Homemade Caesar Dressing

With a dressing like that, you don’t need much else! Homemade Caesar dressing is also very simple despite its complex flavor, so don’t shy away from making it yourself at home.

My easy recipe has all that bold flavor in a restaurant dressing but is made with just a few simple ingredients (and maybe just one special ingredient 😉). All recipes are rigorously tested in our Nashville Test Kitchen to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious.

“Incredible. So yummy. Makes a lot too!

I add feta to my Caesar salad and with this dressing it was heavenly. So so good.”

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this dressing, and my version is even faster and easier as I use mayonnaise instead of making an egg and oil emulsion. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own homemade Caesar dressing:

• Garlic: Fresh garlic provides both a savory flavor and a little kick of heat to the dressing.
• Anchovies: These little fish add a ton of deep umami flavor to this dressing, which really sets it apart from other creamy salad dressings. And don’t worry, it doesn’t make the dressing taste like fish! It just adds some subtle, deep, savory flavor.
• Lemon: I use both the juice and zest from a fresh lemon for this recipe. The juice provides acidity, while the zest adds a nice fresh flavor to balance the savory anchovies.
• Mayonnaise: Making this dressing from scratch usually involves emulsifying egg and oil to make a creamy dressing base, but I took a shortcut by using mayonnaise, which is pre-emulsified egg and oil! Easy peasy!
• Dijon Mustard: Dijon adds another layer of slightly tangy flavor to the dressing.
• Parmesan: Nutty Parmesan cheese makes the dressing even more rich and punches up the umami flavor even more.
• Black Pepper: Flecks of spicy black pepper add pops of flavor to Caesar dressing so that no bite is boring!

Can You Replace the Anchovies? The anchovies add a salty, umami (savory) flavor to this recipe and are a traditional ingredient in Caesar sauce.

The fishy flavor melts away in the dressing, leaving behind a rich, deep flavor that’s hard to replicate. You could leave them out, but it’ll change the overall flavor. However, some of our readers have recommended using Worcestershire sauce in place of anchovies.

Worcestershire sauce is made with anchovies, so it might work in a pinch. There’s also vegan Worcestershire sauce alternatives you could try if you’re allergic to fish.

I haven’t personally tested this swap yet, so I can’t vouch for the results, but let me know if you do and how it turns out!

How to Store Caesar Dressing

You can store this dressing in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 4-5 days.

If you don’t think you can eat the entire batch within that time, use the serving adjuster in the recipe below to make a half batch and reduce waste. I don’t recommend freezing homemade Caesar dressing, as it’ll likely separate upon thawing.

Serving Suggestions

Caesar salads are the obvious way to use Caesar dressing, but my mouth-wateringly delicious homemade version is great on a lot more than just salad!

I’ve tried it drizzled over grilled vegetables, used it as a sandwich spread, and even tossed it with pasta salad (SO good!). I think it would also be delicious when used in place of mayo in most recipes, like chicken salad, or mixed with crunchy cabbage to make our Caesar slaw. I’d even toss chicken wings in it instead of buffalo sauce for something a bit different.

Nutrition Information

How to Make Homemade Caesar Dressing – Step by Step Photos

Zest and juice one lemon. Mince three cloves of garlic, and mince three anchovies.

Add the lemon juice (about 3 Tbsp), zest (about 1 tsp), minced garlic, minced anchovies, ½ tsp of the anchovy oil from the package, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper to a bowl. Whisk to combine.

Add 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, ½ cup mayonnaise, and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk the dressing until smooth.

Taste and adjust the ingredients to your liking. Pour the dressing over your favorite salad or vegetables, spread it onto a sandwich, or use it as a dip for any of your favorite foods!