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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This salad dressing is FABULOUS. Thanks so much, Jenn. Just wondering what bread you’d recommend for croutons and the method you prefer – baked or fried?
Glad you like the dressing! See this recipe for some easy croutons. 🙂
I’ve been using this recipe for years! No other Cesar dressing compares!
I love this dressing. I add olive oil to thin it and a little hot sauce for some zip!
Have searched for a long time a dressing receipe and this is just one!! Thank you!!
My new “go to” Caesar salad recipe! Loved watching your other recipe video’s while I made this dressing. Can’t wait to try some of them! Thank you!
Such a good recipe. It came together quickly and tastes terrific!
I’ve made this dressing a dozen time s and each and every time it gets raves from my family an friends! It really is the best! Thank you for sharing.
Such a simple and delicious dressing–way outdoes anything you’d ever buy pre-made. I used 2 large garlic cloves and didn’t find it overpowering.
My husband (who typically skips the salad) gobbled it up and loved it. We agreed this would be great as a condiment for sandwiches too. YUM!
Love this recipe. I sub half greek yogurt and it is still very creamy.
This is so delicious and a breeze to make. My entire family loved it! I will be making this from now on.
Honestly. Worst Caesar ever. My girlfriend wouldn’t talk to me for 30 minutes after because she didn’t like it. It tasted like straight Mayo. Just gross. Who would put one cup of mayo in something. Me. Cause I thought the recipe was all five stars. Don’t do it. Your girlfriend won’t talk to you for thirty minutes for putting a cup of mayo on a salad.
OMG I LOVE mayo!! lol poor girl!
That’s why you need good mayo I bet you used Walmart brand or some crap
Mike, seems like you may have a bigger problem on your hands than the dressing. Most decent people say thank you when someone makes them dinner – not ignore you for 30 mins because they disliked something. Wishing you luck, dude.