This homemade Caesar Dressing recipe is so easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll create a creamy homemade Caesar dressing that is better than store-bought or restaurant versions. And guess what? The anchovies are optional.
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Caesar Dressing 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.
Caesar Dressing Recipe
It’s surprisingly easy to make your own dressings like Homemade Ranch Dressing, Lemon Vinaigrette or Italian Dressing from scratch, and creamy Caesar dressing is no exception.
Use this creamy dressing to make a Classic Caesar Salad, tossed with crisp romaine lettuce, and Homemade Croutons. Sure, you could buy a store-bought 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.
Caesar Dressing 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.
Did You Kow…
Anchovies are listed as an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce, so you can skip anchovies or anchovy paste since they’re technically already in there! If you are a 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. (P.S. If you have an immersion blender, I highly recommend using it while adding oil – it’s so much easier!) 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.
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.
How Long Can I Store Homemade Caesar Dressing?
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.
I literally always have a jar of this creamy homemade Caesar dressing in my refrigerator because it’s such a favorite with my kids. I hope it becomes a new favorite for you as well.
Homemade Caesar Dressing
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
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
Natasha’s Ceasar Salad, Creamy Dressing, and Croutons have become a staple in my repertoire! Absolutely spot on delicious. I add just a smidge of anchovy paste (1/4 tsp) to the dressing. Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing.
This is the best Caesar salad dressing. I don’t like anchovies and this recipe does the job without anchovies. I have tried many of your recipes and they have all been winners.
I’m so happy to hear you’re loving my recipes, Fran! Thank you for your lovely review!
I made this recipe exactly according to directions however it was thick! How should I thin it out?
HI Donna, it is supposed to be a creamy Caesar dressing – it thickens up in the fridge but it does coat the salad really well. If you want it looser, you could whisk in a little more olive oil.
Would avocado oil work instead of olive oil Since thats all I have on hand?
Hi Bob! Yes, any neutral oil can work, avocado oil would work well.
Our family love this dressing. It is definitely a crowd and family pleaser.
This is the perfect Caesar dressing! It’s not too tangy but has just the right punch of lemon juice! I halved the recipe because it’s only me. I used light mayo and avocado oil because that’s what I had on hand. Came out just the way I like my Caesar dressing to taste. I love the blog, whenever I’m searching for a recipe and see one from Natasha’s Kitchen I open that one first because I know it will be tasty and come out well! Thanks!
Aaaw I’m happy for your trust! Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
Would a stick blender work as well as whisking by hand? My sister and I made this together, and we couldn’t stop laughing as we were vigorously whisking! Loved how it turned out though and don’t want to ruin it with a hand blender. Thanks!
Hi Debbie! This recipe was recently updated and now we use a whisk. Too many people had trouble with the dressing being too thin and I think it had to do with the variable of the blender/food processor strength and how quickly oil was added. This new version is much more fail proof and less messy.
Did you change this recipe? I’ve been making it for years, and I notice your mayo and oil have changed. It used to be 2T Mayo and 1c oil, right? Why the change?
Hi Gina, yes I have changed it. Too many people had trouble with the dressing being too thin and I think it had to do with the variable of the blender/food processor strength and how quickly oil was added. This new version is much more fail proof and it’s also way easier and less messy to make. I find myself making it way more often and my kids even love it more so everyone is happy. I hope you love this recipe even more! I only change things when I feel it’s a significant upgrade.
Excellent and easy. Everything I already had in my kitchen. Delicious.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Stephanie!
This dressing is FANTASTIC! My whole family loves it! ❤️
I like tuning to Natasha,for my recipes when I am in a jam, I I injoy watching her, was carrying her little girl. And the kitchen was so different and I am still watching her.
Hello there, thank you for watching my vides and for your support. It means a lot to me!
Great recipes, I will prepare how I have done with other. I had bought the book , recipes are delicious too.
Hi Natasha.
I use the same recipe but I use Greek Yogurt instead of Mayonnaise. I also add a tsp of Anchovy paste.
It is so yummy!
That’s great, Nina!
I love Caesar dressing… this is pretty close to the recipe I use with the exception of anchovy paste… only takes a teaspoon or so… really makes the dressing. I also use way less mayo… just enough to thicken… maybe a TBLS.
This is the one I have been making for decades. It’s so delicious.
I’m so glad!
How long does this dressing stay in refrigerator and can I use avocado oil?
Hi Claire! See my note in the blog above under “storage” for instructions.
Any neutral oil can work, avocado oil would work well.
Hi Natasha,
I’m looking forward to making this but can i substitute worcesteshire sauce with soy sauce or fish sauce?
Thank you^-^
Hi Mai! I have not tried any of those substitutions so I can’t say what it would be like in this recipe. The Worcestershire sauce is what really makes this dressing taste authentic.
We loved it and so easy. Love anchovies so added some.For someone that is not a great cook I enjoy your recipes very much!
Don’t Have a Mason jar.Can I store it in a Tupperware container?
Hi Patricia! Another air tight container will work too.
Loved this dressing! Yes, it is better than bottled and, even better than most restaurants! Yum. Thank you. I wonder if I could use Greek plain yogurt instead of the mayonnaise?
Hi Diane! I haven’t tested that, but I assume so. Let us know how it is if you try it.
That’s a great idea!! I think I would go half mayo and half Greek yogurt for a little more of a tangy flavor.
Thanks for the suggestion!!
Amazing and super easy recipe as always.
Thanks. It makes caesar salad easy to make.💓