Silky Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe – Wow Every Bite!

Creamy and bold, this tangy caesar salad dressing recipe delivers a zesty punch that turns an ordinary side into a culinary star.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly to create a sauce bursting with rich, classic flavors.

Homemade dressings always surpass store-bought versions with their vibrant, authentic taste.

Garlic, anchovy, and lemon dance together in perfect harmony, creating a dressing that clings beautifully to crisp romaine lettuce.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building layers of robust, sophisticated flavor.

Whisking this dressing takes mere minutes, making it an effortless addition to your meal prep.

Prepare to elevate your salad game with this irresistible, restaurant-quality dressing that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Instructions To Whip Up Caesar Salad Dressing

• Whip Up the Flavor Base

Grab your trusty mixing bowl and combine creamy mayo, zesty Parmesan, bright lemon juice, tangy Dijon, minced garlic, rich Worcestershire sauce, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. For an extra punch, add a touch of anchovy paste.

• Create Silky Smoothness

Gently stream in olive oil while whisking vigorously. This magical technique helps the ingredients dance together, creating a luxurious, smooth texture that clings perfectly to crisp lettuce.

• Taste and Tweak

Take a small taste and play around. Want more zing? Add an extra splash of lemon. Craving deeper flavor? Dash in more Worcestershire. Seeking more cheesy richness? Sprinkle additional Parmesan.

• Chill and Thrill

Let your dressing rest in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. This downtime allows the flavors to mingle and intensify. When ready, drizzle over crisp romaine, scatter some crunchy croutons, and shower with a final flourish of Parmesan cheese.

Tips And Swaps For Caesar Salad Dressing

• Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne for an extra kick that elevates the classic Caesar profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dressing up to 3-4 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to let flavors meld and intensify.
• Dietary Swap: For a lighter version, replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or use a vegan mayo to create a plant-based alternative that's just as creamy and delicious.
• Anchovy-Free Option: Skip the anchovy paste for a vegetarian-friendly dressing, or substitute with capers for a similar umami depth and tangy flavor profile.
• Texture Trick: For an ultra-smooth consistency, blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender instead of whisking by hand, ensuring a perfectly emulsified dressing every time.

Serving Caesar Salad Dressing Like A Pro

• Salad Sensation: Toss crisp romaine lettuce with this homemade dressing for a classic caesar experience that beats any store-bought version.
• Protein Power Boost: Top the salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs to transform it into a satisfying main course meal.
• Crunchy Companion: Sprinkle homemade or store-bought croutons generously over the salad for added texture and a delightful crunch that complements the creamy dressing.
• Party Platter Perfect: Serve as a crowd-pleasing appetizer by creating individual caesar salad cups with lettuce leaves, dressing, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for elegant gatherings.

Store And Prep Caesar Salad Dressing

• Refrigerator Storage Magic: Keep dressing in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Quick Flavor Boost: Let dressing rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to blend and intensify their taste profile.
• Batch Preparation Wisdom: Double the recipe and store extra dressing in small mason jars for convenient grab-and-go salad companions throughout the week.
• Temperature Management: Always store homemade dressing in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to maintain its creamy consistency and prevent bacterial growth.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: 97 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes Into Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing

• Mayonnaise: Provides smooth, rich foundation for the dressing with silky texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty depth and creamy consistency to enhance overall flavor profile.

• Lemon Juice: Brings zesty freshness and helps balance the richness of other ingredients.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces tangy complexity and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers umami undertones and subtle savory complexity.

• Garlic: Contributes bold, pungent kick that elevates the entire dressing.
• Anchovy Paste: Optional ingredient that introduces deep, salty marine essence.

• Salt: Amplifies and harmonizes all flavor notes in the dressing.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle spiciness.

• Olive Oil: Helps blend ingredients smoothly and provides light, elegant finish.

Tools To Make Caesar Salad Dressing

• Whisk: Essential tool for mixing and blending ingredients smoothly.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for combining and whisking all dressing components.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients like lemon juice and salt.
• Measuring Cups: Useful for precise olive oil measurements.
• Garlic Press (optional): Helps crush garlic cloves for intense flavor.
• Citrus Juicer (optional): Convenient for extracting fresh lemon juice.

Tangy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Classic caesar salad dressing delivers a rich, tangy blend of anchovy, garlic, and parmesan that elevates simple greens. Chefs and home cooks alike can whip up this restaurant-quality sauce in minutes to impress guests at any gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 2 fl oz) olive oil
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (25 g / 0.9 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps (30 ml / 2 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp anchovy paste (optional)

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Instructions

1. Crafting the Base: Whisk mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and anchovy paste in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly blended, creating a rich, complex flavor foundation.
2. Emulsifying the Dressing: Slowly drizzle olive oil into the mixture while continuously whisking, ensuring a smooth, velvety consistency that binds all ingredients into a harmonious vinaigrette.
3. Flavor Refinement: Taste and adjust the seasoning by fine-tuning lemon juice for brightness, Parmesan for depth, and Worcestershire sauce for enhanced umami, creating a perfectly balanced dressing that tantalizes the palate.
4. Flavor Melding: Refrigerate the dressing for 20-30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to intermingle and develop a more nuanced, cohesive flavor profile that elevates the entire culinary experience.
5. Serving and Presentation: Generously coat crisp romaine lettuce with the prepared dressing, crown with golden croutons, and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese, transforming a simple salad into a gourmet Caesar masterpiece.

Notes

• Whisk Carefully: Blend ingredients slowly and steadily to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Balance Flavor Intensity: Start with smaller amounts of strong ingredients like anchovy paste and Worcestershire sauce, tasting and adjusting incrementally to avoid overpowering the dressing.
• Emulsify Patiently: Pour olive oil in a thin, steady stream while continuously whisking to create a stable, silky texture that won’t separate.
• Chill for Depth: Refrigerate the dressing for at least 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 97
• Sugar: 0.2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1.6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg