Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

This salad dressing is surprisingly easy to make and tastes so much better than store-bought. Perfect for caesar salad, chicken caesar wraps and more!

There are many popular salads, but one of the most popular has to be the Caesar salad. Go to most restaurants and you will find a Caesar salad on the menu. The typical Caesar salad is quite simple, including torn romaine lettuce leaves, bacon, croutons and grated parmigiano reggiano. Some variations include mushrooms, sliced chicken breast, capers and more. Homemade Caesar salad dressing is easy to make and tastes so good!

A bowl of fresh Caesar salad.

The most distinctive element of the Caesar salad is the dressing. Flavours of garlic, anchovy, dijon and parmesan cheese all blend to make a wonderful dressing that beautifully coats the romaine lettuce leaves.

Old recipes for Caesar salad dressing were emulsified with raw egg yolks. With the fears of salmonella, it is just as easy to mix in some mayonnaise to get the emulsifying started. This recipe allows you to make Caesar salad dressing that is beyond amazing and way better than anything you will buy in the grocery store!

A jar of dressing in front of a bowl full of salad.

Ingredients You will Need

  • olive oil
  • mayonnaise
  • dijon mustard
  • garlic
  • parmigiano reggiano
  • anchovy paste
  • lemon juice
  • Worcestershire sauce

You Can Make This Dressing Two Different Ways

I have made this dressing using two different techniques. You can use a wire whisk to manually mix the salad dressing. Another method is using a food processor to let the machine do all the work. Both options work well and the dressing tastes amazing using either method.

A fresh salad with bacon and croutons.

How to Make this with a Whisk

The first is with a large glass bowl and a wire whisk. This is hard work, especially for your arm as you are whisking the oil into the dressing. This dressing is emulsified in the same way as making mayonnaise from scratch or aioli.

For the dressing, whisk everything except oil together first. Then slowly, while whisking, drizzle the oil in. The whisking emulsifies the oil with the rest of the ingredients to create a smooth and creamy dressing.

Overhead picture of Caesar salad and a jar of salad dressing.

How to Make Salad Dressing with a Food Processor

The other way that I have made this dressing, and my preference by far, is by using a food processor. I use my 7 cup food processor and I find that a food processor that is any larger (10 or 12 cup models) would be too big and not allow the dressing to mix well.

First, add all the ingredients, except the oil to the food processor. Then, turn on the food processor and slowly drizzle in the oil. The processor does all the emulsifying for you and saves your arm from a lot of hard work!

Fresh salad with croutons next to a whole lemon.

Other Salad Dressing Recipes

If you like this homemade Caesar salad dressing and want to make some more, then check out this recipes!

Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

A whole lemon next to Caesar salad dressing.
4.81 out of 5
51 reviews
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This caesar salad dressing recipe is simple and easy to make. Tips to emulsify the dressing so it is creamy. 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 3 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh grated parmigiano reggiano (parmesean cheese)
  • 1 tsp anchovy paste (more or less depending on taste preference)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  • In a glass bowl whisk together all the ingredients except the olive oil, until smooth and creamy.
  • Slowly drizzle the olive oil, while whisking. Do not pour the oil too quickly, but instead make sure that it has emulsified into the rest of the ingredients before pouring in more. Continue to drizzle and whisk until all the oil has been added.
  • Store the Caesar salad dressing in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

Food processor method: Add all the ingredients, except the olive oil, to a food processor. Turn on and pulse until smooth and creamy. While the food processor is on, slowly drizzle the oil through the top chute. Do not pour the oil in too quickly as that can break the emulsification process. Just drizzle it slowly until all the oil has been added.

Nutrition

Per serving:

Calories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 94mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.2g

Nutrition Disclaimer

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Did you try this recipe?

Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Or, take a picture to share on Instagram and tag me @theblackpeppercorn.

4.81 from 51 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




67 comments

  • 5 stars
    I must have made this a hundred times for my husband. Every time he just loves it, ok me too 🙂 This is by far the best Caesar Dressing recipe I’ve tried.

    • Reply
  • Love this dressing! Would like to know how healthy/unhealthy it is though lol

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Made a batch of this this afternoon, had caesar salad and grilled chicken tonight with my wife, it was delicious. I’ll be make this again.

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    The BEST ever! I will never need to try another one now. Thank you!

    • Reply
  • the best dressing i have done !my family loves it!!

    • Reply
  • Best caesar salad dressing ever! Don’t ever have anchovies but subbed with some capers and now it’s my go to!!! Thanks!

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Great Caesar salad dressing! Easier to make than most.

    • Reply
  • I made your ceasar salad dressing today. It’s Awesome and a Keeper!!!

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I love the flavor of this Caesar dressing just as it is and consider it a keeper. Even my husband loved it who never likes anything new that I make. And thing is, I couldn’t find where to see the directions at first and ended up mixing everything in my Bullet..and it still came out great. Next time, though I’ll add the oil gradually to emulsify the ingredients and will look forward to having it in the right way it’s to be made.

    • Reply
    • So glad you guys enjoyed the recipe!!

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I was supposed to bring ceasar salad to a youth supper and decided spur of the moment to make my own ceasar dressing. I had never made salad dressing but this was was easy…and delicious! –16 yr.old cook

    • Reply
    • Thanks for your feedback! So glad you liked the dressing!!!

      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    I loved this recipe! I did t be any anchovie paste so I used the juice from the green olives I have a had in fridge. It turned out amazing!

    • Reply
    • Using juice from a jar of olives sounds very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

      • Reply
  • great taste

    • Reply

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