Why I Keep Coming Back To This Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe

Once I nailed this Caesar dressing recipe at home, I stopped grabbing the bottled kind for good. I love that it’s super quick to whip up with just a few pantry staples and about 5 minutes. And it’s not just for salad! If you’ve never made homemade Caesar dressing, this is the one to start with. Here’s why:
- Super creamy texture – The mayo and olive oil combo makes it extra smooth without needing a blender. Just whisk it up and you’re good to go.
- You can use it for everything – I use it as a marinade for chicken or shrimp, toss it with roasted veggies or air fryer veggies, or even serve it as a dip for raw ones. It’s way more than just a salad dressing. Check out all my favorite ways to use it below!
- Tastes better than store-bought – I tested this against about a dozen brands (yes, really!) and this one came out on top every time. It’s rich, savory, and perfectly balanced.
I think you’ll have just as much fun making this Caesar dressing recipe as I do. Make it with me!

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my Caesar dressing recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Mayonnaise – This makes the dressing super creamy. I usually make my own with an immersion blender, but store-bought is totally fine too. You can also swap in plain Greek yogurt if you want something lighter, but the flavor will be a little different.
- Olive Oil – I usually use regular or extra virgin olive oil, but avocado oil works too.
- Lemon Juice – Adds that bright, tangy kick. I’ll use bottled lemon juice when I’m short on time, but fresh lemon juice definitely tastes better.
- Anchovy Paste – Don’t skip it! It gives the dressing that classic Caesar flavor without tasting fishy. I always go for the paste instead of canned anchovy filets because it’s way easier to use and store.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a rich, savory flavor. If you’re out, coconut aminos or soy sauce swaps work in a pinch.
- Garlic – I like using fresh garlic, but if you’re in a hurry, 3 teaspoons of jarred garlic or even garlic powder (about 3/4 teaspoon) works fine too.
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VARIATION: Add some Dijon mustard!
How To Make Caesar Dressing
Making this Caesar dressing couldn’t be easier. Just whisk everything together in a bowl until it’s smooth and creamy. Taste it, then add more salt or pepper if you want.
I usually keep mine in an airtight container like this jar in the fridge, but these salad dressing containers work great too if you’re meal prepping for the week.



Caesar Dressing Recipe
My caesar salad dressing recipe is creamy, tangy, and easy to make in just 5 minutes. Once you try it, you’re hooked!
Instructions
[ See step photos ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
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Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
- Serving ideas: See my serving ideas below for easy ways to use this caesar dressing beyond just salads.
- Store: Store any leftover dressing in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a week. I don’t recommend freezing it because it’ll separate and lose that creamy dressing texture.
- Meal Prep: I like to make this caesar dressing ahead of time so it’s ready to go whenever I need it.
My entire recipe makes 2 cups.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
Add Your Notes Your Notes
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Caesar Dressing Recipe

Serving Ideas
This Caesar dressing recipe is perfect on greens, but I’ve used it in way more than just salads. You can check out all my salad recipes here, but here are a few other favorites:
- Salads (of course!) – I love it on a classic Caesar salad, chicken Caesar or shrimp Caesar salad with romaine, tomatoes, and parmesan cheese, but I’ve also swapped it into cucumber noodles or used it in place of Italian dressing on marinated artichoke salad.
- Veggie drizzles & dips – This dressing is just as good on roasted asparagus or broccoli as it is with raw ones like cucumbers and carrots. Sometimes I just use it as a dip when I don’t feel like making a full salad.
- Seafood boost – Try it with pan seared salmon or drizzle it over shrimp or scallops. It adds just the right creamy, savory flavor without overpowering anything.

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68 Comments
Gail
1This Caesar dressing recipe is similar to one I have made for years. Mine is hotter and spicier. Besides your ingredients (except for the mayo and salt) it includes one coddled egg, 3 – 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 12 drops of Tabasco sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, 25 turns of ground black pepper, anchovies in oil instead of paste, and about a half cup of prepared Caesar dressing. I finely chop the garlic cloves and mix all the ingredients in a blender, then let it sit and mature for a while. It is hugely popular!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you for sharing, Gail! Your dressing sounds great.
Erin
1This is the best!! Tastes like a restaurant. I do make a couple changes. Since this is a heavy fat dressing (and I put on a salad with other heavy fat things such as parmesan cheese and whisps for crunch), I do half mayo and half greek yogurt. I don’t notice a difference; it’s how I make my ranch dressing too. I don’t usually have garlic on hand or want to cut up garlic, so I season with garlic powder to taste. I also cut back on anchovy paste by half. Again, fabulous recipe that I refer to again and again!!!!
Elizabeth S
1This was really good. I love Caesar dressing so I thought it was time to make my own, it didn’t disappoint. I prefer this to store-bought dressings. Will make again.
Monica
0This is an excellent recipe. I think it is restaurant quality if not better because you have total control of what goes in it. Thank you for sharing this it was so good!
Mom and kids approved 😀
Wholesome Yum D
0Monica, I love hearing that. Homemade really does shine when you can control every ingredient, and I’m so glad it got the mom and kid stamp of approval. Thank you for trying it!
Kate
1I’m 99% sure that this is my new favorite thing. I am also 99% sure that I will use some of the extra dressing to mix with the yolks for my deviled eggs. Now THAT’S a classy take on what feels like a kiddo dish when you have it soooo often on keto. I used Duke’s Mayo and it has the most delicious creamy texture. My only note to my future self when making this is to mix the anchovy paste with some of the other more liquid ingredients before adding to the thick mayo. It was a bit hard to break some of the bits down and I was way to lazy to just throw it in my food processor. 10/10 overall.
Hanna
0The recipe worked very well for the Caesar salad for lunch. I used Greek yogurt since I didn’t have mayonnaise and minced capers instead of anchovy paste, and also had to add more salt. It still turned out great in the salad and my family enjoyed it.
Wholesome Yum D
0Thanks for sharing what worked for you, Hanna! I’m happy the whole family enjoyed the Caesar salad.
JNOON
0I halved the recipe and it was plenty for 4 small romaine heart salads with grilled chicken. Delicious! I added 1Tbsp dry white wine as we like a thinner dressing to control portions in the “pour” more easily. For healthy tailgating folks: handheld chicken Caesar salads! Baby romaine, strip of italian grilled chicken, crouton crumbs, parm strip and this dressing. Add a bell pepper for color…voila!!!
Wholesome Yum D
0I love hearing how you made it work for your meal! Those handheld chicken Caesar salads sound like such a fun idea for tailgating. Thanks so much for sharing your delicious variations!
Lisa Schreiber
0I just made this dressing and it’s simple and delicious.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so happy you liked it, Lisa! Enjoy!
Aileen
0Beautiful and delicious Caesar salad and the Caesar dressing
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thanks, Aileen! I’m glad you enjoyed this dressing.
Leah
0What type of mayo would I use? As regular mayo is not keto friendly
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Leah, I suggest my homemade mayo recipe.
Jfaith
0Absolutely delicious and easy to make!
G Mixer
0I am going on a new type of Keto meal plan called OMAD. (one meal a day) I have decided to utilize anchovies, which are good on this plan. I love Caesar salad dressing and lots of garlic (probiotics). I gave up my soybean oil mayo and now use avocado oil mayo.
Wish me luck.
Vladka
0This dressing is creamy, de,licious and ready in no time. So far, my favorite ceasar salad dressing.
Shelby
0This caesar dressing recipe is SO much better than store bought! It’s amazing to have on hand and makes even a simple salad have some actual flavor!
Glenda
0One of my kitchen staples! Love, love, love!
Rebecca
0I used this recipe to make chicken caesar salad for dinner last night and it was so good! So much better than the bottled dressing I usually buy. And it was so easy to make I doubt we’ll buy bottled dressing ever again.
tracey
0Delicious! A little goes a long way for me, and it hit the spot.
Ebony
0So delicious!
Kathy
0I didn’t have lemon juice, but I had lime juice. Apparently that is fine! This keto Caesar dressing is wonderful! I used to be completely hooked on the Caeser at Cotton Patch but this is so much better! And carb free, which basically makes it a free food from a keto point of view. Thank you again for your wonderful dressing recipes. The 1000 Island was superb as well.
Linda Curran
0I have to watch the salt. If I omit the anchovies, will that still make this delicious?
Jen Taylor
0Hi Linda,
Just wanted to share that I have never used anchovy paste and while I’m sure it makes it that much better, this dressing is absolutely delicious!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Linda, It won’t have the same flavor, but the sodium content will be lower.
Laurel Peterson
0Love this dressing…only dressing we ever use and never tire of it! Thank you, Maya!
Sharon
0Delicious, thank you!