Caesar Salad Dressing Without Anchovies Recipe
A creamy and savory Caesar salad dressing that omits anchovies, making it perfect for those who prefer a vegetarian-friendly version. This anchovy-free dressing combines mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, caper brine, and Parmesan cheese for a rich and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with fresh romaine lettuce, croutons, and extra Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup dressing (serves 4-6 as salad dressing) 1x
- Category: Salad Dressing
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 cloves Garlic (pressed, finely minced)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Anchovy-free Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp Caper brine
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground)
- Salt (if needed, to taste)
Salad Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce (quantity as desired)
- Croutons (quantity as desired)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (for sprinkling)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic: Use a garlic press or microplane to finely mince or mash the garlic cloves. Place the minced garlic into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Combine acidic ingredients: Add lemon juice, Dijon mustard, caper brine, and anchovy-free Worcestershire sauce to the bowl with the garlic.
- Add mayonnaise and whisk: Pour in the mayonnaise and whisk the mixture for 20-30 seconds until all ingredients are fully combined and the dressing is smooth.
- Incorporate cheese and seasoning: Stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Taste the dressing and add salt if necessary, though it’s often not needed.
- Toss the salad: In a large salad bowl, add fresh romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and croutons. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper on top before serving for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use anchovy-free Worcestershire sauce to keep the dressing vegetarian.
- Caper brine is key to adding a salty, tangy punch that replaces anchovies.
- You can adjust the consistency of the dressing by adding a splash of water or olive oil if desired.
- This dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freshly minced garlic adds more flavor than pre-minced garlic, but either works.
- Adjust salt carefully because Parmesan cheese and caper brine already contribute saltiness.
Keywords: Caesar salad dressing, anchovy-free dressing, vegetarian Caesar, creamy salad dressing, garlic dressing, homemade Caesar
