You won't believe how easy it is to make a super creamy and delicious Caesar salad dressing at home. Many people think this dressing is tricky, but I'm here to show you just how simple it is—and it takes less than 5 minutes to make!
This homemade version beats any store-bought dressing, hands down. Why? Because we're using fresh, simple ingredients that make all the difference. The flavors come together beautifully, especially when paired with a rotisserie chicken Caesar salad. It's incredibly tasty and straightforward to make. Let's make classic salad dressing from scratch!
This recipe is: Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free and Vegetarian
Table of Contents
8 Reasons To Love This Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with this Caesar salad dressing—here's why:
- Tastes better than any store-bought Caesar dressing.
- Uses easy-to-find ingredients you can customize to your taste.
- No anchovies, no fishy flavors! I get excited about this, too—I really try to avoid them.
- No raw eggs either, so you can feel confident in the kitchen.
- Sugar-free and low carb, making it super creamy and satisfying.
- The garlic flavor is balanced, so it doesn’t overpower the dressing.
- Stores well in the fridge for up to 10 days—how convenient is that?
- Doubles as a fantastic dip for wings and raw veggies.
Is Caesar Salad Dressing Low Carb?
Caesar salad dressing can be low carb, depending on the ingredients used. Traditional Caesar salad dressing is made with ingredients like olive oil, egg yolk, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese, and they might add a bit of carbs to the salad if you're having store-bought sauces or lemon juice. Some store-bought or restaurant versions may include added sugars or other high-carb ingredients. Always check the nutritional information or make the dressing at home to ensure it is low carb.
This recipe has less than 1 g net carbs per serving, and it's a perfect option for anyone following a low carb or keto diet plan. So, try it out and add a depth of flavor to your salad recipes!
Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredient List
Here is the list of ingredients you'll need to make Caesar salad dressing recipe1`:
- 4 cloves roasted garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup MCT oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice, fresh squeeze
Ingredient Substitutions
If you're looking to mix things up or need alternatives, here are some tasty substitutions you can use in place of the original ingredients:
- Olive oil: You can use avocado oil instead of virgin olive oil, but keep in mind that olive oil has a fruitiness and bite that adds to the overall flavor of the dressing. Only substitute if necessary.
- MCT oil: MCT oil is pricey but flavorless, which is hard to find in many oils. If you must, use the same quantity of vegetable oil as a substitute.
- Parmesan cheese: Pecorino Romano cheese is a great alternative. I chose aged Parmesan for this recipe because it has a deep, rich flavor.
- Fresh lemon juice: I've only made this recipe with lemon juice, so I don't have any substitution ideas. Lime juice or vinegar will significantly change the flavor profile.
- Roasted garlic: Fresh garlic can be overpowering, so here are two tips for substituting:
- Use 1 clove of fresh garlic, minced. Keep in mind that freshly grated garlic will intensify as the dressing sits in the fridge.
- Take 2-3 medium garlic cloves of fresh garlic and add them to a pan with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat over medium heat until just bubbling, stirring frequently for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned. This technique makes quick roasted garlic.
- Soy sauce: I use gluten-free soy sauce or Tamari in my recipes. Liquid coconut aminos are delicious but expensive. If you're not gluten-free, you can use 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce instead.
Additional Ingredients
Want to take your Caesar salad dressing to the next level? Here are some delicious additions that pair perfectly with the main ingredients:
- Anchovies: Although I praise this recipe for its absence of anchovies, I do understand the merit of adding them for a richer umami flavor. I keep a tube of extra anchovy paste in my refrigerator for just this occasion. Add about the size of a pencil eraser and mix well. If you love anchovies for anchovy paste, feel free to add more.
- Black Pepper: I like adding about ¼ teaspoon of black pepper when serving this dressing over romaine lettuce. The pepper brings out a more nuanced flavor from the lettuce. Not sure why, but it just tastes better!
Note: These ingredients are optional, you can use it to modify the original Caesar salad dressing recipe.
Tools Required
Here is the list of tools you need to make this homemade dressing:
How To Make Caesar Salad Dressing: Complete Guide
Cooking Method
- No-cook recipe
Preparation Steps
- We are going to start with the roasted garlic and make a paste. Take out a cutting board and place the roasted garlic on it. Use the side of the knife and gently press the roasted garlic into the cutting board, while sliding the knife across the board. You will see that the garlic starts to turn into a paste immediately. Do this same maneuver several times until there are no chunks of roasted garlic remaining. Gather up the paste and add to a mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl. Use a balloon whisk to incorporate the ingredients into a creamy dressing.
- Place the dressing in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve chilled over your choice of hearty greens (like romaine, iceberg or chicory).
Step 1: Place the roasted garlic cloves on a cutting board, preparing to make a paste.
Step 2: Use the side of a knife to press and slide across the roasted garlic, turning it into a smooth paste.
Step 3: Add mayonnaise to a mixing bowl.
Step 4: Pour olive oil into the mixing bowl with the mayonnaise.
Step 5: Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to the mixing bowl with the mayonnaise and olive oil.
Step 6: Use a balloon whisk to mix the mayonnaise, olive oil, and lemon juice until creamy.
Step 7: Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the creamy dressing mixture.
Step 8: Pour the prepared dressing from the mixing bowl into a glass jar for storage.
Step 9: Whisk the dressing once more before serving to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
💡 My Pro Tip
If you find this Italian dressing too oily, try omitting the MCT oil and adding ⅓ cups of sour cream. This will make the dressing thicker, so you can thin it out with a tablespoon or two of water. Many of my cooking school students have requested a version with less oil, and this adjustment works perfectly!
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Make a big batch of roasted garlic and store it in the fridge. This way, you'll always have it ready for various recipes.
- Shred your Parmesan cheese in advance. Use a cheese shredder and store the shredded cheese in an airtight container. This makes it easy to measure out for any recipe.
- Make the dressing ahead of time. This recipe stores well in the fridge, so you can prepare it in advance and have it ready for your meals.
How To Enjoy Caesar Salad Dressing?
This Caesar salad dressing is versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Its creamy, tangy flavor complements many different salads and side dishes. Here are some tasty ideas to get you started with this excellent dressing
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad: Toss with rotisserie chicken and hearty greens for a quick and delicious meal.
- Cauliflower Potato Salad: Make a beautiful salad bowl by adding this delicious dressing with my low carb potato salad.
- Greek Salad: Add some flavor notes to classic Greek salad for a unique blend of wonderful flavors.
- Coleslaw: Combine with shredded cabbage for a creamy coleslaw with a Caesar twist.
- Homemade Croutons: This Caesar salad dressing pairs perfectly with homemade croutons for an extra crunch.
Storage And Freezing Instructions
I make this Caesar salad dressing about once a month, so proper storage is key. Here’s how I do it:
Storage Tips
This delicious dressing lasts about a week to 10 days when stored properly. Follow these tips for proper storage:
- After making the dressing, pour it into a smaller pitcher and cover it with plastic wrap.
- Write the date on the plastic wrap with a permanent marker to keep track of freshness.
- After using, return the leftover dressing to the fridge quickly to prevent spoilage.
Freezing Tips
Cream-style dressings can easily be frozen. Follow these tips to freeze this dressing:
- Place the dressing in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3-4 months.
- Defrost in the fridge overnight and mix well to reincorporate any separated oil. Enjoy!
Recipe Conclusion
At my catering company, we used to make this Caesar salad dressing by the gallon. I’ve taken that commercial recipe and scaled it down for home use, and it’s just as delicious.
Making homemade Caesar salad dressing is incredibly simple, and there's no need to buy bottled dressing again. Store-bought versions often contain hidden sugars, preservatives, and thickeners that might not fit your low carb lifestyle. Plus, my family loves it, making this recipe a win all around the kitchen.
Give this best Caesar salad dressing a try and let me know how you liked it in the comments. Feel free to ask any questions or share your suggestions there. You can also find us on Facebook or Instagram.
FAQs
Typically, it consists of mayonnaise, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and pepper.
Yes, there are several types of Caesar dressing. The most popular in the United States is a creamy version. There is also an oil-based Caesar salad dressing that separates and needs to be shaken before serving.
Typically, yes. This is due to the commonly added ingredient of Worcestershire sauce. If you make your own Caesar Salad dressing, you can use alternate ingredients such as gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
Caesar salad dressing tastes best with Caesar salad.
Caesar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 4 cloves roasted garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup MCT oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice fresh squeeze
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- We are going to start with the roasted garlic and make a paste. Take out a cutting board and place the roasted garlic on it. Use the side of the knife and gently press the roasted garlic into the cutting board, while sliding the knife across the board. You will see that the garlic starts to turn into a paste immediately. Do this same maneuver several times until there are no chunks of roasted garlic remaining. Gather up the paste and add to a mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl. Use a balloon whisk to incorporate the ingredients into a creamy dressing.
- Place the dressing in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve chilled over your choice of hearty greens (like romaine, iceberg or chicory).
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
Recent Low Carb Recipes:
Easy Keto Eggs Benedict Recipe
For years, I thought enjoying eggs Benedict on keto meant skipping the bread—until I perfected my oven-baked keto English muffins. This recipe is simple, delicious, and just like the classic version but with far fewer carbs. Let me show you how to make it at home!
Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce
Got two minutes? That’s all it takes to make my easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce. Perfect for eggs Benedict or drizzling over veggies, salmon, or chicken, this recipe is fast, simple, and delicious. Elevate your meals with this versatile sauce today!
Delicious Keto English Muffins
Looking for a baked keto English muffin recipe that delivers on texture and flavor? My oven-baked English muffins are light, fluffy, and free from that "eggy" taste. They're ideal for breakfast sandwiches or as a base for your favorite toppings.
Is it low carb? Learn more about it:
Understanding Carbs In Guacamole: Low Carb or Keto?
Delve into the world of guacamole and its carb content—essential knowledge for low carb and keto enthusiasts. Avocado's creamy texture
What is Low Carb Diet? Carb Confusion Conquered!
Ever wondered what a Low Carb Diet really entails? I’ve broken down the basics to help you understand how reducing
Low Carb Diet for Weight Loss: Does It Actually Work?
Many studies suggest that a low carb diet can indeed be effective for weight loss. By restricting carbohydrates, the body
2 Responses
I eat a Caesar salad almost every day...boring? Yes, but I love them and don't have to deal with all the carbs that are in normal lunches. Dressing sounds wonderful and will try it when I purchase some avocado mayonnaise. Thanks for all these wonderful recipes 🙂
Hi Ramona: Thanks for the note- I love Caesar salad too!! If you’re keto or avoiding sugar… watch out for the mayo these days. They are adding more sugar than before. Let me know how the dressing turns out! Take care and have a great day! Scott