Homemade Creamy Caesar Dressing
This is the best Homemade Caesar Dressing you’ll ever make, and you don’t even need to bother with an egg yolk or chopping an anchovy!
Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe
If you’ve been reading for awhile, you’ll know that I’m very much in favor of homemade salad dressings. I rarely buy bottled dressing, because I can easily make just about any variety I want at home, and it’ll always taste better than the bottled kind.
There’s a myth that homemade Caesar dressing is complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.
Right off the bat, I’ll tell you: NO, this is not a traditional Caesar dressing made by emulsifying oil together with a raw egg yolk. I’m all about taking sensible shortcuts where I think it makes sense, and this is one of those instances.
The secret here is mayonnaise, which is made with eggs and oil that have already being emulsified for you. Same end result, we’re just skipping a step.
But we won’t be skipping any flavor, because this dressing is full of all the rich flavors that Caesar dressing lovers appreciate – lots of garlic, fresh lemon juice, anchovies two ways (anchovy paste and Worcestershire sauce), tangy Dijon mustard and nutty Parmesan cheese.
After just one taste of this Caesar dressing recipe, you’ll see why you’ll never need the bottled stuff again.
Why you’ll love this Homemade Creamy Caesar Dressing with Mayo
- It has all of the flavor of classic Caesar dressing without having to deal with a raw egg.
- With this fresh and flavorful homemade dressing, you can skip the store-bought versions loaded with preservatives.
- Use it not only for chicken or salmon Caesar salad, but also as a dip for veggies or a sauce for sandwiches and wraps.
Homemade Caesar Dressing Ingredients
- mayonnaise – instead of using a raw egg and oil as the base of the dressing, we’re taking a shortcut by using mayonnaise, which is made with . . . eggs and oil!
- garlic – provides that pungent flavor that is characteristic of Caesar dressing.
- Parmesan cheese – adds a salty, nutty flavor. You’ll want grated Parmesan, not shredded.
- fresh lemon juice – provides the acidity and brightness needed to balance the rich mayo and cheese.
- anchovy paste – offers the distinct umami flavor that is essential in Caesar dressing. If you don’t have anchovy paste, you can use one whole anchovy, mashed into a paste with salt, using the back of your knife, on your cutting board.
- Dijon mustard – provides a subtle spiciness without being overpowering.
- Worcestershire sauce – adds depth of flavor with it’s combination of anchovies, vinegar and spices.
- salt and pepper – all salad dressings need to be properly seasoned to taste their best, just like other food.
How to make Homemade Caesar Dressing
1. STIR. Place all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.
2. CHILL. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 5 days before serving.
How to make this Easy Caesar Dressing ahead of time
Not only CAN you make this homemade Caesar salad dressing ahead of time, but you SHOULD. The flavor only gets better as it “ages” in the fridge.
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give it a good stir before using.
Best Homemade Caesar Dressing Home Chef Tips
- For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic and anchovy in this homemade Caesar salad dressing recipe according to your taste preference.
- For a thinner dressing that is more easily drizzled, add a splash of water.
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How to store Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Store homemade Caesar dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Mason jars work really well for this.
How long does Homemade Caesar Dressing last?
When properly stored in the refrigerator, this best homemade Caesar dressing should last up to 5 days, maybe even a week.
Homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe FAQs
No, not all Caesar dressings contain anchovies, but in my opinion, the best ones do. It’s a traditional ingredient that adds depth of flavor that is hard to replicate with any other ingredient.
If you prefer to omit the anchovy paste from this homemade Caesar dressing recipe, you can add more Worcestershire (although this also contains anchovies!), or you can add a bit of soy sauce or miso for umami.
In classic Caesar dressing, egg yolks are emulsified with oil, usually with Dijon mustard as the binder. In this easy Caesar, we’re using mayonnaise, which is already emulsified.
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Best Homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 medium garlic cloves minced
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to medium bowl and whisk until smooth.
- For best flavor, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 5 days before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic and anchovy in this homemade Caesar salad dressing recipe according to your taste preference.
- For a thinner dressing that is more easily drizzled, add a splash of water.
