A Great Caesar Salad Dressing

A Great Caesar Salad Dressing

1 cup (10 tablespoons)
You can make this homemade Caesar dressing recipe by hand, in a blender, a food processor, or an immersion blender. Directions for all methods are below. I particularly love the texture you achieve when making it by hand (you see little bits of garlic and anchovy in the dressing).

Ingredients

  • garlic cloves
    2 medium
  • anchovies packed in oil

    depending on taste

    3
  • egg yolk
    1 large
  • fresh lemon juice
    2 tbsp
  • dijon mustard
    1 tsp
  • oil

    like fruity olive oil, avocado oil, or safflower oil, plus more as needed

    ⅓ c
  • grated parmesan cheese
    ¼ c
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions

How to make by hand

  1. 1

    Use a chef’s knife to mince the garlic and anchovies finely. Using the side of the knife, mash them into a paste by pushing and pulling the mound of anchovies and garlic across the cutting board (see video). Set aside.

  2. 2

    Whisk the egg yolk, lemon juice, and mustard in a medium bowl until frothy. Placing a dishcloth underneath the bowl helps to steady it as you whisk.

  3. 3

    Get into a comfortable whisking position, and while you whisk with one hand, slowly stream the oil into the bowl with the other hand. You are looking to add the oil in tiny drips and will notice that as you whisk in the oil, the mixture in the bowl will start to lighten in color and thicken.

  4. 4

    When all of the oil is added, check the consistency. If it’s too thick, whisk in a teaspoon or so of water. If it’s too thin, continue to whisk and stream in a bit more oil.

  5. 5

    Finish by whisking in the mashed anchovies, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Then, taste and generously season with salt and pepper.

Make with a blender or food processor

  1. 1

    Combine anchovies, garlic, egg yolk, lemon juice, mustard, and parmesan cheese in the bottom of a blender or food processor bowl. When using a food processor, if you have a small bowl attachment for your food processor, use it.

  2. 2

    With the blender or processor running, slowly drizzle in the oil until a smooth dressing forms. If it seems too thick after adding all of the oil, add a teaspoon or so of water to thin it out. If it is too thin, slowly drizzle in a bit more oil with the machine on. Taste and generously season with salt and pepper.

Make with an immersion blender

  1. 1

    Combine all the ingredients at the bottom of a cup that fits the head of an immersion blender. Blend, slowly pulling the blender up and then back down again to incorporate all the ingredients into the oil.

  2. 2

    If after adding all of the oil, it seems too thick, add a teaspoon or so of water to thin it out. If it is too thin, with the machine on, slowly drizzle in a bit more oil. Taste and generously season with salt and pepper.

A Great Caesar Salad Dressing

A Great Caesar Salad Dressing

10 min1 cup (10 tablespoons)78 cal

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About this Recipe

Tired of lackluster store-bought options? This homemade Caesar dressing recipe promises to elevate your salads with fresh, vibrant flavor that's surprisingly easy to achieve in just 10 minutes.

What truly sets this Caesar dressing apart is its incredible versatility in preparation. Whether you prefer the control of whisking by hand, or the convenience of a blender, food processor, or immersion blender, this recipe adapts seamlessly. For a truly authentic experience, making it by hand allows for a unique, robust texture where you'll actually see delightful little bits of garlic and anchovy throughout the dressing, delivering a more nuanced and satisfying bite than perfectly smooth versions.

You can expect a rich, creamy, and wonderfully balanced dressing that sings with bright notes of fresh lemon, the pungent kick of garlic, and a deep, savory umami from the anchovies. Despite its complex layers of flavor, it's remarkably quick to whip up, ready to dress your favorite greens in a mere 10 minutes. Each batch yields about 0.66 cup, providing enough to generously coat a hearty salad.

Personalize your Caesar dressing by adjusting the quantity of anchovies to perfectly suit your taste preference. For the oil, you have excellent options: try fruity olive oil for a classic Mediterranean touch, avocado oil for a neutral, healthy fat, or safflower oil for a light body. Don't have one specific type? Feel free to use what's readily available in your pantry, as each will lend a slightly different character.

This versatile dressing is not just for a classic Caesar; it's also excellent as a flavorful dip for fresh vegetables or a punchy accompaniment to grilled chicken or fish.

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