Our 2-Minute Creamy Caesar Dressing brings this tableside classic to your family dinners with ease.
We use a hand blender and it’s done in a snap!
It only takes 30 seconds to blend it up and a minute or so to prep the ingredients.
If you’ve had the pleasure of eating a Classic Caesar Salad prepared table-side at a restaurant, you know that no bottled dressing even comes close.
=> Watch the video in the recipe and see how fast it is to make this savory dressing and serve a classic Caesar salad for dinner.
There are always variations, even for the best Caesar—anchovy or no anchovy, egg or no egg, white wine Worcestershire or regular—the delicious part is finding the one that suits you.
The dressing ingredients are common pantry items except for maybe anchovies, so we’ll start there.
Embracing Anchovies in Caesar Dressing
It’s a food hack thing. Anchovy has long been used to bring the magic of umami to sauces, stews, dips, and dressings.
However, one of the original Caesar salads did not include anchovy in the recipe. The addition of anchovies came later, and in my opinion, creates the distinct depth of flavor we love about this salad.
- In my experience, whole anchovies taste less intense than anchovy paste.
- I prefer oil-packed whole anchovies
in a glass jar over canned, and choose canned over the paste.
- The ONLY ingredients should be anchovy, olive oil, and salt.
TIP: If you’re worried about the dressing tasting fishy, the best way to tame the anchovy is to either reduce the amount or increase the amount of lemon juice.
- soy sauce
- kalamata olives
- bonito flakes
- miso
Raw Egg, No Egg, and Quick Egg Substitutes for Caesar Dressing
- The egg yolk is what gives the dressing its rich, creamy texture and serves as an emulsifier—lecithin in egg yolk stabilizes the dressing, keeping it from separating.
- We appreciate the health benefits of raw pastured eggs, but those avoiding raw eggs due to allergies, immune suppression or pregnancy, may want a substitute.
- Of course, you can omit the eggs altogether for a less creamy, but still delicious dressing.
Quick Egg Substitutes: 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons hummus, 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt, or 1/4 cup mashed avocado.
TIP => To make consuming raw eggs as safe as possible, buy pasteurized eggs at the store or pasteurize your own (see the recipe for at-home pasteurizing method).
Make no mistake, homemade dressing is worth the 2 minutes!
As a savvy shopper who reads ingredient labels, you already know most bottled salad dressings are not a healthy choice because of the cheap, rancid oils they use.
Our former favorite brand of Caesar dressing is an example: (ingredient list taken directly from their label)
Ingredients: Former Popular Favorite
Soybean Oil, Water, Egg Yolk, Salt, White Wine and Distilled Vinegars, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Spices (Including Mustard Seed), Parmesan Cheese (Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Garlic (Dehydrated), Onion (Dehydrated), Olive Oil, Xanthan Gum, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Rosemary Extract, Caramel Color, Sugar, Anchovies, Tamarind, Natural Flavors.
We gave up the bottled stuff for this healthier homemade version and are so glad we did!
- We have control over every ingredient and the flavor cannot be beat.
- Healthy fats are an important, so we use avocado oil
whenever we make this recipe.
- The neutral flavor of avocado oil is perfect for Caesar salad dressing over the added flavor of extra-virgin olive oil.
Read more about healthy fats and oils in this Healthy Mayonnaise post.
The Best Lettuce for Caesar Salad
Romaine lettuce is the traditional choice of greens with a stout rib in the center of each leaf making it sturdy enough for heavier dressing and providing a pleasing crunch.
In one of the original recipes, the leaves were left whole as a natural cradle for the dressing and could be eaten with your fingers.
The best lettuce beyond the standard romaine: These greens are slightly bitter and less sweet than romaine, so they work best when part of a mix.
- Belgian endive
- chicory (curly endive)
- frisée
- radicchio
- flat-leaf spinach
- kale
- cabbage
We love the bold, rich flavor of lemon, anchovy, and Parmesan over grilled cabbage wedges too!
Grilled cabbage wedges with Classic Caesar Dressing and Croutons
Take Caesar Salad Over the Top with Homemade Croutons:
- Select quality French bread, we use Sprouted Wheat French Bread whenever possible.
- Cut into bite-size cubes.
- Toss with 2 tablespoons melted butter mixed with 2 tablespoons olive oil, per 4 cups of cubed bread.
- Arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste.
- Bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown.
Go Grain-Free / Gluten-Free with these Keto-friendly crouton recipes:
Homemade Grain-Free Croutons Recipe
Low-Carb Parmesan Croutons
Easy Parmesan Crisps
Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 large heads romaine lettuce (about 12 cups) -- washed and dried
- 1 clove garlic (or rounded teaspoon)
- 1 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 5 anchovy fillets , chopped -- approx 2 tablespoons
- 1 *egg , pasture-raised
- 1 *egg yolk , pasture-raised
- 1/3 cup shredded Reggiano Parmigiano cheese , plus more of a block to shave for garnish
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard , Annie's GF
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup avocado oil , or extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup croutons (see quick recipe steps in post)
Instructions
- Chop cleaned and dried lettuce into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
Using a food processor:
- In a small bowl, stir garlic into lemon juice, set aside. Place anchovies, egg, egg yolk, 1/3 cup Parmesan, 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a food processor and blend until anchovy is chopped fine.
- Add lemon juice and garlic; blend again until incorporated. While the processor is running, pour in the 1/2 cup avocado oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified and incorporated.
Using a hand blender:
- Place the combined garlic and lemon juice, anchovies, egg, egg yolk, 1/3 cup Parmesan, 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 cup avocado oil in a tall jar. Blend with a hand (immersion) blender on high for about 30 seconds until emulsified and incorporated.
- Toss the romaine lettuce and croutons with enough dressing to coat the leaves just before serving. Shave thin pieces of Parmesan cheese from a block with a vegetable peeler for garnish and offer fresh cracked pepper at the table.
Video Displays Here or In Post
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
More Delicious Salad & Homemade Dressing Recipes You’ll Love:
-
Bid Winter Adieu with Spinach-Strawberry Salad
-
Citrus Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts and Orange-Dijon Dressing
-
Fried Goat Cheese & Grilled Beet Salad
-
Baby Arugula with Blueberries and Walnuts
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
We eat Caesar salad every single week so I always love trying different dressings!
Meredith says
I love a caesar salad… and can definitely handle a salad dressing that takes 2 min!!! PS – those grilled cabbage wedges look delish. Definitely making those too!
Judy Purcell says
Thanks Meredith, I think you’ll fall in love with the grilled cabbage. Do let me know!
chihyu says
Love this salad so much. Full of flavor and healthy delicious!
Kelly says
You gotta love a few minute whip up in the blender. A classic for a reason!
paleoglutenfreeguy says
Yes to anchovies! They add such a great flavor even if they’re not 100% “authentic.” This looks so good!
Tessa Simpson says
I adore caesar salad, such classic flavors….you can’t go wrong!
Joni says
Omg yum! Love the quick egg substitutes you provide! Great recipe!
Megan Stevens says
I love that you use whole anchovy fillets! This looks like the best, classic recipe online to follow! Thank you! I was looking for a recipe just like the one I grew up with. It was made at our country club table-side, so much fun to watch and eat! 🙂
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
Pinning this one to try asap! You had me at “2 minutes”.
I am happy to add that additional umami flavour from anchovies!
Sincerely — Caesar Salad is a classic dish that I would love to master!
Thanks
Emily Kemp says
This looks so delicious, Caesar salad is one of my all time favourites!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
You will never, ever find a bottle of salad dressing in our refrigerator, as you say it takes so little time to prepare it fresh. We love Caesar salads and your recipe is close to what we do…the only difference is no egg white in ours. I’m sure the taste is much the same.
Judy Purcell says
Same here, Karen, there is no comparison to fresh. 🙂
mjskitchen says
What a great post that covers every aspect of a classic! The Caesar is the ultimate classic salad and what a wonderful thing you’ve put together so we can all make it at home. Thank you! And yes, you are so right in that the couple of minutes it takes to make a homemade salad dressing is well worth it. We haven’t bought a salad dressing in decades. 🙂
Judy Purcell says
Thanks, MJ, for your kind encouragement. 🙂 Yeah, making the break from store bought dressing is a win!
Pati Stephens says
This is by far the best Caesar salad dressing I’ve ever had. Especially on grilled cabbage with those crunchy croutons… Yum!
Judy Purcell says
Thank you, Pati! I’m with you on the grilled cabbage. 🙂
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Definitely anchovy! They add so much flavor. And who doesn’t like this classic salad? One of my favorites. Thanks!
Judy Purcell says
John, I’m with you, anchovy all the way here!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Love your peppy little video! Our family loves Caesar dressing and we go through fast. Need to try your recipe. Sharing, of course!
Judy Purcell says
Thanks, Bam, that was my first video attempt, I appreciate your kind remarks! We go through fresh Caesar dressing quickly too … it’s a standard at our house. 🙂
Debbie @ Easy Natural Food says
Oooh this looks so good! I’m going to try making a Caesar Salad soon and your dressing sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing this with Summer Salad Sundays, look forward to seeing you again soon!
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
I really enjoyed this post – Caesar salad with a scratch dressing is always the best, and your recipe sound wonderful! Thank you for sharing it with the Hearth and Soul blog hop.
rsmacaalay says
The last time I had these was last weekend when we had a conference, I still crave for it until now, it may look simple but the flavours in this salad is sometimes way much better than the fancy ones. I love minse with lots and lots of parmesan 🙂
thedrivencook says
Looks delicious- I just never enjoy thinking about what’s in it (like anchovies and raw eggs!)
Recipe Chefs says
What a delicious post thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed reading it very much.I love food and this post just made me hungry.