Healthy Caesar Dressing

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This simple homemade Paleo and Whole30 Caesar Dressing will make all your salad dreams come true! It’s dairy free, low carb, and very easy to make, with one special ingredient that really takes it over the top!

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A small mason jar filled with creamy caesar dressing, sprinkled with black pepper.

Healthy Caesar Dressing Recipe

If you’re making Caesar salad, you’ve got to make the best Caesar dressing to go with it! This homemade caesar dressing recipe is tangy, flavorful and absolutely delicious. Plus, it’s Whole30 approved and complete dairy free.

Now you might be wondering, is traditional Caesar salad dressing Whole30 compliant or compatible? Almost always, no!

There’s usually at least one or two ingredients in most homemade caesar salad dressing recipes and store bought brands that make it non-Whole30 compatible.

You may be able to grab a Whole30 compatible salad dressing at the grocery store, but when you make it yourself you get total control over the recipe ingredients. That way, you can check that the simple ingredients fit into your diet restrictions.

So what’s the secret to authentic Caesar dressing that is still healthy? Anchovies! I know, I know…a lot of people are turned off by anchovies. But it’s actually an ingredient in most caesar dressing recipes for this salad dressing. Typically it will use the anchovies directly or at least in the form of Worcestershire sauce.

If it helps to put your mind at ease, I promise this recipe is not fishy at all. The anchovy flavor is very subtle and instead just creates that classic and distinct flavor that a good caesar dressing should have! This homemade caesar dressing recipe is just perfect!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy caesar dressing only takes a few minutes to make and doesn’t have an unsavory briny flavor that some store-bought caesar dressing can have.
Dairy free caesar dressing is whole30 and paleo friendly, making it a great salad dressing option for many different dietary needs.
You can make this dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until needed. Perfect for meal prep!

Ingredients

Ready to make the most incredible classic caesar salad dressing? You’ll need:

mayonnaise
anchovies
fresh garlic
fresh lemon juice
nutritional yeast
dijon mustard
coconut aminos
apple cider vinegar
salt and black pepper

Substitutions and Variations

Mayonnaise: If you are on a Whole 30 diet, then use a mayonnaise base like this whole30 compatible mayo brand, or you can easily make your own homemade mayonnaise!

Anchovies: If you don’t want to open a whole can of anchovies, you can buy anchovy paste. It’s a little more palatable since you don’t have to see the actual anchovies. Alternatively, you can use fish sauce in place of anchovies. Another option is Worcestershire sauce, but if you are following Whole30 it could be difficult to find one that is compatible.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar will have the best flavor, but you can swap it out with a different vinegar option that you have on hand.

Coconut Aminos: Low sodium soy sauce is a good 1:1 substitute for coconut aminos. If you use regular soy sauce, you may need to reduce the amount used. To keep this dressing Whole30 compliant, make sure to use coconut aminos.

Nutritional Yeast: To keep this dressing Whole30 compliant, nutritional yeast is used to make it creamy. But if you’re not exclusively Whole30, make an extra creamy dressing by mixing sour cream or Greek yogurt into this traditional caesar dressing recipe. You can also add a cheesy touch with some pre-grated parmesan cheese!

Collage of a mason jar filled with caesar dressing and a spoon dipping the dressing.

How to Make Homemade Caesar Dressing

There are two ways to make caesar dressing: with an immersion blender or by hand with a whisk. These are the best ways, so either will work perfectly. It’s just a matter of your preference and what kitchen equipment you have on hand.

Here are instructions on how to turn classic ingredients into the best caesar salad dressing:

Immersion Blender Instructions:

If you have an immersion blender, then peel the garlic, juice the lemon, and add everything to a medium bowl or large measuring cup.

Blend on a low setting until all of the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and the homemade caesar dressing is smooth.

Whisk Instructions:

Peel the garlic, then mince it finely into a paste. You can also use pre-minced garlic if you prefer. Mince the whole anchovies and juice the lemon.

Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl, and use a whisk to mix it all together until it’s smooth. If there are chunks left that you don’t like, feel free to pour the mixture into a food processor and pulse until smooth.

Romaine lettuce drizzled with caesar dressing.

How to Store Healthy Homemade Caesar Dressing

Transfer any leftover caesar dressing to a glass airtight container. A mason jar would be a great storage container. Then store in the refrigerator and use leftover traditional caesar salad dressing within 4-5 days.

How to Use Healthy Caesar Dressing

Healthy caesar dressing is a great way to get healthy fat in chicken caesar salad and other salad recipes.

Toss the dressing with crisp romaine lettuce, boiled eggs, grilled chicken, bacon, crunchy croutons, and roasted tomatoes to make a fantastic Caesar salad. Then a little added drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil on your salads!

You can also bring this classic caesar flavor to wraps, sandwiches, and more with a bit of this classic caesar dressing!

Tips for Success

Store this homemade caesar dressing in a reusable dressing dispenser to both dispense in a steady stream and maintain fresh flavor.
Make sure to give leftovers of this best caesar dressing a good shake before using them on your next salad!
Double or triple this recipe if you are making large salads for a crowd. They’ll appreciate the classic flavor of homemade caesar dressing.

A large gray bowl is filled with lettuce, boiled eggs, bacon, grilled chicken breast and caesar dressing.

FAQ

Is caesar dressing healthy for you?

Most store-bought dressings and traditional caesar dressings are not very healthy. However, this recipe uses many healthier ingredients making it a more dietary friendly option! This recipe is a more balanced and healthy approach to a classic caesar dressing.

What is a good substitute for salad dressing?

If you’ve stumbled upon this blog and don’t have all of the ingredients you need to make this dressing, don’t fret. You can still have a delicious salad! Just drizzle a little olive oil and vinegar over your salad and then add some herbs, salt, and pepper. The result will be a simple salad that is still packed full of flavor.