Zesty Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe That Wows Everyone

Creamy and tangy caesar salad dressing brings a burst of flavor to any leafy green ensemble.

This classic recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy sauce.

Chefs have long celebrated its rich, bold profile that complements crisp romaine perfectly.

Whisking together the right balance of ingredients creates magic in just minutes.

Fresh garlic and anchovies provide the signature punch that makes this dressing irresistible.

You’ll love how effortlessly this recipe comes together with pantry staples.

Drizzle it over a bed of crunchy romaine, and watch your salad become the star of the meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 3

What You Need For Caesar Salad Dressing

• Garlic: Adds a pungent kick and depth to the dressing's overall taste profile.
• Anchovy Paste: Provides a rich, umami saltiness that defines the classic Caesar flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers a complex, tangy undertone that elevates the entire dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright acidity and helps balance the rich ingredients.
• Dijon Mustard: Contributes a sharp, zesty note and helps emulsify the dressing.

• Mayonnaise: Creates a smooth, luxurious texture that binds all ingredients together.
• Parmigiano-Reggiano: Introduces a nutty, salty dimension with its distinctive aged cheese character.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Sharpens and harmonizes the overall flavor profile, allowing each ingredient to shine.

Tools You’ll Use For Caesar Salad Dressing

• Medium bowl: Essential for mixing and combining all dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients smoothly and creating a creamy texture.
• Grater: Needed to grate Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese finely.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, lemon juice, and other seasonings.
• Garlic press (optional): Useful for mincing garlic quickly and evenly.

Easy Steps For Caesar Salad Dressing

• Flavor Foundation

In a cozy mixing bowl, create a tangy base by blending garlic, anchovy paste, bright lemon juice, zesty Dijon, and rich Worcestershire sauce. Whisk these ingredients until they dance together harmoniously.

• Creamy Transformation

Introduce velvety mayonnaise and nutty Parmigiano-Reggiano to the mixture. Whisk with enthusiasm until the texture becomes silky smooth and irresistibly creamy.

• Seasoning Magic

Sprinkle in salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Give the dressing a taste and fine-tune the flavor profile to your personal preference.

• Flavor Melding

Tuck the bowl into the refrigerator and let the ingredients get acquainted for about 30 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to intertwine and develop a more complex taste.

Tips For Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing

• Flavor-Boosting Garlic Tip: Freshly minced garlic provides a more vibrant and robust flavor compared to pre-chopped garlic. Crush the cloves slightly before mincing to release their essential oils and maximize taste.
• Anchovy Alternative: For those who dislike anchovy paste, try capers or a splash of soy sauce to maintain the umami depth without the fishy flavor. Vegetarians can use miso paste as a savory replacement.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This dressing keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors actually intensify and develop more complexity as they sit, making it perfect for advance preparation.
• Low-Carb Friendly: Skip the croutons and use this dressing over grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or as a dip for crisp lettuce wedges. It's an excellent option for keto and low-carbohydrate diet followers who want maximum flavor without extra carbs.
• Creamy Consistency Hack: If the dressing seems too thick, whisk in a little cold water or additional lemon juice to reach your desired texture. For a lighter version, replace half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for reduced calories without compromising richness.

Serving Caesar Salad Dressing With Everything

• Salad Companion Delights: Crisp romaine lettuce makes the perfect base for this zesty dressing, creating a classic Caesar experience. Protein Power-Up: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon can transform this dressing into a complete meal that satisfies hunger and adds extra nutrition. Crunch Factor: Homemade garlic croutons or toasted pine nuts sprinkled on top will give delightful texture and enhance the dressing's robust flavors. Elegant Appetizer Twist: Serve as a dipping sauce for fresh vegetable crudités or drizzle over grilled vegetables for a gourmet side dish that will impress guests.

How To Keep Caesar Salad Dressing Fresh

• Fresh Flavor Boost: Prepare the dressing up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum taste preservation.
• Quick Meal Prep: Chop romaine lettuce, store in a sealed container, and keep dressing separately to maintain crispness and prevent soggy greens.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Keep dressing chilled and whisk briefly before use to restore creamy consistency and blend separated ingredients.
• Temperature Care: Allow dressing to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to enhance flavor depth and improve overall texture.

Classic Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Fresh caesar salad dressing elevates classic dishes with robust Mediterranean flavors. Creamy garlic notes blend seamlessly with tangy anchovies and zesty parmesan for an irresistible culinary experience you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp (5 ml) anchovy paste (or 2 anchovy fillets, minced)
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Garlic Infusion: Crush garlic cloves into a fine paste using the back of a knife, releasing their pungent essence into a medium mixing bowl.
2. Flavor Foundation: Blend anchovy paste with crushed garlic, creating a rich umami base that will elevate the dressing’s complexity and depth.
3. Citrus Integration: Whisk in fresh lemon juice, ensuring a bright, zesty undertone while seamlessly combining all preliminary ingredients.
4. Condiment Fusion: Incorporate Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce, whisking vigorously to create a glossy, harmonious emulsion that binds the dressing’s diverse flavor profiles.
5. Creamy Consistency: Fold in mayonnaise and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, stirring with smooth, circular motions to develop a silky, luxurious texture that balances the dressing’s tangy and creamy elements.
6. Seasoning Refinement: Calibrate the flavor with a delicate sprinkle of salt and freshly cracked black pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve a perfectly balanced profile.
7. Flavor Maturation: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a more sophisticated, nuanced taste that will transform your Caesar salad dressing into a culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Garlic Technique: Use the flat side of a knife to crush garlic into a fine paste, releasing maximum flavor and ensuring smooth texture without large chunks.
• Anchovy Integration: Mix anchovy paste thoroughly to distribute umami flavor evenly, which helps balance the dressing’s overall taste profile.
• Cheese Quality Matters: Use freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for authentic flavor – pre-grated cheese lacks the depth and richness of freshly grated cheese.
• Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious flavor.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg