Our simple, Homemade Caesar Salad Recipe is a snap to throw together and tastes so much better than using store-bought dressings! Once you make this at home and skip the salad kit, you’ll never go back. Plus, you can use the homemade Caesar dressing in so many different recipes!
Homemade Caesar Salad Recipe
Caesar Dressing has been my favorite of all salad dressings for a really long time. Especially creamy caesar. It is delicious and savory and is always the salad dressing I pick.
I have struggled to find a great store-bought Caesar that isn’t full of preservatives for a while. There are a few decent options out there (hint, they are usually in the refrigerated section), but once I tried whipping up a batch of this myself there was really no comparison.
Fresh homemade Caesar dressing is something that should definitely be in your wheelhouse, so keep a few tins of anchovies around for a rainy day and whip up a batch of the best Caesar dressing, maybe ever.
The best Caesar salad comes from the best ingredients, so if you want to serve up your guests something amazing, make sure that you are paying attention to the quality and freshness of all of your base ingredients.
Buy actual heads of lettuce, for instance. They’ll be much fresher, in general, than the pre-cut and washed stuff you can get in a bag.
You can also make your own croutons. It is simple and they taste amazing.
Want a lighter version? Try our Caesar Vinaigrette!
Try it in our Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe!
Homemade Caesar Salad Recipe Shopping List
To make a great creamy Caesar salad, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Garlic – Use fresh garlic! None of that jarred or refrigerated stuff!
- Anchovies – Anchovy paste is okay if that’s what you have on hand.
- Mayo – This is the base for the whole thing, so get the good stuff.
- Pepper – Freshly cracked really DOES make a difference with pepper.
- Lemon – No squeeze-bottle lemon juice please! Use a fresh lemon!
- Worcestershire – Not optional. Adds a savory element to the dressing.
- Parmesan cheese – No stuff in the green can you guys. Use freshly grated Reggiano if you are able.
- Country-style dijon – Pass the Gray Poupon, or use your favorite fancy Dijon if you have the good stuff!
- Lettuce – Romaine is the way! I like using Romaine hearts.
- Shaved Parmesan – Use Parmigiano Reggiano for the best results.
- Croutons – Make your own homemade croutons for extra clout.
Try with our Blackened Shrimp Caesar Wrap!
How to make a Caesar Salad from scratch
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Mix: Whisk the dressing ingredients together and put into the fridge.
- Blend: Blend the dressing in a bullet blender or with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Chill: Let the dressing chill for 3-4 hours for the best results.
- Toss: Roughly chop your lettuce and toss with some of the chilled dressing.
- Enjoy: Top with your freshly shaved parm and croutons and serve promptly.
Try our Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad!
Homemade Caesar Salad Recipe FAQ
Can you reduce the calories of Caesar dressing?
If you’d like to reduce the calorie count a bit on your homemade Caesar dressing, there’s a few easy changes you can make.
- Substitute Light mayo for the regular mayo
- Substitute milk for the half-and-half
Creamy Caesar is never going to be LOW calorie, but you can shave a few off the top using those easy swaps that won’t impact the flavor or consistency too much.
Can this recipe be made in advance?
Yes! I will often whip up a batch of this Caesar dressing and keep it in a mason jar in the fridge. That way I can have a quick homemade Caesar for lunch anytime during the week.
How long does Caesar dressing keep in the fridge?
There are no preservatives in this dressing, and it has anchovies in it, so I wouldn’t keep it more than 3-4 days in the fridge.
Try our Greek Freak Dressing!
Serve this with…
- Bison Bolognese is a hearty spaghetti and meat sauce that is the perfect match for a Caesar salad.
- These easy Shrimp Kabobs would be perfect on top of a giant Caesar salad.
- The impressive and large Reverse Seared Tomahawk Ribeye would also be a really wonderful main course to serve along side a crisp homemade Caesar.
Caesar Salad Recipe
This homemade creamy caesar salad dressing is savory, delicious, and one of my favorite homemade dressings! Mix some a homemade Caesar salad for the best salad ever!
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
- 3 anchovy filets
- 1 clove roasted garlic*
- 1 cup mayo
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 half and half
- 1/2 grated Parmesano reggiano
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley
Salad
- 3 hearts of Romaine
- 1/2 cup freshly shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1 cup croutons
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small blender cup. Pulse until combined.
- Chill for at least 3 hours.
- Toss with your chopped Romaine and top with shaved parmesan and croutons.
Notes
* You can use raw garlic if you'd prefer, but I love the flavor that roasted garlic gives the dressing!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 172Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 268mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.
Ron
Tuesday 23rd of August 2022
Oh, I HAVE to make this caesar dressing! Usually buy the refrigerator section variety. What to you think the refrigerator life would be for a batch? I’m thinking the first expiration date on the ingredients or 2 weeks, whichever comes first. Interested in your thoughts and thank you SO much for these fabulous recipes! Don’t forget the Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan on your salmon.