. I know the best when I taste it as I have a Caesar salad several times each week and at various restaurants. My only tweak was to add more lemon juice … I use 4t of fresh squeezed lemon juice.
I could eat this salad 7 days a week – it’s that good!
This dressing is amazing and simply delicious. This will be a spring staple! Anchovy paste and mayo are huge time savers.
Easy and very tasty recipe! Will be my go to for Caesar dressing.
Loved it! Perfect & easy! With a wonderful taste.
I was craving a Cesar salad, but didn’t feel like going to the store just for a bottle of dressing. I came across your recipe and had all but the anchovy paste on hand. I substituted fish sauce, 1:1. It was the best! I will never buy bottled again, just to have it waste away in the fridge. I can make just what I need!
This is the first time I have made this dressing and it was great, so easy.
Thank you.
This has been my go-to favourite dressing for years! I will look for any excuse to make it/eat it. It makes a great veggie dip. This week, I am going to try using roasted garlic. Thank you for sharing this!
Just perfect. We have been eating tossed with either oil & vinegars so I wanted a change Made your amazing Caesar dressing and only changed the parm reg to pecorino Romano (good quality available at Costco) and eliminated extra salt. Excellent. Thank you.
Just made this!! Fabulous! Thx!
Made homemade caesar salad dressing for the first time a couple weeks ago using your recipe. It was a huge hit with all the other guests, two even said it was better than their own recipes and asked for “my” recipe 🙂 Husband really loved it and now this is my go to recipe for homemade caesar salad dressing…no more grocery store dressing!! Thank You!!
The best caesar salad dressing I have ever had. We are having chicken caesar wraps for dinner.
Perfection! This may be the best caesar dressing I’ve ever had! I didn’t change a thing…it came together in minutes, is delicious, and it goes a long way when coating so you can enjoy it for several servings. (It only gets better next day.) Delicious. Thank you!!!
I made grilled chicken last night and was looking for something other than the sides I had.Made the dressing and drizzled this delicious Caesar dressing on top! Amazing!
I can’t have eggs, soy, or dairy as I have developed allergies to those in adulthood but I LOVE Caesar salad. I saw this recipe and decided to try using allergy friendly substitutes and it turned out amazing!!!!! All I did was substitute Best Foods Vegan Mayo for the regular Mayo and Follow Your Heart Vegan Grated Parmesan for the regular parmesan. I did leave out the mustard bc I didn’t have it on hand but it was still amazing!
Wow perfect dressing ,you won’t be disappointed
re Note: Anchovy Paste cannot ne found near the canned fish at Sobeys. It was in the meat department in the fish section by the Salted Cod, and Crab Flavoured Pollock. It says right on the tube to keep refrigerated. Looking forward to trying this recipe real soon.
I was skeptical of all the 5 stars, but it’s totally a 5 star. Delicious
Love starting w mayo!! I always have dukes in the fridge… so easy peasy now I have anchovy paste!!!
I want to thank you for sharing this!!! I’m a self taught( of course with the help of friends and now online chefs) cook and love learning new international recipes as we have friends from all over the earth! However I haven’t had a Caesar salad in many years. Started craving one and nearby restaurants with excellent dressing have closed down(so sad).SO… here we are. This was so simple and few dishes used to make it! I use manchego ( sheeps milk) in place of the parm-reg b/c we prefer it and my children have cows milk intolerance . I added a t of lemon zest and a lil more garlic and cracked pepper.child still at home LOVES it— it is SO good and just what I have been craving! Thank you thank you! Can’t wait to share with friends and tell them about where I found it!
Love this.
This is a fantastic recipe and it works with or without anchovies (for those with allergies) but I’m totally for using anchovy fillets and making them into a paste with salt. It always comes out quite thick and I didn’t know if this was intentional but I love it cuz it can be used as a dipping sauce and if I need it thinner I just add a little bit of water. This really is my go-to recipe. Thank you for sharing it!
Finally found the best Caesar dressing!! This is easy and so rich and creamy. Followed it to a tee and did not waver!! Last weekend I made it with a pasta/Caesar salad and the family requested AGAIN this weekend for Easter brunch!!! Great job Jennifer!!
I love how you said you made it to the tee and did not waver, I’ve seen soooo many comments where it’s stated they like or don’t like a recipe, and oh by the way I added this and that and didn’t have x so substituted y and wonder why it wasn’t so great!! Lol, I’m getting ready to make it to the tee, made sure I have all ingredients!!! I’ll bet it’s great!
My girls love this dressing and a hit whenever I make it for friends and family! Thank you for sharing!
Amazing easy recipe
Hubbie agreed this was the best Caesar dressing ever. And being so easy makes it unbeatable!
Absolutely delicious salad dressing and very easy to make.
My family loved it and commented that it was very good.
I have made this again and will keep the recipe on standby to make it when I’m craving Caesar Salad with the yummy dressing.
Thanks for recommending Dijon mustard (I like the brand Maille). I use it on everything now. What a world of difference.
Great Cesar Salad dressing recipe!!!
Wow, made this for the first time tonight. So quick and easy and the most tastiest dressing! I won’t need to buy from the shop again – it just doesn’t compare!!
This is hands up, down and all around the absolute best recipe for this dressing ever. I love it. Adding more or less freshly squeezed lemon juice gives it that extra tang or kick you need. I love it! !! I especially love it because it doesn’t have all those little bitty seeds in the dressing that so many places like to add when it comes to Caesar dressing. Also it’s filled with all healthy fats, no carbs and it’s made fresh by moi with absolutely no additives and preservatives. It’s such a win. I wish I could post my photos I too with grilled salmon or shrimp with a kale and cabbage salad and sliced almonds. It’s a WIN!
Delicious and so easy to make. Didn’t have anchovy paste so substituted with fish sauce. I now have some always on hand.
This is a very good substitute for authentic Caesar dressing. It takes no finesse, doesn’t break, and holds up well either waiting or refrigerated. Perfect for beginners.
Omg !!! Delicious!!!! Thank you so much!!!! Easy 5 stars!!!!
Lori
This recipe was a good starting off point. I made some mods. I needed mine much more garlicky, I ended up adding 6 small cloves, 2 t dijon instead of 1, no salt, plenty of pepper. The parmesan went on the salad instead of in the dressing. It was delicious!
We almost always have at least two mayo jars open so I take the largest one and make sure there’s enough space in it. Then I use my Italian heritage cooking skills (a bit of this, a little of that, which this recipe is TERRIFIC for!) and add all of the ingredients directly into the Hellmann’s jar! There’s enough for a couple of weeks. I leave the dressing thick and leave a little water in the lettuce after cleaning it. That helps to spread the dressing and keep the calories down as much as possible. It is the best Caesar dressing and the one I compare it to when dining out!
Simple, elegant, excellent. What more could you ask for? What else would you expect from Jenn. Thank you so much.