Caesar salad dressing is a delicious, creamy salad dressing that typically calls for the use of raw eggs. This raw egg-free Caesar salad dressing recipe uses mayonnaise instead!
We’re going through a Caesar phase in our house. My 18 year old could eat it every single day for lunch. The problem with authentic Caesar salad dressing is that it uses raw egg yolks. Sure, you can coddle it or buy pasteurized eggs, but I also need to make it in a fairly large quantity to get us through a week of lunches (I double this recipe).
Substitute mayonnaise for raw egg yolks
I’ve been using mayonnaise in place of the yolks for years, for a pretty close version of traditional Caesar salad dressing, since mayonnaise uses pasteurized eggs. (This post was first published on January 14th, 2014. This post contains affiliate links)
Add chicken to for extra protein
Though I usually throw in some grilled chicken breast for a heartier lunch, sometimes I’ll just eat it with anchovies. I do keep anchovy paste in a tube in the fridge, to use in a pinch as well. Don’t skip the anchovies in the dressing, even if you think you don’t like them. They lend a nice burst of flavor. I generally leave the croutons off, but you can certainly add them.
A classic Caesar salad uses romaine, but we use this Caesar salad dressing on just about any kind of salad. I love how this dressing is adaptable. It works with a variety of diets. Doing Whole30 or Paleo? Omit the parmesan cheese and croutons. Low-carb or keto? Skip the croutons or serve them on the side for the rest of the family. While I’m showing a traditional Caesar salad, you can certainly use more veggies, a different protein or a variety of greens.
Some of the items used in this post are available at my Amazon Store.
Raw Egg-Free Caesar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 1/2 teaspoons anchovy paste or 1 or 2 anchovy filets
- 1/4 cup finely grated fresh parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup olive
- Anchovy filets
- additional shredded or shaved parmesan
- Croutons optional
Instructions
- In a food processor fitted with a blade, blend first seven ingredients, mayonnaise through salt and pepper.
- With motor running add garlic cloves, 30 seconds or so to mince garlic.
- With motor running pour olive oil in a steady stream until emulsified.
- Store in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to four days.
- Toss romaine with dressing to taste, garnish with additional parmesan, croutons and anchovy filets.
- Makes approximately 3/4 cup
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Looking for more salads and dressings?
Green Goddess Dressing with Basil
Green Goddess Dressing
Antipasto salad
Salade Nicoise, a classic composed salad.
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Great dressing Cynthia. I was glad to learn the tip of replacing the eggs with mayo so it keeps longer! Woo hoo! Unfortunately I don’t have a teen in the house who wants to eat Caesar salad every day for lunch. Wish I did. I have four boys who try to escape salads as often as possible. Perhaps this dressing will win them over….
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I can’t tell you how much I love a good caesar salad! I’m trying your recipe! It looks awesome!
Taylor Kiser says
Looks so delicious! Need to have this for lunch very soon!
Jenny | Honey and Birch says
A caesar salad phase is a great phase – one of my favorite salads!
WANDA LE BEAU says
THIS SOUNDS DELICIOUS. I AM GOING TO TRY IT. THANK YOU.
Vicky says
I use mayo too. Takes the worry out.
mimi rippee says
Sounds wonderful! Don’t you love tubular anchovies?!!! I think they stay fresher in the tube. Although I also like whole anchovies in a jar, not a can. In any case, Happy New Year!
Geneviève says
Hi I love this recipe especially since you’ve introduced me to a diary free Mayo-alternative!!
Though if I’m using the tubular anchovies how much would you recommend adding?
Thanks again for the awesome post
Cynthia says
I use the tube of anchovies and squeeze out a teaspoon or two depending on how salty you like it.
Robin says
Hi,
I admit I haven’t made this dressing, because it came up in my search results for an egg-free Caesar dressing. Your title is quite misleading, given that it is made with mayo, and inherently has eggs in it. The eggs might not be raw, but it is in no way an egg-free dressing.
Cynthia says
Hi Robin,
Sorry it’s misleading to you. I’m trying to figure it a way of saying “Caesar salad dressing without RAW egg yolks…since a traditional Caesar salad dressing uses egg yolks, oil, and lemon juice, (which is basically mayonnaise), I’ve substituted mayonnaise. For those who are not concerned with salmonella or are sure where there eggs come from, raw eggs would be a better choice. I was trying to give people an alternative to raw eggs. Sorry that was confusing.
Christina Conte says
Unfortunately, unless we have our own chickens or know someone who does, we really shouldn’t be using raw eggs as they do in Europe. This is a great alternative for us in the US. Thanks for sharing!
Cynthia says
right? I need some chickens!