This Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing is the stuff of dreams—creamy, zesty, and peppery with that irresistibly savory kiss of Parmesan. If you love restaurant-style Caesar salads, just wait until you taste how fresh and vibrant this made-from-scratch classic can be. Ready in minutes and absolutely loaded with flavor, this is a staple you’ll want in your kitchen forever.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredible Flavor: Tangy lemon, zippy Dijon, and nutty Parmesan make every bite pop with crave-worthy taste.
- Foolproof and Fast: From start to finish, Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing takes just five minutes—no fancy equipment needed!
- Customizable for Any Diet: It’s easy to make vegetarian (just check your Parmesan) and you control every ingredient that goes in.
- Better Than Bottled: Once you taste this homemade version, you’ll never want store-bought dressing again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing is how these everyday staples join forces to make something extraordinary. Each ingredient plays a starring role—so let’s break down how (and why) to use them for the richest flavor and dreamy texture.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base gives your dressing body and that luscious restaurant-style texture.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds fruity richness and helps blend all the flavors together.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the dressing and balances out the rich, salty notes.
- Dijon mustard: Brings tangy sharpness and a subtle heat—plus it helps emulsify the dressing.
- Grated garlic: Just one clove makes the whole batch sing with bold, aromatic flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: Classic Caesar umami! This secret ingredient adds depth and complexity.
- Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper: Essential for making all the other flavors pop—don’t skip!
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: The key to nutty, savory goodness and that incredibly craveable Caesar tang.
Variations
The best part about Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing? You can tweak, swap, or jazz it up to fit your cravings, dietary choices, or whatever’s in your fridge. Here’s how to make it truly your own!
- Anchovy Add-In: For a true classic Caesar, blend in two mashed anchovy fillets—they bring a deeper umami hit and authentic restaurant flavor.
- Greek Yogurt Swap: Lighten things up by replacing half the mayo with Greek yogurt for a tangier, protein-packed twist.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan mayo, vegan Worcestershire, and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan to make a plant-based dressing that still tastes fantastic.
- Spicy Caesar: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to give your dressing a gentle kick.
How to Make Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Step 1: Whisk Together the Base
In a large liquid measuring cup or a medium bowl, start by whisking together the mayonnaise, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and a generous grind of black pepper. Make sure there are no streaks—this should be luxuriously smooth before moving to the next step. Whisking by hand only takes a minute and gives you so much control over the final texture!
Step 2: Stir in the Parmesan
Once your base is blended, switch to a spatula or spoon and fold in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This is when the dressing transforms with that signature savory tang and a slightly thicker, creamy texture. Taste it now and—if you like—add another crank of black pepper or a pinch more salt to dial up the flavor even more.
Step 3: Adjust Consistency
If your Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing is a little too thick for your liking, stir in water just a teaspoon at a time until it’s perfect for drizzling or tossing. This little trick makes it easy to get that dreamy pourable consistency you see in fancy steakhouses!
Step 4: Taste and Refrigerate
Give the dressing a final taste, adjusting for lemon, salt, or pepper as needed. Transfer it to an airtight container or jar and pop it in the fridge—it tastes even better if it has a little time to chill and let the flavors mingle!
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-grated Parmesan simply can’t compete with the nutty richness and perfect texture of the fresh stuff—grate it yourself just before stirring it in.
- Zest, Don’t Overwhelm with Lemon: Taste as you go! Fresh lemon juice adds brightness, but overdoing it can overpower the dressing—start with the full amount, then adjust as needed.
- Emulsify for Creamy Perfection: Whisk your base until unbelievably smooth before adding Parmesan; this is the secret to a silky, cohesive dressing.
- Make It Ahead: Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing actually gets better after a few hours in the fridge—the garlic and Parmesan flavors intensify beautifully, so don’t hesitate to make it in advance.
How to Serve Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Garnishes
The classic garnish for anything Caesar is a fine shower of extra Parmesan and a handful of crunchy homemade croutons. But don’t stop there! Shards of shaved cheese, a sprinkle of lemon zest, or even cracked black pepper all look gorgeous and add another flavor boost to each plate.
Side Dishes
Pair your Caesar salad with buttery garlic bread, a steaming bowl of tomato soup, or grilled chicken for a meal that feels both fresh and hearty. Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing also works wonders as a dip for fresh veggies or as a sandwich spread—think beyond the salad bowl!
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow your guests, serve individual salads in chilled bowls or on slate boards, drizzle the dressing right before serving, and pile crostini or parmesan crisps on the side. For gatherings or buffets, offer a “build-your-own Caesar” board with lettuce, toppings, and a jar of this beautiful, creamy dressing front and center.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing keeps beautifully for up to five days in an airtight container or jar in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before using again to reincorporate any ingredients that may separate slightly as it chills.
Freezing
This creamy dressing is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’t freeze well—the texture can break and get grainy. Only make as much as you’ll use within a week for best results!
Reheating
No need to reheat, as Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing is meant to be served chilled or at cool room temperature. Simply remove from the fridge and let it sit for about 10 minutes before drizzling over your salad for the silkiest texture.
FAQs
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Can I make Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing without raw eggs?
Absolutely! This version uses mayonnaise instead of raw egg yolks, making it safer and far simpler—no need to worry about tempering eggs or food safety issues.
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Is it possible to make this Caesar dressing vegetarian?
Yes! Just be sure to use a vegetarian Parmesan (like BelGioioso’s, which is made without animal rennet) and check that your Worcestershire sauce is veggie-friendly, or substitute with vegetarian alternatives.
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How do I get a thinner or thicker dressing?
If you prefer a thinner consistency, simply whisk in a little water—just a teaspoon at a time—until it’s perfect for pouring. For a thicker, clingier dressing, use a bit less olive oil or add extra Parmesan.
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Can I prep Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing ahead for a party?
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing is a host’s best friend—it can be made up to 2-3 days in advance, and actually tastes even better as the flavors blend in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before serving!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making your own Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing, now is the time—trust me, it’s the kind of recipe that turns casual salads into something you genuinely crave. Every spoonful is fresh and bright, yet satisfyingly rich. Give it a try and watch your salad nights level-up for good!
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Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: about 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Category: Salad Dressing
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing is rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor. Made with simple ingredients, it’s perfect for drizzling over your favorite salad.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Pinch sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese*
Instructions
- In a large liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and several grinds of pepper until smooth.
- Stir in the cheese and season to taste.
- If the dressing is too thick, stir in water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Notes
- *If you’re vegetarian, make sure to use a Parmesan made without animal rennet. I like BelGioioso’s vegetarian Parmesan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
