Homemade Caesar Dressing

Ingredients you’ll need

🥄 Mayonnaise – Adds richness and body to the dressing. Use your favorite full-fat mayo for the best flavor and texture.
🍶 Sour cream – Lightens the mayo and helps balance the richness, plus it gives the dressing a subtle tang.
🧀 Grated Parmesan cheese – Adds salty, nutty flavor. Freshly grated cheese works best, but pre-grated can be used in a pinch.
🍋 Lemon juice – Brightens the dressing and adds acidity. Freshly squeezed is ideal if you have it.
🫒 Olive oil – Helps emulsify the dressing and adds a smooth finish. Mild-tasting olive oil blends best with the other flavors.
🫙 Dijon mustard – Adds a little sharpness and contributes to the signature off-white color of this classic dressing.
🥣 Worcestershire sauce – Brings a savory depth that mimics the classic anchovy flavor without needing anchovy paste.
🧄 Garlic – Just one small clove (or garlic powder, if that’s what you have) adds a nice punch of flavor.
🧂 Salt and black pepper – Season to taste. A little goes a long way here, especially since Parmesan is salty.

📖See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.

How to make homemade Caesar dressing

1. Whisk: In a bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.

2. Drizzle: Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing.

3. Blend: Use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom to ensure everything is evenly combined. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Mix well until fully combined.

4. Chill: It’s best to chill in the fridge for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors combine, but you can serve it right away if needed. Stir well before each use. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Serving suggestions

Here, we feature it the classic way, romaine lettuce tossed with a generous drizzle of Caesar dressing, croutons, bacon bits, and grated Parmesan. On the side, we’ve added extra dressing for serving and crusty bread with butter—so tasty!

Other ways to enjoy this dressing:
• Use it as a dip for veggies, chicken tenders, or fries.
• Make a chicken Caesar wrap or sandwich with grilled chicken.
• Stir it into chicken salad or tuna salad for a flavorful twist.
• Spread it on burgers or sandwiches as an alternative to mayo.

Substitutions and variations

Skip the anchovies completely – Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies, so if you're avoiding them entirely, use an equal amount of soy sauce instead. It offers a similar umami flavor without the fish.

Use lighter ingredients – Light mayonnaise and light sour cream are good substitutes if you want to cut back on fat. The dressing will still be creamy, just a bit less rich.

Swap the Parmesan – If you don’t have grated Parmesan, Pecorino Romano (sharper and saltier) or Grana Padano (milder) are good alternatives.

No lemon juice? – White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used in a pinch. Start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste. Since vinegar is more acidic than lemon juice and lacks its natural sweetness, adding a tiny pinch of sugar (about ⅛ teaspoon) can help balance the flavor.

Use garlic powder – If you don’t have fresh garlic, ½ teaspoon garlic powder works well for a milder, more mellow flavor.

Storing instructions

Store Caesar dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir well before each use. This dressing is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’t freeze well, as the texture may separate when thawed.

For more information on food storage and safety guidelines visit U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.

Sauces and dressings don’t always get the spotlight, but they’re often what make a dish memorable. This homemade Caesar dressing is one of those behind-the-scenes players that adds big flavor in a simple, familiar way. Whether you’re tossing it with crisp romaine or using it as a dip or sandwich spread, it brings just the right touch.

If you’re into flavorful extras, check out our tangy cilantro garlic sauce, bright citrus dressing, and herby chimichurri sauce. These versatile sauces bring bold flavor to a variety of meals—because sometimes it’s the simplest finishing touch that makes all the difference.