Caesar Salad Dressing
This creamy, tangy Caesar salad dressing will make your taste buds dance with joy! Anyone who loves that classic restaurant flavor at home will absolutely adore this homemade version. The best part is you can whip it up in just 10 minutes with ingredients you probably already have!
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Active Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 10 minutes, Serves: 8 people, Yield: about 1/2 cup.
Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Diabetes-Friendly, Low-Sodium, Heart-Healthy, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 34 Calories, 3g Fat, 1g Carbs, 0g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Garlic: You’ll need 1/2 small clove, which gives you that perfect garlicky punch without being too strong. Fresh garlic makes all the difference in this dressing!
Salt: Just ⅛ teaspoon helps bring out all the flavors and creates a paste with the garlic. Regular table salt works perfectly here.
Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice adds that bright, tangy zip that makes Caesar dressing so special. Fresh squeezed is best, but bottled works too!
Reduced-fat mayonnaise: 1 tablespoon gives you that creamy base while keeping things lighter. This is what makes the dressing so smooth and rich.
Dijon mustard: 1 teaspoon adds a subtle kick and helps everything blend together beautifully. The flavor is mild but so important!
Anchovy paste: 3/4 teaspoon is totally optional, but it gives you that authentic Caesar flavor. Don’t worry – it won’t taste fishy, just adds amazing depth!
Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper adds the perfect amount of spice. Fresh ground tastes so much better than pre-ground!
Extra-virgin olive oil: 4 teaspoons of good quality oil makes everything silky smooth. This is what gives the dressing its luxurious texture.
Asiago cheese: 2 tablespoons grated adds that nutty, sharp flavor that makes this dressing irresistible. You can use Parmesan if you can’t find Asiago!
How to Make Caesar Salad Dressing
Step 1: Grab a medium bowl and add your garlic and salt. Use the back of a spoon to mash them together until you get a smooth paste. This takes about 30 seconds of mashing!
Step 2: Add the lemon juice, mayonnaise, mustard, anchovy paste (if you’re using it), and pepper to the bowl. Whisk everything together until it’s well combined and smooth.
Step 3: Here’s the secret to silky dressing – slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly. This creates a perfect emulsion that won’t separate!
Step 4: Add the grated Asiago cheese and whisk it in until everything is beautifully combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed!
Easy and Quick Caesar Salad Dressing Version
Want to make this even faster? You can skip the mashing step and just use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder instead of fresh garlic! Simply whisk all ingredients together in one go, adding the oil slowly. This shortcut version still tastes amazing and saves you a few minutes when you’re in a rush.
Serving Ideas
This dressing is perfect over crisp romaine lettuce with some crunchy croutons and extra cheese. It also makes a fantastic dip for fresh vegetables or grilled chicken. Try it as a sandwich spread or drizzle it over roasted vegetables for a flavor boost!
Storage
Store your homemade Caesar dressing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a sealed container. Give it a good stir before using since it might separate a little. The flavors actually get better after sitting for a few hours!
Substitutions
No Asiago cheese? Parmesan works perfectly! Don’t have Dijon mustard? Regular yellow mustard is fine, just use a little less. You can swap the reduced-fat mayo for regular mayo if that’s what you have. Greek yogurt also makes a great lighter substitute for mayo!
Pro Tips
- Make it smoother: Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes before serving so all the flavors can meld together beautifully.
- Double the batch: This recipe doubles perfectly, so make extra to have on hand for the week!
- Emulsion trick: If your dressing separates, just whisk in a teaspoon of warm water to bring it back together.
- Taste as you go: Start with less anchovy paste and add more if you want that deeper umami flavor.
FAQs
Can I make this dressing without anchovy paste?
You bet! The anchovy paste adds authentic Caesar flavor, but the dressing is still delicious without it. You might want to add a tiny pinch more salt to make up for the missing saltiness.
How long does homemade Caesar dressing last?
Your homemade dressing will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. After that, the garlic flavor can get too strong and the texture might change a bit.
Can I use this as a marinade?
Sure! This dressing makes a fantastic marinade for chicken or shrimp. Just marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours – no longer or the acid will start to cook the protein.
Why is my dressing too thick or too thin?
If it’s too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice. If it’s too thin, you can whisk in a little more mayo or let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to thicken up naturally.
I’d love to hear how your Caesar dressing turns out! Drop a comment and let me know if you tried any fun variations. Happy cooking, friends!
