This homemade Caesar Dressing recipe has all the richness and flavor you’ve come to expect, but it’s healthy and easy to make too! Toss it (generously) with buttery croutons, crisp romaine and salty Parmesan cheese for a delicious, lightened-up Caesar salad that you can enjoy without guilt.
Email Me the Recipe!
From time to time, we'll send you the best of Well Plated. Already registered? Log in here.
While I adore traditional Caesar dressing’s garlicky flavor and decadent texture, I often shy away from ordering Caesar salads when I’m out or purchasing Caesar dressing at the grocery store.
Most are overloaded with heavy, processed ingredients, which practically negate the positive effects of ordering a salad in the first place.
Sold on the idea that I can enjoy Caesar salad AND earn my salad bonus points, I decided to create a homemade healthy Caesar dressing recipe.
5 Star Review
“Love love LOVE this recipe! We make it just about once a week for kale caesar salads. Thank you!”
— Samantha —
About Caesar Salad Dressing
First, for the sake of comparison, let’s talk about what’s in classic Caesar dressings.
Standard recipes typically contain some combination of the following ingredients, which are emulsified together to achieve a thick, creamy consistency.
- Olive Oil
- Anchovies
- Garlic
- Parmesan Cheese
- Egg Yolk
Caesar Dressing Nutrition 101
If you’re wondering if classic Caesar dressing is healthy, the answer is: not usually.
- Made with heavy ingredients, like egg yolks, cheese, and oil, traditional Caesar dressings (even homemade) can be high in fat and calories.
- Store-bought Caesar dressings are often loaded with processed ingredients and even added sugars, which don’t do you any favors.
- Most short-cut dressings call for mayonnaise, which can also contain hidden processed ingredients and added sugars. No thanks!
About this Healthy Caesar Dressing
Unlike traditional Caesar dressing, my healthy Caesar dressing is made with lighter, nutrient-packed ingredients with the following benefits:
- Greek yogurt offers calcium, vitamins, protein, and probiotics.
- Olive oil, garlic, and anchovy paste provide omega-3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatory properties, protein, antioxidants, and numerous vitamins and minerals (again, you CANNOT taste the anchovy!).
- Drizzle or drench. With just over 100 calories per serving and 10g of fat, you can indulge as little or as much as you want with this Caesar dressing.
How to Make Caesar Dressing
If you’re frequently craving Caesar salad too, you may be wondering, “what is the best Caesar salad dressing?” Well, I believe it’s this one!
It’s healthier than classic homemade Caesar dressing, has full-on Caesar flavor, and it’s easy to make too.
Don’t believe the reviews!
The Ingredients
- Greek Yogurt. My secret ingredient that makes this recipe creamy. I used non-fat plain Greek yogurt to keep this dressing light and make it a Caesar dressing without mayo or raw eggs. Also the creamy base for Green Goddess Salad Dressing.
- Parmesan Cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a key component for the most perfectly salty and nutty Caesar dressing.
- Olive Oil. A salad dressing MVP. Plus, olive oil is packed with monounsaturated oleic acid, antioxidants, and nutrients that help fight inflammation.
- Lemon Juice. For a little acidity and brightness.
- Anchovy Paste. Before you ask: yes, Caesar dressing, including this one includes anchovies. Anchovy fillets (or anchovy paste—either will work) give the dressing its captivating, savory quality and provide essential saltiness.
- Dijon Mustard. Adds delicious zip to the dressing.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic completes our tasty dressing.
The Directions
- Place all ingredients in a blender, and puree until smooth. ENJOY!
Yes, it really is that easy!
Ways to use this Caesar dressing
- As Salad Dressing. Serve this dressing on a bed of romaine lettuce and croutons, or use it on Caesar Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Chickpea Croutons, Cobb Salad, or Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
- On a Wrap. Use it to flavor this Chicken Caesar Wrap.
- As a Dip. Dip it with veggies (or fries) like these Crispy Baked Fries, Parmesan Parsnip Fries, or Zucchini Fries.
- As a Marinade. Let chicken marinade in this homemade dressing, so it becomes incredibly tender and moist. You could also add some over the top of this Baked Salmon in Foil, then bake as directed.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake or mix gently before serving.
- To Freeze. Unfortunately, the ingredients in this recipe don’t lend themselves well to freezing and thawing. Therefore, I don’t recommend freezing this dressing.
Pair this with
Recommended Tools
- Blender. One way to combine the ingredients for this recipe.
- Mason Jars. This smaller size and larger size are perfect for leftover dressing. And, this option is great for stocking up.
Caesar Dressing
email me the recipe!
From time to time, we’ll send you the best of Well Plated. Already registered? Log in here.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoon anchovy paste or 2 anchovy fillets
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 large garlic clove
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
- Puree until smooth and emulsified.
Video
Notes
- To Store. Store in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake or mix gently before serving.
Nutrition
Join today and start saving your favorite recipes
Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.
Sign Me UpRelated Recipes
If you love this lightened-up Caesar dressing, you’ll love these other healthy salads too.
Do you think I could leave out the anchovy paste or anchovies? My husband won’t go near them!
Hi Sue, Although you can omit them (I suggest adding a little Worchestershire and salt to compensate for flavor), the dressing won’t have that exact classic Caesar flavor, which depends on anchovies. That said, it will still be a tasty dressing!
Sounds good! How long will this last in the ref?
Hi Jenice, to be totally honest, we’ve always finished it in just a few days, but I think you’d be safe for at least 5.
Thank you so much for the recipe! It is awesome.
I hope my question isn’t gross! If anchovy paste lasts for a long time, and yogurt lasts for a few weeks, as does Dijon and the rest, what would prevent this recipe from lasting longer, like a month?
Hi Krissy! Most homemade dressings only stay fresh for about 5 days despite the contents. To be safe, I would not recommend trying to keep the dressing for longer than this time period. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve enjoyed the recipe!
Great recipe!
First off, LOVE every recipe you put on here! Secondly, how long does the dressing last in the fridge?
Erin – just finished makings this dressing and it was FABULOUS! I was Leary about the anchovy paste but went with it and I agree you can’t leave it out! It did come out a bit thicker than I expected – but that didn’t affect the flavor. I have been making my own salad dressings for over 2 years and never looked back. They are actually quicker to whip up than the salad itself! This recipe is now in my repertoire of recipes! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your posts!
Yvonne, I am so, so happy to hear it, and so proud of you for trying the anchovy paste :) If you want it a bit thinner, you can add a little milk or extra olive oil. Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out and for your kinds words too!
Erin – just finished makings this dressing and it was FABULOUS! I was Leary about the anchovy paste but went with it and I agree you can’t leave it out! It did come out a bit thicker than I expected – but that didn’t affect the flavor. I have been making my own salad dressings for over 2 years and never looked back. They are actually quicker to whip up than the salad itself! This recipe is now in my repertoire of recipes! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your posts!
Yvonne, I am so, so excited to hear this! I’m glad you went for the anchovy too :) . If it’s a bit thick, you can always thin it out with milk a bit. Thanks so much for your kind words and taking time to leave your review. Have a wonderful day!
This dressing was SO good! Unfortunately, no anchovy paste.. It was in my shopping cart & on the conveyor belt but somehow didn’t make it into the shopping bag. It didn’t get scanned either. Needless to say, I was so upset since you said that it’s a pretty crucial ingredient. At least it was still good.
Stephanie, I’m so sorry about the paste! That same thing has totally happened to me before. Regardless, I’m so glad that you enjoyed the dressing anyway. This calls for another batch :)
How long does this dressing keep in the refrigerator?
Hi Shelby! We usually finish this within a day or two, but I think you’d be fine keeping it for at least 4 or 5.
This dressing is INCREDIBLE! I cannot get enough. I think the trick is real anchovies with a good quiality parmesan. Thanks for posting!!
I am SO happy to hear this KR. And I totally agree: when a recipe has very few ingredients like this one, their quality is SO important. Thanks so much for your kind comment. I really appreciate it!
Awesome recipe. Didn’t have anchovy paste. Instead, I substituted creamed smoked fish roe (comes in a tube from Ikea). Turned out great! Thanks
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for trying the recipe and letting me know how it turned out!
Perfection! I’ve made a very similar dressing and LOVE it! The only thing is that I hate to open a whole bottle of anchovy paste and not have anything to do with the rest of it. Any ideas?
Thanks for the inspiration!
– MAK
Hi Margaret Ann! I’m definitely not an anchovy paste expert in terms of all the different ways to use it, but I do know the tube will last for quite a while in the fridge. You could also try adding a little bit to red pasta sauces to see how that tastes.
I just made this dressing and it was so delicious that I had to make extra to let my co-workers try. I’m so excited to eat more salads now. Thank you so much for your recipe!
Kayla, I am so excited to hear this! Thank you so much for trying the recipe and letting me know how it turned out.
So..all ready to make this, thought I had a fresh lemon and only had a fresh lime. I made it with that instead and it is totally delicious! Today is my 21 wedding anniversary, made a special dinner tonight…hubby will be more than impressed loving homemade options BEST. This one is a keeper and I don’t plan on rationing it, thank you for sharing this… :-)
Anita, I’m so glad you all enjoyed this recipe. Happy Anniversary!!!
Made this today, and as a person who normally never likes Dijon or sardines I absolutely LOVED this recipe!!! Truly delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Crystal, I’m so excited to hear you loved the recipe! Thanks for sharing your review…I really appreciate it!
How do u make ranch with yogurt,may i have the recipe?
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne! Here’s the recipe for the ranch dip I make with Greek yogurt: https://www.wellplated.com/greek-yogurt-ranch-dip/
Made this with Worcestershire sauce instead of anchovy paste using full fat greek yogurt; came out amazing! Absolutely delish! My new go to Caesar dressing :-)
Kate, I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the dressing! Thanks so much for reporting back and taking the time to share your swaps. :)
Made dinner for the in-laws tonight and used this recipe. They are picky eaters and loved it! Thank you!
I’m happy to hear the recipe was a hit, Brady! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this great review!
Absolutely perfect! Love it! Left out the anchovies as didn’t have any, still great! It’s a keeper, thanks
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this awesome review, Jacky! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it. :)
Hi Erin!
I made this last night and absolutely loved it. I doubled the garlic (as I do for most recipes) and loved it. However, our teenager said it was “too garlicky”. I’ll tone down the garlic for her, but if I’m just making it for myself, I’ll keep doubling up : )
Cheri, I’m so happy to hear the dressing was a hit! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome review!
This is very good easy, clean tasting. I enjoy cooking and making the best for my family and this is well worth making. Thanks
Bobby, thank you so much for taking the time to make the recipe and report back. I’m glad you enjoyed the dressing!
Wow! That’s all I can say.
I’m so glad you enjoy the dressing, Debra! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Hi Erin!
I’d love to make a caesar casserole with this dressing recipe. How do you think the dressing would do if I added it to pasta and some veggies and then baked it like a casserole?
Thank you!
Cait
Cait, that sounds like a really yummy experiment! I can’t offer specifics as I’ve never tried. My initial thought is that the dressing might be kind of thin, but you can always play around and maybe add more yogurt and extra parmesan cheese. Be careful not to stir the dressing into the pasta while it is still super hot though, or it maybe curdle.
Hi could u tell me if it would be possible to freeze this ? I know it sounds a silly question ?
Thank you. Stumbled across this healthy dressing & cant wait to make it , your site looks great!
Julie, Scotland ???????
Hi Julie! I actually wouldn’t recommend freezing this. It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week! I hope you enjoy if you try it.
Thanks for letting me know & I will review when I have made x!
Absolutely the BEST! I figured out the WW points and it’s one point per tablespoon! Awesome for us Caesar Fanatics!!
YAY! So glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing!
This stuff is great! I like to add a bit of cayenne for a kick. Light and airy. I even caught my son drinking it straight the other morning. Well done!
Nancy, thank you for taking the time to report back! I’m glad the dressing is a winner!
The whole family loved it… it’s the best.
Ola, thanks for taking the time to share this review. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Can this be done with immersion blender in a mason jar?
Hi Fred! I’ve never tried to make the recipe this way, so I’m not sure how it would turn out. If you decide to experiment with it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Absolutely delicious! I added an extra garlic clove – makes it super garlicky and perhaps a bit overpowering but I adore garlic so no problem for me. This recipe is a delight!
Thank you for sharing this kind review, Jackie! I’m so happy that you enjoyed the dressing!
This Caesar dressing is amazing. You would never know there is no egg and hardly any olive oil. We have a favorite restaurant here in Los Angeles- Dan Tana’s- and we love their Caesar. Well… I have found a comparable recipe with less calories so we can indulge often!
I’m SO happy you enjoyed it, Pascale! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I just made this and followed exactly as written. This is an amazing recipe! Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Brittany! Thank you for this kind review!
Absolutely a keeper recipe – superb!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Martha! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Most delicious and easiest Caesar dressing to make. Plus it lasts refrigerated for 1 week!
Made a big salad for 6 last night and not a bit of lettuce left on anyone’s plate. Was asked to share the recipe! This is the highest compliment.
I’m SO happy that it was a hit, Deborah! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Super tasty! Unfortunately, no anchovy paste on hand but used capers for their salty umami-ness and it worked wonderfully. Will definitely be making this often. Thank you!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Stephanie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This is easy and yet absolutely delicious!! Mine came out a bit thick, even though I followed the steps accurately. Loving this!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Maida! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Delicious!
Thank you Eva!!
I’ve been making Ina Garten’s classic Caesar dressing recipe for years, and weekly during the p, but my family is starting to put on the C 15 so I needed to find a healthier way to get them to still eat salads. I was skeptical that anything healthier could ever come close to Barefoot Contessa but OMG you can barely taste the difference and for the calorie difference, I’m not sure I’ll ever make my old one. Sorry Ina! This is amazing!
I’m SO happy that you enjoyed it, Venice! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Delicious! I used garlic powder instead of the garlic clove so I could just mix it all up in a bowl and not have to use a food processor. I also just eyeballed all of the measurements so it only took me about 3 minutes to make.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Rob! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Love this dressing! I am a caesar-o-holic and this is perfect! I love that it is yogurt based and healthy! Mine also came out a bit thick….Any tips for thinning it out? Thanks so much!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Lucia! If it’s a bit thick, you can thin it out with a little milk.
Love love LOVE this recipe! We make it just about once a week for kale caesar salads… Thank you!!!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Samantha! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I would halved the Dijon mustard. But other than that it was delicious.
So glad to you enjoyed it Kim! Thank you for this kind review!
Hello,
I was going to make this today and wondered how much Worcestershire you use instead of anchovy paste?
Thank you :)
Hi Stacy! You can omit the anchovy paste or you can use 1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire, hope this helps!
I’ve made this dressing several times, firstly with anchovies from a can, and today with anchovy paste, being the only difference. I think the ones with whole anchovies tasted better than today’s paste, so I think I’ll add some extra anchovy paste next time, but other than that, I have REALLY eoyed making this recipe! Thank you
Hi TC! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Love this dressing” I make this all week for our salads
Hi Dale! So glad you enjoyed the dressing! Thank you for this kind review!
This doesn’t taste like Caesar, despite all the crossover ingredients, but it is a yummy garlic citrus yogurt dressing. I made a Caesar salad with it and I was disappointed, but when used other ways (like on a turkey burger) it was good.
I’m sorry this recipe wasn’t to your tastes, Sue. I (and many other readers) have truly enjoyed it, so I wish you would’ve too!
Just made this for tonight’s Caesar salad. I added a slash of Worcestershire sauce. So very good. I’ll be making this again and again.
Hi Sandra! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
I’ve been making this dressing for years and it is unbeatable. I always add way more anchovies than it calls for, but that’s my only change. Love this recipe and thanks for making a healthy version of one of my faves!
Hi Sarah! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I have to say, I was extremely disappointed with this dressing. Word to the wise: don’t think that you can just substitute Worcestershire sauce for anchovies/anchovy paste. After adding everything except the anchovies, the dressing was bland and needed something tart desperately. No matter what I added (more Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, even a splash of apple cider vinegar!) nothing worked and my dressing didn’t ever taste like Caesar dressing. Clearly this is not the recipe for me. I’ll hunt for anchovy free recipes!
Hi Kate! Sorry to hear this wasn’t to your taste. Authentic classic caesar dressing has anchovies so using anything different will definitely affect the result.
Found this recipe about 2 months ago and I make a batch every week. It’s so good I now prefer it over regular Caesar.
Yay! Thank you Erin!
This is the perfect summer meal! Don’t skip the homemade dressing, it’s sooo good!!! Still really enjoyed it leftover for lunch but I agree it’s best fresh :)
Thank you Madi!
Excellent dressing. Nice and thick when refrigerated, just like a full fat dressing
Thank you Richard!
I have a caesar dressing recipe from Cooks illustrated that is hands down the best I’ve ever had but it is full of fat. I was excited to try this one hoping it would be a great healtier alternative. Made as directed and after a taste test I added more anchovie paste, a T of worcestershire sauce, T of red wine vinegar, salt and fresh ground pepper. It was perfect for a weeknight salad and I’ll make the other unhealthy version only for a special occasion.
Thanks for the feedback, Jane!