Easy Caesar Dressing: The Secret to a Perfect Salad

Caesar dressing is a key component of the classic Caesar salad, which consists of romaine lettuce and croutons. Originating in the 1920s in Tijuana, Mexico by Caesar Cardini (an Italian immigrant), Caesar dressing has become a staple in kitchens and restaurants worldwide. Its creamy, tangy concoction extends beyond just salads, making it a beloved condiment for various dishes.

Traditional Caesar Dressing recipe

This recipe balances the bold flavors of garlic and anchovies with the smooth richness of egg yolks and olive oil, finished with a tangy kick from lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce.

Learn how to craft this iconic sauce that perfectly coats crisp romaine lettuce and pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal. Here’s how to make the Caesar dressing.

Authentic Caesar dressing

This creamy Caesar dressing is a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and rich flavors. Made with fresh garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and anchovies, it brings a bold, zesty kick to your salads.

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Prep Time 11 minutes mins

Course Condiment

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2-3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 anchovy fillets minced (optional but traditional)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce together.
• Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the mixture emulsifies and thickens.
• Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Adjust consistency with a small amount of water if needed.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.

Notes

To have an ideal consistency for the homemade Caesar salad dressing:

• Use room temperature ingredients for better emulsification.
• Add oil gradually to prevent separation.
• Adjust thickness with additional lemon juice or water if needed.
• Don’t overuse garlic or anchovies, which can overpower other flavors.

Keyword Caesar Cardini, Caesar dressing, Caesar salad, creamy garlic sauce, homemade salad dressing, keto-friendly dressing, low-carb dressing, Parmesan cheese

Shelf life:

• Eggless Caesar Dressing: This variety will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge.
• Mayonnaise-Based Caesar Dressing: Dressings made with a mayonnaise base can typically last around 1 week.
• Traditional Caesar Dressing (with raw eggs): If your dressing includes raw egg yolks, it’s best to consume it within 1-3 days due to food safety precautions.

To avoid soggy greens, store the dressing separately from the salad ingredients until you’re ready to serve. This helps preserve the salad’s crispness.

Tahini Caesar dressing

If you don’t like the traditional version, you can try the Caesar salad dressing recipe without anchovies. This version brings a nutty, earthy depth from the tahini while keeping the tangy and savory notes of a traditional Caesar. This is how to make Caesar salad dressing no egg, no mayo. You can check the tahini recipe here

Tahini Caesar Dressing

Caesar dressing recipe no anchovies

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Condiment

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 tbsp tahini
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce or tamari for a vegan option
• 1 tsp capers
• 1/4 cup water adjust for consistency
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional for vegans
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, whisk together the tahini, Dijon mustard, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and capers.
• Slowly add water while whisking to thin the mixture to a creamy consistency.
• Gradually drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to whisk until the dressing becomes smooth.
• Stir in the Parmesan cheese if using, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.

Keyword dressing, healthy, vegetarian

Variations

Creamy Caesar dressing

Creamy Caesar dressing elevates richness and texture. To achieve this, I often incorporate mayonnaise as a base. This variation provides a luscious mouthfeel while maintaining the classic Caesar salad dressing recipe flavor profile. Here’s a quick recipe:

Blend all ingredients until smooth, adjusting seasoning to taste.

Vegan Caesar salad dressing

To make a vegan version, you can these plant-based alternatives:

• Cashews or silken tofu for creaminess
• Nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor
• Capers for salty, briny notes replacing anchovies

To achieve a smooth, creamy consistency:

1. Soak cashews overnight for better blending.
2. Use a high-powered blender for silky smoothness.
3. Adjust liquid ratios carefully to match traditional Caesar thickness.

Try this cashew Caesar recipe:

Blend all ingredients until smooth, adjusting consistency with water as needed.

Light Caesar salad dressing

Caesar vinaigrette offers a lighter alternative. By increasing the ratio of lemon juice to oil, you can create a more tangy, less creamy dressing. This version pairs excellently with delicate greens and grilled seafood. Try this recipe:

1. Whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tsp anchovy paste
2. Slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup olive oil while whisking continuously
3. Stir in 2 tbsp grated Parmesan and black pepper to taste

Avocado Caesar dressing

Avocado Caesar dressing combines creaminess and nutrition. This variation offers healthy fats and a beautiful green color. Here’s my go-to recipe:

1. Blend 1 ripe avocado, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 garlic clove, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 2 anchovy fillets
2. Slowly add 1/4 cup olive oil while blending
3. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper to taste

Adjust consistency with water if needed. This dressing pairs wonderfully with grilled romaine or as a dip for crudités.

Low-calorie Caesar salad dressing

I often apply these ways:

• Replace some oil with Greek yogurt
• Use less Parmesan and enhance umami with nutritional yeast
• Incorporate pureed white beans for creaminess and protein

To ensure your lighter dressing still packs a punch:

1. Increase garlic and anchovy slightly to boost flavor.
2. Use extra lemon zest for brightness without added calories.
3. Experiment with herbs like fresh basil or oregano for complexity.

How to pair

Besides being used for the Caesar salad, this dressing can be applied to many dishes. Some creative applications I’ve enjoyed:

• Mixed into pasta salads or potato salads
• As a spread for sandwiches or wraps
• A dipping sauce for vegetables or chicken wings
• Drizzled over grilled vegetables or fish

Caesar dressing also perfectly pairs with various dishes:

• Crispy fried calamari
• Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers
• Roasted vegetables, especially Brussels sprouts or asparagus
• Baked salmon or white fish

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