This homemade Caesar Dressing recipe is so easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll create a creamy Caesar dressing that is better than storebought or restaurant versions. And guess what? The anchovies are optional.
It’s surprisingly easy to make your own dressings like Homemade Ranch Dressing or Italian Dressing from scratch and creamy Caesar dressing is no exception.
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Use this creamy dressing to make a Classic Caesar Salad, tossed with crisp romaine lettuce, and Homemade Croutons. Sure, you could buy a storebought dressing, but why would you when you can effortlessly make your own umami-packed, lemony, garlicky, parmesan-cheesy, and creamy dressing that tastes so much better?
Our Caesar dressing is kid-friendly – it tastes like the creamy restaurant-style Caesar dressing that my kids love, yet it’s made with the best ingredients right at home. My kids get excited when I make Caesar salad because of this dressing.
Easy Caesar Dressing Recipe Video
Watch Natasha make this homemade Caesar dressing. Don’t blink, because it’s so simple to make and comes together quickly. You’ll make this Caesar dressing again and again once you see how easy it is.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Bowl – Instead of hauling out a blender, food processor, or immersion blender, (which always creates issues for people, plus it’s messy), I’m so excited to finally have a Caesar dressing that’s easy to whip up in one bowl with just a whisk.
- Easy – I find myself making this dressing way more often for my kids (who love it!) because it’s so easy (measure, pour, stir) and mess-free.
- Keeps Well – The creamy texture remains intact, allowing you to enjoy it straight from the fridge.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise – Use real mayo for the best flavor. The eggs in the mayo thicken this dressing so you don’t have to worry about the mixture separating. A Homemade Mayonnaise will make your dressing taste even better!
- Dijon mustard – We like to use the Grey Poupon brand, but any dijon will work
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds a rich umami flavor. If you are a vegetarian, see the pro tip below for more information.
- Oil – use a neutral oil like extra light olive oil and avoid using extra virgin olive oil which will give it a different flavor profile.
- Garlic – use fresh, not canned. It will give you more punch and flavor.
- Lemon juice – Opt for freshly squeezed lemon juice and not from concentrate.
- Parmesan cheese – We use freshly grated cheese, but finely shredded will work as well. You can also use pre-grated parmesan and add it according to taste since it’s more finely grated.
Pro Tip:
Did you know anchovies are an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce? So you can skip anchovies or anchovy paste since they’re technically already in there! If you are vegetarian or have a fish allergy, choose a Worcestershire sauce that does not have anchovies listed in the ingredients.
How to Make Homemade Caesar Dressing
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until combined.
- While whisking vigorously, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Once all of the olive oil is in, continue whisking until it’s well incorporated. Add parmesan cheese and whisk together to combine.
- Transfer to a mason jar, cover with a lid, and refrigerate until ready to use.
Pro Tip:
The key to a thicker dressing is to slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking vigorously. This keeps the dressing emulsified and also helps incorporate more air into the dressing to help it thicken up. It will get even thicker in the refrigerator as the oil cools.
Storage
Transfer to a mason jar or airtight container and store homemade dressing in the refrigerator for up to a week. Add a label to track how old the dressing is and refrigerate promptly after use to maintain its freshness. You will love that it doesn’t separate when chilled and you can use it directly out of the refrigerator without re-whisking.
How to Serve Caesar Dressing
This dressing is so tasty you’ll be tempted to use it on everything, not just salads. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this homemade Caesar dressing:
- Caesar Salad: add baked chicken breast to make it a complete meal, or make a chicken Caesar wrap for a healthy lunch option.
- As a dip for raw vegetables such as cut carrots, sliced cucumbers, or cauliflower florets – perfect for snacking!
- Pasta Salad Dressing – try it in Caesar Pasta Salad, Tortellini Salad with diced broccoli and tomato, tossed with parmesan cheese, or Macaroni Salad.
- As a grilling marinade for meat or chicken to tenderize the meat and add flavor.
- Potato Salad dressing – try this as the creamy base for a Classic Potato Salad.
More Homemade Dressings and Sauces
If you enjoy this homemade Caesar salad dressing recipe, you’ll love our other dressings and sauces made from scratch. They’re so fresh and easy to make and, in my opinion, taste better than anything store-bought.
- Chimichurri Recipe
- Classic Pesto
- Tartar Sauce
- Easy Marinara Sauce
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Barbecue Sauce
- Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Easy Caesar Dressing Recipe (VIDEO)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, *
- 2 garlic cloves, grated or pressed
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, from 1 large lemon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup extra light olive oil, not extra virgin*
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, grated garlic, 3 Tbs lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine.
- While whisking vigorously*, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil. Once all of the olive oil is in, continue whisking until it’s well incorporated. Add parmesan and whisk together to combine.
- Transfer to a mason jar, cover with a lid, and refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
I add a tsp of anchovy paste, even with the Worcestershire sauce – it just adds a bit more of that flavor!
I’ve got to try this! Looks simple and tasty! Always great recipes!
So easy and delicious.
Didn’t know there’s anchovies in Worcestershire sauce!
Amazing recipes! I enjoy making your recipes from your book and from Instagram! Thank you 🙏 for sharing and making cooking more enjoyable too!
I can hardly wait to make this! I gave it 5 stars as I have great expectations! Your son is tall!
I asked , Why does this dressing taste like fish? Waitress said, you ordered “Caesar “. And that has fish paste in it. Um. No fish paste for me but your Caesar doesn’t have fish paste in it?
Anchovies is the reason for that. We do not use it in this recipe but the Worcestershire has anchovies in it but it’s more mild.
Correct
Worcestershire sauce has anchovies (fish)
And you don’t taste it at all
I’ve bought the block cheese from Costco but it seemed a little strong. Do you have a favorite parmesan cheese?
Hi Betty Ann! I have used several brands. You may try a market place that offers cheese samplings to see if there is one you prefer.
Love your recipes.
Can you use an immersion blender instead of whisking for the caesar salad dressing?
Hi Barb, this is meant to be a one-bowl prep recipe – Instead of hauling out a blender, food processor, or immersion blender, (which always creates issues for people, plus it’s messy), I’m so excited to finally have a Caesar dressing that’s easy to whip up in one bowl with just a whisk. However, that option will work if that is your preference. I hope this helps.
Mmmm!! This is seriously the best ceasar dressing!! I love that it doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or ones that I don’t usually have on hand. It’s so good!
I made it, and it’s fantastic! Creamy with a tangy kick from mustard and Worcestershire sauce, balanced by zesty lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for salads or dipping!
I made this tonight, it turned out perfect. I didn’t have light olive oil so I used half extra virgin and half avocado oil. I will definitely make this again
Happy to hear that it was a success!
For a so-so cook these recipes are very helpful and delicious! I greatly appreciate you. Thank you
Thank you, Olga,. I appreciate this!
This was AMAZING. I have tried it twice. First time only had extra virgin olive oil. Second time I made sure I had just light olive oil SO MUCH BETTER. I am gonna make a double batch next time. I wonder how long it can be refrigerated?
Hi Garth! I have kept it up to a week, and it’s probably ok up to two weeks. I haven’t tested it beyond that, so I would say be careful before pouring it over your salad to ensure it’s ok.
Ceased dressing didn’t turn to a creamy consistency, was very runny. Wasted ingredients!
Hi George, this is one that I will create a video for – the main culprit is adding oil too quickly so it incorporates and emulsifies into a creamy dressing.
Hey thanks for the recipe was great!!
I like the ” think Dishes”…thats huge good idea!!
I made this today and it is delicious! Homemade dressings are so worth the time and effort. I placed a piece of plastic wrap over the opening of my food processor and cut a small hole in it. I slowly drizzled the olive oil in. No mess and super easy. Be sure to use the “light tasting” olive oil. I will definitely be making this one again. Thank you!
That’s a great idea, Kristen! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Wow good idea about plastic covering but my FP has a safety switch I can’t by pass …I just added a bit at a time then pulsed mode
I added a squirt more 🍋 juice
Hi Natasha,
Unfortunatelly not great experience with Cesar dressing, using Extra virgin oil and a Ninja Professional Plus Blender.
What do you think?
Hi, I did make this in my Vitamix blender with great results, you still have to drizzle in the oil though so if your blender has a way to accomodate that while keeping the lid on (some lids have a convenient spout opening) then I would say it’s worth a try. It worked great in my blender since it has a little center opening that I could remove and place a small funnel there which made it convenient.
Made this today. Made as it is, it is quite oily. Maybe putting in refrigerator will thicken it up. We will reduce oil to 3/4 cup next time. Made per directions, not much flavor. We added more mustard, Parmesan, garlic, Worcestershire Sauce, and added 1/2 tube of anchovy paste. Much better flavor. We will see how it thickens in the fridge. It’s a good base but needs assistance.
This was my first try at making Caesar dressing. It turned out delicious!! I made mayo for the first time also because they use some of the same ingredients and tools. So it was an easy transition from the mayo recipe to this one. Great recipe!!! Thank you!!!
You;re so welcome! We’re so glad that you loved our dressing the first time that you tried it. Thanks a lot for the review!
Thank you for this great recipe. I would add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
I was in Tijuana at the Caesar’s Restaurant, where the salad of the same name was invented, and when the waiter made it tableside for us he added a tbs of Worcestershire’s
Hi Mario! That sounds great. Thanks for sharing.