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freshly made caesar salad dressing in a jar with a teaspoon inside.
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4.57 from 16 votes

Caesar Salad Dressing

Embrace the true Caesar with this authentic Caesar Salad Dressing! This zesty mix of garlic, anchovy paste, capers, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, harmonized with the creaminess of mayonnaise and the rich flavor of Parmesan cheese, is beautifully rounded off by high-quality extra virgin olive oil. This homemade dressing is so versatile and delicious, it'll become your go-to for more than just salads. Get ready for a flavor explosion!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Salad Dressing
Cuisine: American
Keyword: caesar salad dressing
Servings: 6
Calories: 324kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon anchovy paste optional
  • ½ teaspoon pepper freshly cracked
  • 2 teaspoons capers brined
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice from one lemon
  • 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • ½ cup olive oil extra virgin, good quality
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Mash: Add the garlic, anchovy paste, pepper, and capers to a mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash the ingredients together.
  • Finish: Whisk the lemon juice, dijon, mayo, and parmesan cheese into the bowl. While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in the olive oil. Continue to stir until completely emulsified. Taste for seasoning and add salt if needed.

Notes

  1. Recipe yields almost 1½ cups of dressing.
  2. Nutritional information is per ¼ cup of dressing.
  3. Quality Matters: For the best tasting Caesar salad dressing, use high-quality ingredients. This is particularly true for the extra virgin olive oil and Parmesan cheese.
  4. Adjust to Your Taste: Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your palate. If you prefer a zestier dressing, add a bit more lemon juice. If you like it creamier, add a touch more mayonnaise.
  5. Emulsify Well: To create a creamy, unified dressing that doesn't separate, be sure to slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking.
  6. Fresh is Best: While this dressing stores well, it's always best when fresh. If you're planning a dinner party, whip it up right before your guests arrive for the most impressive flavor.
  7. Skip the Anchovy Paste: If you're not a fan of anchovies or if you're serving vegetarians, you can omit the anchovy paste. The dressing will still be delicious!
  8. Transfer your dressing to a sealable jar, bottle, or container. Store in the fridge up to one week.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 405mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 0.3mg