This easy creamy Caesar salad dressing comes together fast, and you don't need any fancy ingredients or special tools to make it. It's got the perfect balance of garlic and tanginess!
This Caesar dressing is my go-to, and it's damn good. I love being able to whip it up on a whim without having to create a huge mess.
I rarely buy bottled salad dressing. There's really no point when you can make it even better at home.
I'm pretty picky when it comes to my Caesar dressing. I don't like a wimpy Caesar. I need some bold flavors. I like a good traditional Caesar dressing, but I also don't like being overwhelmed by anchovies, and there is such a thing as too much garlic (I can't believe I just typed that).
Making Caesar salad? Try adding in my easy homemade croutons.
Caesar dressing ingredients:
- Mayo
- Sour cream
- Worcestershire sauce (to give it just enough of that anchovy umami flavor)
- Fresh lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Minced garlic
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper
How to make Caesar Salad dressing
Mix these classic ingredients up, and you've got yourself a heck of a dressing (I just do it in a small bowl or right in the measuring cup using a spoon).
Store bought mayonnaise (I use Hellmann's) is a great base for homemade Caesar dressing. You can make your own mayo, but, honestly, the pre-made stuff is totally fine for salad dressings and dips. It takes out the guesswork as well as the use of raw eggs, which I know turns some people off. It also saves time, ingredients, and effort.
I have used anchovy paste in Caesar dressing before, but I prefer Worcestershire sauce. Anchovy paste is sometimes hard to find and easy to overdo. It then sits in your fridge for months on end until you find it again and throw it out. That's my experience with it anyway. I mean I could cook with it more, but I rarely do. 😛
I sometimes leave the parmesan cheese out when I'm in a big rush, but I recommend including it. It really tastes much better with it in there.
As I always say (but it bears repeating), adjust ingredients to your tastes. No one has the exact same set of taste buds. I usually have a pretty good idea of what tastes good, but recipes are made to be tweaked. Need more lemon juice? Add it. More salt or pepper? More garlic? Don't be shy!
You may also like my homemade ranch dressing.
This Caesar dressing recipe makes about a cup of dressing. I don't know about you, but it grinds my gears when a recipe makes so much that I don't know what to do with it.
You can have two decent-size salads or one big one with this dressing recipe. Of course, it depends on how much dressing you use, but at least it's not a ridiculous amount.
The dressing keeps in the fridge for a few days.
Is this the best Caesar dressing recipe you've made? You're only about 10 minutes away from finding out. 😉
Try making my chicken Caesar crostini with this dressing.
Questions? Let me know in the comments below!
Easy Caesar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grate your parmesan.
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl (or add them to a measuring cup like I do - I measure out the mayo first).
- Give everything a good stir (or whisk it) until the dressing is smooth.
- Serve immediately or chill first.
- Dressing will keep in the fridge, covered, for a few days.
Notes
- I encourage you to play with the ingredient quantities if the taste isn't exactly what you're looking for. I'll occasionally make this without measuring and I usually end up adding more Worcestershire and Dijon than written.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. Serving size in this salad dressing is one tablespoon (it makes about a cup in total).
Cris Raver says
My husband says this is the best Caesar dressing. We no longer buy pre made dressing from the store.
Natasha says
Thrilled to hear that!! 🙂
Stephanie says
Thank you for this recipe - it’s AMAZING!
Natasha says
You're welcome! 😀
JennyO says
Outstanding!
Our 13 year-old boy had (3) servings of salad because he loved this dressing, it’s so garlicky and good. Only subs were full fat plain yogurt instead of sour cream & 2 splashes Red Boat fish sauce instead of anchovy paste. I will use this recipe forever.
Natasha says
That makes me so happy!! 🙂
Bruxanne says
Fantastically easy recipe, and it’s soooo good, everyone loves eating salad now! We add a little more garlic and a teaspoon of anchovy paste - honestly, I could eat this by the spoonful!
Natasha says
So happy to hear that!!
Diane says
Great recipe but to add a touch of surprise I add 5 drops of Tabasco or other hot sauce , more garlic for garlic lovers and what is Caesar dressing without anchovies ? YUM YUM UMAMI
Natasha says
Yup, you could definitely add some hot sauce to it. I always add more garlic as well. The Worcestershire sauce has anchovies, so that's covered! 😉
Cindy says
Delicious! So easy, won't be buying in a store anymore!
Natasha says
That's great!! So pleased you enjoyed it!
Andrew says
This turned out delicious. Thanks for sharing. No more need to buy store Caesar dressing.
Natasha says
You're welcome! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you.
Anna says
My husband loved it! Never going back to store bought dressing.
Natasha says
That's amazing!! Thanks for commenting, Anna!
Kara says
I made this last night and it was delish! So easy and I had all of the ingredients on hand! And it made lots so we can have that yumminess again tonight!
Natasha says
So glad to hear it!! 🙂
Mariel Martin says
Yum! I have a thing with Mayo - is there something else I could use instead? More Greek yogurt? Or olive oil?
Natasha says
Honestly it won’t be the same and I can’t really comment without testing. The mayo gives it a nice silky texture. I understand if you don’t like mayo by itself, but I promise it doesn’t taste like mayo in the dressing. Mayo is the basis of many creamy dressings/aiolis, so if you like those, you shouldn’t have a problem with this one. ☺️ I just buy the tiny containers of mayo from the store for things like this since I don’t eat it too often.
Maggie says
Seriously amazing recipe. My kids love Caesar salads and I’m through buying the bottled dressings. Made my own mayo and all... delicious! Thanks
Added more mustard and a good amount of fresh pepper.
Natasha says
That makes me so happy!!
Jess says
This is such an easy and delicious recipe! I'm with everyone else who made this before me - never buying bottled Caesar dressing again! I added a touch of olive oil, and since I didn't have lemon juice, I used just a smidge of rice vinegar. YUM!
Natasha says
Aww I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Jess! 🙂
Michelle says
Was out of Cesar dressing and looking for a simple recipe. This was perfect, so quick and easy, I already had everything on hand! Tastes really good, not sure I will buy store bought again.
Natasha says
Yay I'm so happy to hear that!! XO
Marta Berger says
Oh boy - not only was this recipe easy and delicious as written, I did it again without the sour cream - so it would be thicker - and it made a perfect dipping sauce for artichokes; thanks! 👍
Natasha says
Artichokes - good idea!!
Tina says
Yum! Thank you so much!
Natasha says
You're very welcome, Tina!!
Poune Bahrampour says
I luv Ceasar dressing, and I adore that you don't have to break out the blender. I'm not a big fan of anchovies either so this is perfect.😍
Natasha says
Awesome!! Thanks!
Lena says
Made this today and just had to give my review. So easy to prepare (used mini food processor attachment). So creamy and delicious. I did not add salt because cheese, Hellman's mayo and the other ingredients had enough sodium. I added 3 shakes of black pepper.
Natasha says
I am so glad it hit the spot, Lena!
Lauren says
This looks delicous! My husband used to love Caesar dressing until he found out it had anchovies as an ingredient. Maybe he would like this variation! (No one tell him what Worcestershire is made of!)
Natasha says
Haha good plan!!
Christina says
Thank you! I needed a no nonsense recipe and this is a HIT! I had to make a second batch because, once everyone sampled it there was none left!
Natasha says
Excellent... I'm so happy you liked it!! 🙂 Thanks for leaving a comment!
nick p says
It is very hearty and good!
Natasha says
So glad you liked it, Nick!
Sarah says
Have you tried a dash of the salty liquid that capers are packed in, in place of anchovy paste? I find it gives it a dash of the salty sharpness that anchovies bring....without all the fishyness!
Natasha says
I have, actually. It's definitely a good trick! I've also blended up capers too. So good. 🙂
Jennifer Farley says
Homemade dressings are the best!
Natasha says
Thanks, Jennifer! Definitely!
PRANITA DESHPANDE says
I think you have made ''Satvik'' recipe. Very nice easy method, thanks for a good recipe.
Natasha says
Thanks!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Caesar salads are my favorite Natasha! And homemade dressing is always better than store-bought! Can't wait to try your recipe. Happy weekend!
Natasha says
Thank you!! I hope you do try it. I love Caesar salads too! 🙂
Matt Robinson says
I love homemade dressing, this looks awesome. And so easy!
Natasha says
Yes! Thanks, Matt!