Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe (2024)

This recipe is: dairy freeegg freegluten freenut free

Skip the heavy, creamy dressing and make this easy, Caesar vinaigrette instead. This homemade caesar salad dressing recipe only takes a few minutes and it’s egg and dairy free.

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This is the best Caesar salad dressing recipe

I have a major love-hate relationship with salad. I’m not sure why, but I go through major phases of wanting to eat salad everyday to avoidingit like the plague. I seriously can’t decide how I feel about it. Though, I will say that I think dressing is a major contributing factor.

I’m pretty against bottled dressing even though it’s inevitable that I’ll have to use one every now and then, and I’m really picky about having my salad dressed. I’m not a fan of putting my dressing on at the table. I know it seems like there isn’t much of a difference, but it seems huge to me.

So I try to make homemade dressing whenever I can. It’s not all that hard, and it makes such an impact on the flavor of a salad.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

Why you’ll love this caesar dressing

Now, I know caesar dressing can be a bit controversial. There’s so many stances you can take on the subject – creamy vs. non-creamy, anchovies or not, and is there seriously supposed to be raw egg in this.

I’m actually onboard with all of them (I’m not about to do the whole raw egg thing just out of laziness). But, I have to say, a caesar vinaigrette with anchovies is by far my favorite.

And, it’s so easy to make. The secret is anchovy paste. Ok, it’s not actually a secret, but it’s quite a time saver and gives you the flavor you’re looking for from the anchovies without having to actually chop up those squishy little filets.

This recipe makes enough for 1 really big salad or two average sized ones.

Everything you need to know about recipe name

What can I substitute for anchovies in Caesar dressing?

I like to use anchovy paste to add this particular flavor to caesar dressing. This is easily kept in the fridge and can be added to all sorts of things for adding salty, fishy flavor. Whole anchovy fillets can be pureed, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce or even capers can be substituted as an alternative to anchovy paste.

Do all Caesar dressings have anchovies?

Traditionally Caesar dressing does include anchovies or anchovy paste, and you won’t quite get the flavor right without it.

More salad dressing recipes:

Dijon vinaigrette
Homemade ranch dressing
Thousand island dressing
Ginger dressing
Cilantro dressing

Caesar Salad Dressing

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4.7 from 6 reviews

Skip the heavy, creamy dressing and make this easy, Caesar vinaigrette instead. This homemade caesar salad dressing recipe only takes a few minutes and contains no raw egg. Plus, it’s healthy, dairy free and paleo friendly so you can enjoy it whenever you want.

Author: Melissa Belanger
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: about 2/3 cup 1x
Category: Salads
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 – 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon anchovy paste
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

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Instructions

Whisk together dressing ingredients until the oil has emulsified.
Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 176
Sugar: 0.4 g
Sodium: 498.7 mg
Fat: 19 g
Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
Carbohydrates: 1.6 g
Fiber: 0.1 g
Protein: 1 g
Cholesterol: 2.6 mg