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Why I Love to Make Caesar Dressing
There are some recipes that are just so good that they deserve to be in your fridge at all times, and this is one of them. It has everything I want in a Caesar dressing: Parmesan cheese, lots of black pepper, lemon juice, and just enough anchovy (I know—yikes!) to give it that unmistakable savory depth.
So if you want a quick, flavorful Caesar dressing at home, this easy version is the one to make.
What I really love is how simple it is. This is not a fussy, restaurant-only dressing that feels overly complicated to make at home. It’s so easy to whisk together in a few minutes, keep chilled, and have on hand to turn crisp romaine and grilled chicken into an easy lunch or supper, especially during a busy, hot summer when I want something simple but still packed with flavor. It’s a winner!
Caesar Dressing Ingredients
A combination of simple ingredients (and one special one) makes for the best Caesar dressing:
- Garlic – Roughly chopped and mashed with anchovies for the perfect flavor.
- Anchovy filets – The secret key to that classic Caesar flavor. Even though anchovies may seem like something most people detest, try this one out. The umami that they add is what makes this dressing so amazing—trust me!
- Dijon mustard – Adds some tang and helps everything blend together.
- Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt – A combination of creaminess that makes up the substance of the dressing.
- Worcestershire sauce – Deepens the savory flavor.
- Lemon juice – Brightens and helps to balance out the richness.
- Kosher salt and black pepper – Season the dressing.
- Parmesan cheese – A salty essential for a good Caesar!
The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Caesar Dressing
There are 2 super easy steps to make this dressing:
Step 1: Make the garlic and anchovy paste – In a small bowl, combine the garlic and anchovies and pound together until a thick paste forms. If needed, mince them very finely instead.
Step 2: Whisk everything together – Add the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. Let it rest for a few minutes, or refrigerate until you’re ready to drizzle it over a Caesar salad.
Recipe Tips
- Mash the anchovies well – Take your time to ensure they’re well-mashed, as this is what keeps the dressing smooth. It also ensures the savory flavor is evenly distributed throughout.
- Finely grate the Parmesan – This way, it melts into the dressing better and keeps the texture super creamy (instead of lumpy).
- Taste before serving – Depending on your Parmesan and anchovies, you may want a little more lemon juice or black pepper. In most cases, you won’t want much more salt, so it’s all about balancing it to your personal preference.
- Let it rest for a few minutes – Even 10 minutes in the refrigerator helps the flavors meld together.
Follow These Tips
Serving & Storage
Serving – This dressing is made to drizzle over a classic Caesar salad (I add chicken to mine) with crisp romaine, homemade croutons, and plenty of Parmesan cheese. It’s also especially good tossed on a simple salad, spread on wraps as a sauce, or served as a dip for fresh or roasted vegetables.
Storage – Once the dressing is made, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 3-5 days. Because it is made with mayonnaise, yogurt, cheese, and anchovies, treat it like any other perishable homemade dressing and refrigerate it within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if it’s sitting out in hot weather.
More Salad Dressings
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
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Caesar Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic roughly chopped
- 5 filets anchovies
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Mash: In a small bowl, combine the garlic and anchovies and pound together to form a thick paste. Alternatively, they can be minced finely.1 clove garlic, 5 filets anchovies
- Whisk: Add the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Whisk until combined and smooth. Serve on top of chicken Caesar salad with homemade croutons.2 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Styling: Addelyn Evans | Photography: Dera Burreson
