I have a history with Caesar salad dressing. Many years ago, before I liked salads (yeah, I know!) I thought I didn't like creamy Caesar dressing. Turns out I just had to give it a shot! I have since come up with this homemade one classic caesar salad the dress and it's seriously good!
A little while ago I was at a meeting in a nice restaurant and the hosts served Caesar salad. I didn't want to sound rude, so I ate it… and I loved it! I've been semi-obsessed ever since. Crunchy romaine lettuce, creamy dressing and parmesan cheese make for a wonderful salad.
When I switched to real food, I wanted to find a version without refined vegetable oils and artificial additives, so I experimented with homemade versions. This was definitely one of my hardest Recipe for salad dressing to understand and it took a lot of experimentation. I wanted to be able to make it dairy free but still very creamy. Caesar salad dressing traditionally gets its tangy, savory flavor from Italian Parmesan Reggiano cheese.
Not to brag, but in the end, I came away with a Caesar dress that rivals anything I've tried, even at the finest gourmet restaurant! This recipe is such a favorite that I included it Wellness Mama Cookbook.
And taste isn't all there is to it!
Caesar's dressing made wholesome
Store-bought Caesar dressing from the grocery store may be fish, and it is not anchovies. You will often find undesirable ingredients such as GMO soybean oil, MSG, gluten and preservatives.
of Caesar's original clothing first created in 1924 and made from scratch tableside. The umami flavor of the anchovies was paired with tart lemon juice and Dijon mustard and topped with a diced crostini. It's still made this way at the original restaurant in Tijuana.
We've come a long way from fresh, tableside ingredients to today's MSG-laden sauces! Home cooks can recapture the taste of the original though with simple, fresh ingredients. Homemade croutons are optional. All it takes is a whisk or small blender and a few extra minutes.
This healthy Caesar dressing is a great way to get more olive oil into your diet, with all its anti-inflammatories and. heart healthy properties. Egg whites, apple cider vinegar and fresh lemon juice add even more flavor and health benefits.
Dairy-free Caesar salad dressing
For a dairy-free version, simply omit the parmesan. Some readers have suggested that nutritional yeast flakes work well as a substitute and have a “cheesy” flavor. The egg adds a rich, creamy texture, so the sauce still works well without the cheese.
Caesar salad “Dressed” Up
Just because a traditional Caesar salad consists mostly of lettuce, dressing, and croutons (and usually a lot of cheese!) doesn't mean you can't get creative and add other healthy veggies.
Try mixing things up and adding some color with olives, peppers, chopped fresh herbs, thinly sliced red cabbage, grated carrots or sunflower seeds. Serve with a fresh lemon wedge on the side for extra crunch.
For a complete meal, add grilled chicken or shrimp. If you're like me and want to get Caesar salad on the menu whenever you can, get more meal planning ideas here. This salad dressing also works well to dress baked potatoes or eggs for breakfast. No need to stop with the salad!
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
A homemade Caesar dressing with real food ingredients like olive oil, garlic and apple cider vinegar.
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In a medium bowl, beat the raw egg yolk at room temperature with a whisk. Or use a blender on low speed.
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Add the apple cider vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, garlic cloves, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste and Parmesan cheese if using and stir until creamy.
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Slowly add olive oil, stirring or mixing constantly on low speed to emulsify until incorporated.
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Season to taste.
Nutrition facts
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Amount Per Serving (2 TBSP)
Calories 182
Calories from fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19 g29%
Saturated fat 3 g19%
Unsaturated fat 2 g
Monounsaturated fat 14 g
cholesterol 49 mg16%
Sodium 86 mg4%
potassium 49 mg1%
Carbohydrates 2 g1%
Fiber 0.1 g0%
Sugar 0.5 g1%
Protein 1 g2%
Vitamin A 70 IU1%
Vitamin C 2 mg2%
Calcium 16 mg2%
Iron 0.5 mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
If you still want a “cheesy” flavor without the dairy, try adding nutritional yeast flakes instead of parmesan cheese.
Tips for making Caesar's dressing
This recipe is definitely best right after it's made, but you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
If the coating is not well incorporated, your egg may have been too cold! If necessary, leave at room temperature for another 10 minutes and mix again.
What are your favorite Caesar salad mixes? Please share in the comments below!
