This post was originally published on December 18, 2023, and has been updated with new photos and helpful tips.
If you've never tried making Caesar dressing from scratch, this recipe will show you how easy it really is. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a creamy, tangy dressing that tastes far better than anything store-bought-perfect for tossing with crisp romaine for a quick, flavorful salad.
Technically, this isn't a traditional Caesar dressing-it skips a few of the classic ingredients like raw egg yolks and anchovies. But don't let that fool you. It's bold, creamy, and packed with flavor. Plus, it's super easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients.
One of the best things about this easy Caesar dressing is that you don't need a food processor or immersion blender-just a mason jar and a lid. It's perfect for small RV kitchens or anyone cooking in a tight space.
And cleanup? There really isn't any. Just give it a shake, pop the jar in the fridge, and store your homemade dressing for up to a week.
This creamy dressing is one of our go-to recipes. My family loves it on romaine lettuce, in wraps, or even drizzled over burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches.
It's a simple shortcut that tastes just like the real deal-bold, tangy, and packed with umami flavor. You're going to want to put it on everything!
Why You'll Love This Easy Caesar Dressing
- Versatile-use it on salads, wraps, sandwiches, or burgers
- No blender, no whisking-just shake!
- No raw eggs or anchovies
- Done in 5 minutes
- Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
Let's Gather Up the Ingredients
Organizing all of your ingredients ahead of time not only streamlines the cooking process but also ensures you have everything required to complete the dish successfully. You can find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise- Traditional Caesar dressing recipes call for extra-virgin olive oil and egg yolk, which turn into homemade mayonnaise during the process of making the recipe. We're taking a shortcut and starting with store-bought mayonnaise. The good thing is you don't have to worry if you are squeamish about the risk of salmonella from raw eggs. Just be sure to use a high-quality brand for the best flavor.
- Garlic- Just one large clove of fresh garlic will do the trick. Use a garlic press, grate it on your Microplane, or mince it into a paste using the back of your knife and a cutting board.
- Lemon Juice- Fresh lemon juice is one of several tangy ingredients in this dressing, so we only need a couple of teaspoons (one lemon will be more than plenty).
- Dijon Mustard- Dijon mustard lends a distinct flavor to Caesar dressing. You probably won't discern it in the final product, but it makes a big difference.
- Worcestershire Sauce - Just a little bit goes a long way here. It adds that deep, savory umami flavor that makes this homemade dressing taste rich and well-rounded. If you're skipping anchovy paste or anchovy filets, Worcestershire is the secret weapon that pulls it all together.
- Parmesan Cheese- Finely grated Parmesan gives the dressing an additional salty, umami flavor and a rich, cheesy texture.
- Salt, Pepper & Water- Many of the ingredients in this recipe are already salty, so be careful when adding additional salt. Remember that you can always add more, but you can't take it away. We will, however, load up this dressing with fresh cracked black pepper! Lastly, the dressing will be thick, so add enough water so it reaches a drizzly consistency. Start with 1 tablespoon and then add more until you get the consistency that you like.
Tips for success: Traditional Caesar dressing usually calls for anchovy filets or anchovy paste-they're key to that signature fishy flavor and deep umami. I skip them most of the time and still get a good Caesar dressing, but if you're craving that extra depth and don't have anchovies, just add a little bit of fish sauce. It's an easy swap that works in a pinch.
I like to make this easy Caesar dressing right in a Mason jar-it's one of my go-to kitchen tools. I use them for everything from mixing homemade dressings and saving bacon grease to storing soups, sauces, and even layering salads for grab-and-go lunches.
If you don't have a Mason jar handy, you can whisk everything together in a medium bowl instead. Just be sure to transfer any leftovers to an airtight container before refrigerating.
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a mason jar or small container.
Secure the lid and shake until creamy and fully combined.
Taste and adjust-add more lemon juice, a bit more Parmesan, or an extra dash of fish sauce if needed.
The result is a creamy dressing that works for way more than just salad-it's super versatile and perfect for everything from wraps to sandwich spreads.
Take Your Caesar Dressing Beyond Salad With These 5 Simple Recipes
How to Use It
Tonight we're throwing together a Restaurant-Style Caesar Salad with romaine lettuce and homemade croutons, and serving it alongside my husband's favorite Italian Bowtie Pasta. If we're in more of a soup-and-salad mood, I'll swap the pasta for a cozy bowl of Tomato Gnocchi Soup.
Tomorrow I'll use it in the Caesar Chicken Wraps with Bacon and Avocado that I'm making for lunch!
Frequently Asked Questions
The origins are debated, but it likely emerged in Tijuana, Mexico, and was named after restaurateur Caesar Cardini.
Traditionally, it's made with egg yolks, anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Variations abound!
To add a tangy flavor, drizzle it on roasted vegetables, toss with pasta or quinoa salad, or use it to marinate chicken or tofu.
Homemade versions can be more wholesome than store-bought, focusing on fresh ingredients and healthy fats. Be mindful of portion sizes and choose lighter options if you are on a medically restrictive diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
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As always, I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours!
Short Cut Caesar Dressing
Equipment
- Mason jar
- Garlic press or microplane
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced or grated
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon water
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into a wide mouth mason jar. Screw the lid on tightly and shake until all of the ingredients are well combined.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Notes
- If you want a more authentic version of this recipe, you could add 1 teaspoon of anchovy paste or a little bit of fish sauce.
- Like a little spice? Add a few red pepper flakes to the mix.
- This can be refrigerated and stored for up to a week right in the mason jar.
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Tara says
Such a wonderful homemade dressing! I love how it comes together in just five minutes. So much better than store bought.
Holley says
I never made my own homemade caesar dressing before. This was so easy to make and was absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Toni says
A new favorite dressing! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Andrea says
We are big fans of homemade dressing and this fantastic caser dressing is going on my "must make" list right now.
Gianne says
It is super easy to make and tastes incredibly delicious. The combination of garlic, parmesan cheese, and anchovy paste gives it a perfect savory flavor.