The Caesar dressing is a creamy and rich condiment, perfect for salads of all kinds. With its delightful combination of flavors, it has become a must-have in the kitchen.
Caesar dressing was created in 1924 by Italian-American chef Cesare Cardini in Tijuana, Mexico. During a lean period in the kitchen, he used the remaining ingredients in the refrigerator to prepare a delicious lettuce-based salad known today as Caesar Salad.
Today I’ll provide you with the original step-by-step recipe to prepare this iconic dressing directly at home.
If you like salad dressings, don’t forget to check out the recipe
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: International
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 297.73 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 8.89 (g) of which sugars 0.44 (g)
- Proteins 5.96 (g)
- Fat 27.65 (g) of which saturated 5.36 (g)of which unsaturated 1.08 (g)
- Fibers 1.07 (g)
- Sodium 65.93 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 75 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for 2 People
- 5 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 fillets anchovy
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Tools
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Spatula
Procedure
With this recipe, I guarantee you’ll achieve a perfect Caesar dressing, rich in flavor and easily customizable to your tastes.
First, crush the anchovy fillets with the finely chopped garlic until they are almost like a paste.
Place the mayonnaise, anchovy paste, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Gently mix until you get a creamy consistency.
To make the Caesar dressing lighter or vegetarian, you can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or tofu-based vegan mayonnaise.
Now that the dressing is ready, add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix again to combine all the ingredients.
For a stronger note, you can replace the Parmesan with Tuscan pecorino cheese.
If you want a vegan Caesar dressing, skip this step and replace the mayonnaise with 3.5 oz of unsweetened low-fat yogurt.
After completing the Caesar dressing, let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Your Caesar dressing is ready!
Plating Tips:
Remember to mix it well before using, to ensure the perfect union of the ingredients and maximum flavor.
Wine Pairing:
The ideal pairing to enjoy Caesar dressing is with a fresh and fruity white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay. These wines pair perfectly with the intense flavors of the dressing and add a touch of freshness to your salad.

