The Best Caesar Salad Dressing

Experience caesar salad perfection with the best caesar salad dressing. Creamy, tangy and bursting with flavor, this recipe is a winner!

This caesar salad dressing recipe is perfect for all of your summer salads. Make this delicious zesty dressing for a classic caesar, kale caesar salad or even pasta or potato salad!

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What is Caesar salad dressing?

Caesar dressing is a versatile condiment that is made using simple ingredients from the grocery store. A salad staple everywhere – this homemade dressing is beyond easy to make ahead and use year round.

Traditional Caesar dressing combines mayo, fresh parmesan cheese, fresh garlic and a number of seasonings. Follow this easy recipe for the best results, promise!

Creating a healthy Caesar dressing at home is far easier than you would think!  Honestly, it only takes five minutes and tastes far superior to any store-bought dressing.

My favorite salads to pair with our summer time grilling are any that include fresh romaine lettuce and this healthy caesar salad dressing. We’ve been perfecting this recipe for years now and after many seasons of taste testing by friends and family, it’s finally here!

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Supplies

Here are a few of the kitchen essentials that I love to use.

• Medium mixing bowl – these ones are great!
• Measuring cups – I love this set.
• Measuring spoons – these ones work perfectly.
• Whisk – for whipping the ingredients together.
• Serving spoon – to scoop out the dressing.

Homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise – the creamy base that makes everything smooth and rich.
• Parmesan cheese – adds that sharp, nutty kick we love in a Caesar.
• Juice from half a lemon – a zesty burst of freshness to brighten things up.
• Garlic cloves – because, let’s be real, garlic makes everything better.
• Brown mustard – for a tangy depth that gives the dressing a little punch.
• Anchovy paste – trust me, it adds a savory, umami boost without tasting fishy.
• Worcestershire sauce – a secret ingredient for that perfect balance of flavor.
• Salt & pepper – the final touch to season everything just right!

Dijon mustard is often an ingredient in caesar dressing but we prefer to use a spicy brown mustard like this one from Primal Kitchen.  Don’t let an aversion to dijon stop you from making delicious caesar dressing at home.

Instructions

1. Juice half a lemon.

2. Combine all of the ingredients into a small mixing bowl.

3. Use a hand blender to mix into a smooth consistency.

Tip: If the sauce is too thick, add more lemon juice.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe makes enough dressing for two family-sized caesar salads.

How do I store this sauce?

The dressing can be stored in an airtight container for a few weeks. We like to keep this easy dressing in a mason jar in the fridge to use all summer long.

This creamy caesar salad dressing comes together perfectly with the ingredients listed, however you can play with the original recipe by adding a few things to those basic ingredients. Create your own salad dressing recipe that the family is sure to love!

Variations of Caesar Dressing

Simply add or substitute ingredients to your liking…

• Use anchovy fillets or fish sauce for a substitute to anchovy paste.
• Combine avocado oil and raw eggs in a food processor to make homemade mayonaisse.  Use this instead of store bought mayo for a healthier version.
• Substitute Miracle Whip for the mayonnaise for added zip!
• Extra virgin olive oil may be used instead of fresh lemon juice.
• Add garlic powder or onion powder to taste.
• Try adding this sauce to your next potato salad!
• Good quality, plain greek yogurt may also be used instead of mayo.
• Add lemon zest or toss in another garlic clove or two for even more flavor!

We went house boating this spring and didn’t pack enough dressing for all of the salads we had planned. So, in a pinch, we added an extra cup of mayo and a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to the original recipe and it turned out just as good!

Tips & Tricks

• Whip up a batch and store it in a mason jar in the fridge. That way, it’s ready to go for your next salad or grilled dish. It stays good for a couple of weeks, and trust me, it only gets better as the flavors blend.
• If your dressing turns out a little too thick, don’t worry! Just add a splash of lemon juice or even a bit of water to thin it out to your liking. A good Caesar dressing should be creamy but still pourable.
• Want to switch things up? Try tossing in some lemon zest for extra brightness or a bit more garlic if you’re a garlic lover. You can also sub Greek yogurt for mayo if you want a lighter, tangy twist.
• If you’re not a fan of anchovy paste or don’t have it on hand, you can easily swap it with fish sauce or finely chopped anchovy fillets. Both will give you that savory umami flavor without overwhelming the dressing!

This sauce is delicious on just about anything! But most especially fresh salad or anything that has been grilled.

What to serve this dressing with?

• classic caesar salad
• fully loaded potato salad
• grilled chicken breast
• pasta caesar salad
• brussels sprouts caesar salad
• healthy kale caesar salad

If you love this caesar salad dressing, please give it a five star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!

The Best Caesar Salad Dressing

Experience caesar salad perfection with the best caesar salad dressing. Creamy, tangy and bursting with flavor, this recipe is a winner!

4.65 from 51 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Author: Heather Painchaud

Servings: 2 servings

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Ingredients

0.5x1x2x

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded
• Juice from half a lemon about 2 Tbsp
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp brown mustard
• 1 tsp anchovy paste
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Juice half a lemon.
• Combine ingredients into a medium bowl.
• Use a hand blender to mix into a smooth consistency.
• Add salt & pepper to taste.

Video

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Notes

• Whip up a batch and store it in a mason jar in the fridge. That way, it’s ready to go for your next salad or grilled dish. It stays good for a couple of weeks, and trust me, it only gets better as the flavors blend.
• If your dressing turns out a little too thick, don’t worry! Just add a splash of lemon juice or even a bit of water to thin it out to your liking. A good Caesar dressing should be creamy but still pourable.
• Want to switch things up? Try tossing in some lemon zest for extra brightness or a bit more garlic if you’re a garlic lover. You can also sub Greek yogurt for mayo if you want a lighter, tangy twist.
• If you’re not a fan of anchovy paste or don’t have it on hand, you can easily swap it with fish sauce or finely chopped anchovy fillets. Both will give you that savory umami flavor without overwhelming the dressing!

Nutrition

Serving: 2cup | Calories: 882kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 91g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 50g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1262mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 272IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 332mg | Iron: 1mg

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Hello, I’m Heather!

I'm an active mom of twin boys who is always looking for opportunities to inspire creativity through fun crafts, do-it-yourself projects and delicious recipes. This blog has been an integral part of supporting my little family and I am so grateful to have you become a part of our journey! Let's create together... Read more...