Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies
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Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies combines mayo, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, fresh garlic, lemon, and freshly shredded parmesan cheese. While this dressing doesn’t use actual anchovies or anchovy paste, most brands of Worcestershire Sauce contain fish.
Caesar Salad Dressing
Once again, a meal out inspired this recipe and left me wondering why I don’t ever make Caesar salads at home. While I’m not afraid of using anchovy paste (or fish sauce) in recipes, it can be difficult to find in grocery stores. So instead of ordering it elsewhere, I decided to make it without.
While this is NOT authentic Caesar dressing, it is way better than store-bought dressing in my opinion. If you are a fan of anchovies, feel free to use them in place of Worcestershire sauce.
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE – Just eight simple ingredients to make a VERY flavorful dressing. I keep all of these ingredients regularly stocked in my kitchen.
- HEALTHIER THAN STORE-BOUGHT – Making your own dressings is a good thing because you can control what’s in them.
- NO ANCHOVIES – While this Caesar dressing doesn’t contain the fishy taste of whole anchovies or anchovy paste, it does use Worcestershire Sauce which contains a small percentage of anchovies. NOTE: you CAN find types of Worcestershire that exclude it if preferred.
- NO RAW EGGS – The classic Caesar dressing recipe typically includes raw egg yolks. The eggs serve as an emulsifier, helping to bind the dressing together and create a creamy consistency. However, it’s worth noting that consuming raw eggs carries a small risk of foodborne illness, particularly from Salmonella bacteria. (If you have concerns about consuming raw eggs, you can use pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg products as a safer alternative.) Another option is to use a cooked egg yolk or a mayonnaise base as a substitute for the raw eggs.
- CREAMY DRESSING – The mayonnaise and Dijon mustard help to make this a creamy Caesar salad dressing without the addition of raw eggs.
Ingredients needed to make Caesar Salad Dressing:
Below is the full list of basic ingredients needed to make this simple homemade Caesar salad dressing.
- Mayonnaise – The mayonnaise base is crucial to a good Caesar salad.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Or use vegetable oil.
- Lemon Juice – From fresh lemons, always.
- Dijon Mustard – Helps to make the dressing creamy.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic Clove
- Fresh Parmesan cheese – Use a box grater to freshly shred a block of parmigiano reggiano.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
How to make the BEST Caesar Salad Dressing (without Anchovies):
Step 1
Gather ingredients. Measure all ingredients for salad dressing.
Step 2
Add ingredients to a food processor. To the food processor (or blender), add the ingredients – mayo, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, fresh lemon juice, garlic, parmesan cheese, and salt & pepper.
Step 3
Process. Start the food processor and blend until everything is well combined, about 30 seconds or more. Then add a bit of cold water to thin the delicious dressing to your desired consistency.
Step 4
Store. Pour the Caesar dressing into a mason jar or small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use in salads.
Step 5
Serve. Drizzle the homemade dressing over your favorite salad. Try our:
- Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad – A mixture of lettuce greens, tomatoes, red onion, grilled chicken, bacon, parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, and Caesar dressing.
- Simple Caesar Salad – A simple combo of crisp romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, shaved parmesan cheese, homemade or store-bought croutons, and Caesar dressing.
Recipe Variations:
- Try using a different ratio of mayo and olive oil in this Caesar dressing.
- Instead of lemon juice, try using apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- Use a different type of oil instead of olive oil.
Recipe FAQs:
Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a common ingredient in Caesar dressing and can provide a similar depth of flavor as anchovies. It contains anchovies as one of its ingredients, but the flavor is more subtle when used in smaller amounts.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is another ingredient that can enhance the umami flavor of Caesar dressing. It won’t provide the same fishy taste as anchovies, but it can add a depth of flavor to the dressing.
Miso Paste: Miso paste, particularly white or light-colored miso, can be used as a substitute for anchovies. It adds a savory umami flavor to the dressing. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
Capers: Capers are often used as a replacement for anchovies in some Caesar dressing recipes. They offer a briny and tangy flavor that can mimic the salty and savory notes provided by anchovies.
The traditional Caesar dressing recipe, believed to be created by Caesar Cardini in the 1920s, includes anchovies as one of its key ingredients. Anchovies provide a rich umami flavor to the dressing and contribute to its distinctive taste. However, if you prefer to make a version of Caesar dressing without anchovies, you can use one of the substitute options I mentioned earlier.
Both raw anchovies and anchovy paste can be used to achieve the classic Caesar dressing flavor. The choice between the two depends on personal preference, convenience, and availability. Anchovy paste is often favored for its ease of use, while raw anchovies may be preferred by those seeking a more authentic or intense flavor.
Other Homemade Salad Dressings to try:
- Grinder Salad Dressing
- Dill Pickle Ranch Dressing
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Honey Lemon Dressing
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayo with olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic
- 1-2 Tablespoons lemon juice – freshly squeezed
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- water – if needed to thin
Instructions
- Gather ingredients. Measure all ingredients for salad dressing.
- Add ingredients to a food processor. To the food processor (or blender), add the ingredients – mayo, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, fresh lemon juice, garlic, parmesan cheese, and salt & pepper.
- Process. Start the food processor and blend until everything is well combined, about 30 seconds or more. Then add the cold water to thin the delicious dressing to your desired consistency.
- Store. Pour the Caesar dressing into a mason jar or small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use in salads.
- Serve. Drizzle the homemade dressing over your favorite salad.
Notes
- Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad – A mixture of lettuce greens, tomatoes, red onion, grilled chicken, bacon, parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, and Caesar dressing.
- Simple Caesar Salad – A simple combo of crisp romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, shaved parmesan cheese, homemade or store-bought croutons, and Caesar dressing.
This is delish. I used regular mayo and added anchovies. Yummy!!
Sounds delicious, Diane!
This is the real deal and only 8 ingredients! Giddy up!