This is the BEST Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing! It tastes just like a classic Caesar dressing with bold and savory flavors. You won't be missing any cheese in this recipe, and it may easily become your new favorite salad dressing!
I make Caesar salads often for dinner. The dressing is so flavorful, that you really won't miss the parmesan cheese. Caesar salads are VERY simple. They usually just have romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan, and dressing. The star of the show really is the dressing (because that's where all the flavor comes from), so if you make a Dairy-Free Caesar Salad, the dressing has to be a winner!
Last weekend we went to a New Orleans-style restaurant and my niece ordered a Caesar salad. I received the highest compliment from her after she took her first bite and said "Yours is better." I'm telling you, this dressing is the most delicious dressing I've ever had.
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📝Ingredient Notes
- Capers: Capers are small, pea-sized flower buds that are harvested from the caper bush. They are usually pickled in vinegar or brine and used as a flavorful condiment in many different cuisines. Capers have a tangy, slightly salty taste and are often used in recipes like salads, pasta, fish, and sauces to add a unique flavor. Capers are essential in making Caesar dressing in my opinion. You won't get the same delicious flavor without them, but they can be omitted from the recipe.
- Anchovy paste: I used to use anchovy filets, but the paste is so much simpler. It's purchased in a tube and lasts a long time in the refrigerator. Anchovies are an important ingredient in Caesar dressing, but you can leave it out if needed. Most pastes are made with anchovies, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and sodium benzoate. But you should always check labels to be safe. I use Giovanni's Anchovy Paste.
- Mayonnaise: Homemade Caesar dressing usually involves making a mayonnaise base with eggs and oil. I like to cheat with store-bought mayonnaise (preferably Duke's Mayonnaise). But you could even use my homemade garlic mayo. Mayonnaise contains eggs, yes. But eggs are NOT dairy. However, you can certainly use egg-free mayonnaise if needed.
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon Mustard adds a tangy flavor that really pulls all the savory ingredients forward. It's like a little flavor amplifier.
- Red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar is made from red wine that has been fermented and then converted into vinegar. The final product contains very little to no alcohol, as the fermentation process converts the alcohol into acetic acid. You can purchase red wine vinegar next to the other kinds of vinegar at your grocery store. Another option would be to use fresh lemon juice.
- Garlic powder: You can definitely grate some fresh garlic in place of powder, but I like the simplicity of using the powder.
🥣Equipment
- Mortar and Pestle or a small bowl with a fork: I always use my mortar and pestle to make Caesar dressing. It's small, but it does the job. It's perfect for grinding up capers and anchovies! I use anchovy paste now, so it's mostly just helpful for the capers. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, just mash the capers with a fork.
🔪How to Make Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing
- Using a fork and a small bowl or a mortar and pestle, mash the capers until they're broken down into small bits.
2. Then mix in the anchovy paste.
3. Add the remaining ingredients.
4. Mix until well combined. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator in an airtight jar or container for 3 to 4 days.
🧊Storing
Store this caesar dressing in the refrigerator in an airtight container or mason jar for 3 to 4 days. Mix well before serving.
✅Pro Tips
- Use high-quality ingredients: Using high-quality ingredients is going to give you the best flavor. Definitely be sure to use a good quality mayo (not miracle whip) like Duke's Mayonnaise, and good quality Dijon Mustard.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes: This allows the flavors to blend together.
- Taste as you go: Taste for saltiness, savoriness, and tanginess as you go. You may decide to add more sugar if it's too acidic or salty. Or if you want to mellow out the flavors even more, add an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise. Start really small with the sugar and work your way up if needed as you taste the dressing.
- Add a small amount of dressing to the salad: A little dressing goes a long way. That's why this is a small-batch recipe. One batch of this dressing can make 4 side salads.
⁉️Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This recipe is gluten-free, however, if you follow a strict gluten-free diet, you should always check the ingredient labels before using it.
Yes. Caesar dressing usually contains parmesan cheese, which is dairy. It's a common misconception that eggs (used in the dressing) are dairy. Eggs are not dairy. Milk and milk ingredients (such as butter and cheese) are dairy. This recipe is completely dairy-free, as it doesn't contain parmesan cheese or any other milk ingredient.
This recipe doesn't use any cheese replacements and is very delicious. However, you can use nutritional yeast to add a cheesy flavor. Online retailers, such as Amazon, sell nutritional yeast, and so does Walmart.
No. I don't recommend freezing this dressing. Mayonnaise, a main ingredient in this recipe, does not thaw well once frozen. It's best enjoyed fresh or consumed within 3 to 4 days.
⭐️Before you go! If you enjoyed this recipe for homemade Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing, please leave a review below. I love to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing
Equipment
- mortar and pestle or a small bowl with a fork
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon capers
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste or canned anchovies
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar or 1 ½ teaspoons
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Using a fork and a small bowl or a mortar and pestle, mash the capers until they're broken down into small bits. Then mix in the anchovy paste.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator in an airtight jar or container for 3 to 4 days.
Notes
- If the dressing tastes too salty or acidic, add a pinch more sugar or an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise.
- This small-batch dressing can be tossed with about 5 cups of romaine lettuce. This will make 4 salads. Remember: a little dressing goes a long way!
- This full recipe for Dairy-Free Caesar Salad shows you how to use this dressing and make your own delicious dairy-free croutons!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutrition label is only an estimate. Amounts may vary based on the products used and different nutrition calculators. If tracking nutrition information is important to you, it's recommended that you plug these ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
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