Easy Homemade Caesar Dressing

Caesar salad was the gateway salad for my kids—it’s the first one they enjoyed and the way they learned that they do, in fact, like salad. For a while we relied on salad kits from the store, but as our family (and appetites) have grown, I wanted an easy homemade option I could use that cost less and made the logistics of salads for my family straight forward. This recipe is the answer. It’s a version of a recipe my mom has made for a while, with a thinner consistency (so it’s easier to mix) and a little less mustard. There’s also the option to add garlic or not, so you can customize it for your family and their preferences. (It’s delicious both ways, so take the shortcut of not adding garlic if that’s easier for you.) This homemade salad dressing doesn’t have raw egg, so it’s safe for pregnant women and little kids. Also: It’s SO yummy! (You may also like Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Italian Chicken Cutlets, and easy meatball recipes.)

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at what you need so you know what to pick up at the store or grab from the pantry. The good news is that if you do need to purchase ingredients, they last so you can make the dressing a handful of times (or more) before you need to restock.

Mayonnaise: Or you can use plain whole Milk Greek yogurt as a somewhat less conventional, but still very creamy, base. Use vegan mayo, if needed. Grated Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese has more flavor than purchased shredded versions, so that is my preference here. Fresh lemon juice: Measure (or approximate) from about ½ large lemon or a whole medium lemon. The amount of juice in any one lemon can vary, so you may want to measure the first time you make this. Worcestershire sauce: This adds an undertone of flavor that helps it taste like classic Caesar. Anchovy paste: This is usually sold near the canned tuna in a tube. Once opened, you’ll want to store it in the fridge, but it lasts for months. Dijon mustard: Any type of smooth Dijon mustard works here so use a favorite brand. Garlic clove: This is optional as it can be a very strong flavor that the kids may or may not enjoy. If using, you can mince or grate it on a fine microplane. The dressing works with or without it! Salt and black pepper for extra flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This homemade Caesar dressing is as simple as stirring the ingredients together.

How to Store

Once mixed, store the homemade Caesar dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Our family usually gets 2-3 family-size salads from one batch of dressing.

Best Tips for Success

Adding fresh garlic adds flavor, but can be a very strong one so whether or not you add it is up to you. Look for anchovy paste near the canned tuna. It’s usually sold in a tube that’s packaged in a cardboard box. Look for Worcestershire sauce near the mayonnaise and mustard, or other condiments, in your store. Use dressing on chopped Romaine with croutons for a classic Caesar Salad. Add chicken tenders or chicken nuggets for a chicken Caesar salad. Toss dressing with cooked, slightly cooled pasta for a Caesar pasta salad.

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