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+ servings
Caesar salad with homemade dressing, croutons, and fresh Parmesan

Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

Rich, garlicky, and deeply savory with real anchovies, fresh lemon, and Parmesan. Restaurant-quality Caesar dressing in 10 minutes that elevates every salad it touches.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 110

Ingredients
  

  • 4-5 anchovy fillets packed in oil or 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup high-quality mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Place anchovy fillets and minced garlic on a cutting board. Use the flat side of your knife to mash and work them together into a completely smooth paste. This step creates the characteristic depth of great Caesar dressing.
  2. Transfer the anchovy-garlic paste to a mixing bowl. Add lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk together until well combined.
  3. Whisk in the mayonnaise until completely smooth. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly to create a smooth emulsified dressing.
  4. Fold in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to develop. Keeps up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 280mgPotassium: 45mg

Notes

Do not skip the anchovies — they dissolve completely and provide the characteristic savory depth without any fishy taste. Use freshly grated Parmesan from a block. Substitute finely mashed capers plus a dash of soy sauce for an anchovy-free version.

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