Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (2024)

This recipe is: dairy freeegg freegluten freenut free

Skip the heavy, creamy dressing and make this easy, Caesar vinaigrette instead. This homemade caesar salad dressing recipe only takes a few minutes and it’s egg and dairy free.

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Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (1)

This is the best Caesar salad dressing recipe

I have a major love-hate relationship with salad. I’m not sure why, but I go through major phases of wanting to eat salad everyday to avoidingit like the plague. I seriously can’t decide how I feel about it. Though, I will say that I think dressing is a major contributing factor.

I’m pretty against bottled dressing even though it’s inevitable that I’ll have to use one every now and then, and I’m really picky about having my salad dressed. I’m not a fan of putting my dressing on at the table. I know it seems like there isn’t much of a difference, but it seems huge to me.

So I try to make homemade dressing whenever I can. It’s not all that hard, and it makes such an impact on the flavor of a salad.

Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (2)

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (6)

Why you’ll love this caesar dressing

  • Now, I know caesar dressing can be a bit controversial. There’s so many stances you can take on the subject – creamy vs. non-creamy, anchovies or not, and is there seriously supposed to be raw egg in this.
  • I’m actually onboard with all of them (I’m not about to do the whole raw egg thing just out of laziness). But, I have to say, a caesar vinaigrette with anchovies is by far my favorite.
  • And, it’s so easy to make. The secret is anchovy paste. Ok, it’s not actually a secret, but it’s quite a time saver and gives you the flavor you’re looking for from the anchovies without having to actually chop up those squishy little filets.

This recipe makes enough for 1 really big salad or two average sized ones.

Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (7)

Everything you need to know about recipe name

What can I substitute for anchovies in Caesar dressing?

I like to use anchovy paste to add this particular flavor to caesar dressing. This is easily kept in the fridge and can be added to all sorts of things for adding salty, fishy flavor. Whole anchovy fillets can be pureed, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce or even capers can be substituted as an alternative to anchovy paste.

Do all Caesar dressings have anchovies?

Traditionally Caesar dressing does include anchovies or anchovy paste, and you won’t quite get the flavor right without it.

More salad dressing recipes:

  • Dijon vinaigrette
  • Homemade ranch dressing
  • Thousand island dressing
  • Ginger dressing
  • Cilantro dressing

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Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (8)

Caesar Salad Dressing

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Skip the heavy, creamy dressing and make this easy, Caesar vinaigrette instead. This homemade caesar salad dressing recipe only takes a few minutes and contains no raw egg. Plus, it’s healthy, dairy free and paleo friendly so you can enjoy it whenever you want.

  • Author: Melissa Belanger
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: about 2/3 cup 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 23 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon anchovy paste
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Whisk together dressing ingredients until the oil has emulsified.
  2. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • Category: Salads
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 176
  • Sugar: 0.4 g
  • Sodium: 498.7 mg
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1.6 g
  • Fiber: 0.1 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 2.6 mg

Published: June 8, 2020. Updated: October 10, 2022.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I will never recommend a product I don’t use or trust.

Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (9)

Melissa Belanger

Melissa Belanger is the founder and food-obsessed visionary behind Simply Whisked, where she creates dairy free recipes with simple ingredients. She lives in Wisconsin with her milk-allergic husband and two kids. Melissa's experience in developing dairy free recipes is unparalleled and she strives to make dairy-free living accessible and enjoyable. In addition to running Simply Whisked, Melissa also manages two other publications: Another co*cktail Blog, a co*cktail recipe website, and The Pasta Twins, a joint venture with her twin sister.

Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Caesar salad dressing made of? ›

Mince 3 cloves of garlic and place in a small bowl. Add mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, anchovies, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard; mix well to combine. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

What are the ingredients in craft Caesar dressing? ›

Soybean Oil, Water, Vinegar, Romano and Parmesan Made from Cow's Milk Cheeses (Part-skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Sugar, Egg Yolks, Salt, Contains Less Than 2% of Dried Garlic, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Spice (Contains Celery), Corn Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Dried Onions, Whey, Cream, Modified Food Starch, ...

How much salad dressing is enough? ›

Practice moderation when serving salad dressing — aim for approximately one to two teaspoons of dressing per cup of salad.

Are there two types of Caesar dressing? ›

When searching for Caesar salad dressing, you'll find a ton of variations — like eggless Caesar dressing or anchovy-free dressing (like the one in Kale Caesar Salad). There's also really good store-bought salad dressing.

What is a Caesar salad dressing? ›

A Caesar salad (also spelled Cesar, César and Cesare) is a green salad of romaine lettuce and croutons dressed with lemon juice (or lime juice), olive oil, eggs or egg yolks, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper.

Does all Caesar salad dressing have anchovies? ›

Does Caesar Salad Dressing Have Anchovies In It? While anchovy fish or anchovy paste is an ingredient in some Caesar salad dressing recipes, the original recipe did not use this particularly pungent ingredient. You can make this creamy dressing without any fish at all, or use a different type altogether if you prefer.

What is the main ingredients in salad dressing? ›

Salad dressings are vegetable-oil-in-water emulsions containing vinegar, sugar, an emulsifier, and flavors.

How long does homemade Caesar dressing last? ›

You can omit the anchovies if you're not a fan. The dressing will still be delicious, but it might not have the same traditional Caesar dressing flavor. How long does homemade Caesar dressing last in the refrigerator? This can be stored for up to 2 weeks.

What are the ingredients in Dole Caesar salad dressing? ›

DRESSING: SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), CORN VINEGAR, SALT, DISTILLED VINEGAR, SUGAR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF EGG YOLKS, ANCHOVY, CITRIC ACID, SPICES, XANTHAN GUM, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, NATURAL FLAVORS (MILK), DEHYDRATED ONION.

What should you avoid when dressing a salad? ›

Avoid dressings that use refined, damaged oils like soybean, corn, cottonseed, vegetable, or canola oil. Unfortunately, these oils are inflammatory and have lost most of their nutrients in the processing.

What are the 3 basic types of salad dressings? ›

In Western culture, there are three basic types of salad dressing: Vinaigrette; Creamy dressings, usually based on mayonnaise or fermented milk products, such as yogurt, sour cream (crème fraîche, smetana), buttermilk; Cooked dressings, which resemble creamy dressings, but are usually thickened by adding egg yolks and ...

What can I use if I don't have salad dressing? ›

Try a little lemon juice, lime juice, or a light vinaigrette. I have a bottle of walnut oil in my pantry which is very nice on salads, along with white wine vinegar and a little salt and pepper. You can also add yogurt or mustard and some fresh or dried herbs to your dressing.

What is in Panera Caesar dressing? ›

Soybean Oil, Water, Egg Yolk, Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled White Vinegar, Anchovies, Garlic, Molasses, Onion, Salt, Sugar, Water, Chili Pepper Extract, Cloves, Natural Flavorings, Tamarind Extract), Red Wine Vinegar, Garlic (Garlic, Water, Citric Acid), Garlic Juice (Garlic, Vinegar, Salt), Anchovy Paste (Anchovies, ...

Why is my Caesar dressing runny? ›

Pro Tip: The key to a thicker dressing is to slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking vigorously. This keeps the dressing emulsified and also helps incorporate more air into the dressing to help it thicken up. It will get even thicker in the refrigerator as the oil cools.

What is Romano Caesar dressing? ›

Fit for an emperor! This creamy and flavorful favorite has every bit of the traditional flavor of Caesar, but without the eggs and anchovies. Spread this dressing on a wrap with grilled chicken and fresh greens to create the perfect grilled chicken Caesar wrap!

Is Caesar dressing healthy? ›

It's salty, it's creamy, and it's truly perfect for any occasion. But while the ingredients in the salad itself are healthy, the dressing tends not to be. Traditional Caesar salad dressing is often full of mayonnaise, cheese, and salt, which isn't exactly the healthiest.

Is Caesar dressing made of cheese? ›

Caesar salad is all about that classic creamy dressing. The dressing should have plenty of garlic and Parmesan cheese, a bit of briny anchovies, and lots of black pepper. This classic uses raw egg yolks to build a creamy emulsion without any cream.

Does Caesar salad contain mayonnaise? ›

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.

Does store bought Caesar dressing have anchovies? ›

The origins of the first Caesar salad are disputed, but most versions that have been adapted since then usually contain at least most of the following ingredients: fresh parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovies. Many also include Dijon mustard in the lineup.

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