Although many store-bought Caesar dressings contain dairy, you can find alternatives that are suitable for your dietary needs. You can also make your own dairy-free Caesar dressing at home.
The primary ingredients in a traditional Caesar dressing are Dijon mustard, egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and black pepper. Some recipes may also include anchovies.
Eggs
A coddled egg provides the creamy texture of this caesar salad dressing recipe. Eggs have lecithin which helps to emulsify the oils and water in the other salad dressing ingredients, resulting in a thick creamy consistency. You can skip this step if you’re avoiding raw eggs, however this will result in a thinner and less creamy caesar dressing.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds the tangy, salty flavor of this classic salad dressing. It also helps to bind all the other ingredients together without making the dressing runny. Olive Oil is the salad dressing MVP and provides monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, plus it adds delicious nutty and grassy flavor to this salad dressing. Lemon Juice adds acidity, brightening the overall flavor of this recipe. Anchovy Paste provides the undeniably irresistible umami flavor of this dressing. You can use sardines or a vegetarian anchovy paste for the same effect.
Traditionally, this salad dressing calls for raw egg yolks for its richness and to emulsify the ingredients. While it isn’t necessary to have a delicious Caesar salad, this is one of the few recipes where it makes an incredible difference. If you’re avoiding raw eggs for whatever reason, simply replace the egg with a tablespoon of high-quality mayonnaise. This will still make a very tasty, traditional Caesar salad dressing.
This is a classic caesar salad recipe, featuring Romaine lettuce, traditional dressing and Parmesan cheese topped with crispy croutons. The croutons are baked instead of fried to make them light and crunchy. The addition of oven-crisped capers provides a burst of salty-crisp flavor. Lastly, the dressing is seasoned with freshly ground black pepper to finish it off.
Parmesan Cheese
Typically made with parmesan cheese, this ingredient adds a nice crunch and creaminess to the dressing. It also works as an emulsifier and helps bind the other ingredients together. Parmesan is high in calcium, which is a great source of nutrients for our bodies. However, if you are lactose intolerant or have another dietary restriction, there are alternative options for a creamy Caesar dressing.
Anchovy paste is another key component of the classic Caesar salad, adding a rich umami flavor. It’s important to use a good quality anchovy paste as it can be quite salty. Thankfully, many store-bought Caesar dressings are now available without anchovies or eggs, making them suitable for people who avoid these foods.
Egg yolks are used as an emulsifier in traditional Caesar salad dressing, helping to hold the other ingredients together. This ingredient is not suitable for those who are allergic to or avoid raw eggs, though there are safe alternatives that can be substituted in place of the egg yolk.
Another key ingredient in a traditional Caesar salad is lemon juice, which provides acidity and brightens the flavors of the other ingredients. A little lemon juice goes a long way here, so only a couple of teaspoons is needed.
Many people who are dairy-free or follow a vegan diet may still be wondering whether Caesar dressing contains dairy. While most store-bought options contain Parmesan cheese or another form of dairy, there are now a number of plant-based alternatives that offer a similar texture and delicious flavour. Some of these alternatives also use tahini and other healthy oils as base ingredients, which can be an excellent option for those who are lactose intolerant or have other dietary restrictions.
Olive Oil
The star of this recipe is high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). This versatile salad dressing MVP packs in healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Unlike refined canola or vegetable oils, which have been deodorized and heated to remove their flavor, EVOO has an earthy, peppery aroma that mimics the smell of fat in the brain, potentially boosting satiation and reducing hunger.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is another essential component of this classic dressing, providing a rich and savory saltiness to the dish. If you can’t eat anchovies, this recipe can be made anchovy-free with capers or Worcestershire sauce.
Garlic is another classic addition to Caesar salad dressing, adding a savory punch of umami. Mince a clove or two by hand or in a food processor for the best results. Lemon juice helps to brighten the flavors of this recipe and also provides a little acidity. Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce round out the savory, tangy components of this dressing. Salt and freshly ground black pepper are the finishing touches.
While there are many variations on this classic recipe, we’ve found that the combination of egg yolks, mustard, and two types of oil create the most delicious, creamy dressing. This recipe is easy to make and will please any Caesar salad aficionado.
While this classic Caesar dressing is traditionally served on romaine lettuce, it also tastes amazing over greens like kale, Brussels sprout leaves, rainbow chard, and Belgian endive. Try drizzling it over grilled chicken or shrimp to make a hearty entree salad or serve it as a side to accompany a simple protein-packed meal like baked salmon or chicken tenders. It’s even great for dipping bread!
Dijon Mustard
A key ingredient in this recipe, dijon mustard helps emulsify the oil and cheese to make the dressing creamy. It also adds its own unique flavor and tang to the dish. You can substitute dijon mustard with whole grain mustard, spicy brown mustard or a combination of yellow and white mustards.
In addition to emulsifying the ingredients, egg yolk also adds its own distinctive flavor to the salad. A good quality raw egg should have plenty of natural lecithin, an emulsifier that helps bind the oils in the dressing together. If you’re avoiding eggs, you can try using mayonnaise as a replacement in the recipe, but it will not yield as smooth of a result.
Olive oil is another key ingredient that helps make the dressing creamy and lends its own distinctive savory flavor. Use a high quality extra virgin olive oil for best results. It will hold up better in the heat than regular olive oil and doesn’t burn easily at higher temperatures, which is important for this salad dressing recipe.
Freshly ground black pepper is an essential part of this recipe and helps elevate the flavors. Use a generous amount for the best results. Salt is not essential but it can be added for flavor. A pinch of kosher salt works well in this recipe as it has a larger granule size than typical table salt and is easier to measure.
Finally, Worcestershire sauce offers loads of that elusive umami flavor that gives this salad dressing its classic taste. Without it, the dressing just isn’t complete.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce is a popular fermented vinegar-based liquid condiment made with anchovies, tamarind or extract, molasses, and other ingredients. The sauce is used to add savory flavor to foods, much in the same way as fish sauce and soy sauce are. The sauce has a deep red hue and is sold in bottles with a distinctive label that features an image of the city of Worcestershire in England’s Midland region.
The original sauce from Lea & Perrins is made with anchovies, which are soaked in distilled spirits before being ground into a paste and mixed with other ingredients. The result is a rich umami sauce that is used to add savory flavor to meats, sauces, and cocktails. It is also widely used in many other recipes. The sauce is sold in the United States under a variety of names and can be found in many restaurants, homes, and supermarkets.
Many store-bought Worcestershire sauces contain gluten, which can be an issue for those who are following a gluten free diet. The sauce can contain ingredients derived from wheat, barley, or rye. The best Worcestershire sauces are made with a limited number of ingredients and do not contain any gluten-containing ingredients.
Homemade Worcestershire sauce is surprisingly easy to make and can be done without any special equipment. The ingredients can be found in the pantry of most kitchens, and are relatively inexpensive compared to buying the commercial product. The homemade version is also healthier, since it does not contain any processed additives or added sugars. The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two years, and can be used just like the commercially available sauce.
