A Healthy Caesar Dressing and 7 Ways to Use It

June 27, 2024

Courtesy of Kale Junkie

No matter how much (or little) you cook, there are some things it’s important to know how to make. Think: A good frittata, fluffy rice, a go-to chicken or tofu dish, a batch of cookies. Another item we’d add to this list is a killer Caesar dressing.

Not only is Caesar salad dressing a crowd pleaser and a guaranteed way to dress up whatever greens you’re tossing, it also has several other uses. Here’s your primer on how to make Caesar dressing and all you can do with it.

What is Caesar salad dressing made of?

Caesar salad was invented at a restaurant in the 1920s in Tijuana during Prohibition. The classic Caesar dressing has these ingredients:

Egg yolks
Garlic
Lemon juice
Anchovies
Dijon mustard
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper

Since then, there have been many offshoots — vegan versions, some that use mayo to avoid raw egg yolks, some with Worcestershire sauce or capers instead of anchovies. No matter what your dietary restrictions or preferences, there’s a version of Caesar dressing for you.

Our go-to Caesar dressing recipe

Though we love the classic dressing, this version by food blogger Kale Junkie has become our go-to lately. It calls for plain yogurt instead of egg yolks and oil, lending the dressing a creamy richness, an additional shot of protein, and probiotic benefits. Beyond that, it’s a pretty traditional treatment, with lemon, garlic, anchovy, freshly grated Parmesan, and Dijon mustard.

Two ways we stray slightly from the recipe: We use Greek yogurt for extra protein. Also, we cook the garlic slightly to mellow its raw edge. To do this: Mince the garlic and place it in a small skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil and cook it over low heat until it sizzles. Let it sizzle for 30 seconds, then proceed with the recipe. (Skip this step if you enjoy the raw garlic flavor.)

Other uses for Caesar dressing

Beyond salad, here are other ways you can enjoy Caesar dressing:

Marinade: Toss chicken breasts or thighs, flank steak, or pork tenderloin in the dressing and soak before grilling, pan-frying, roasting, or broiling
Sandwich spread: Instead of mayo, slather whole-grain or sourdough bread, or tortillas, with the dressing before adding fillings
Burger topper: Spread it on the bun or drizzle it over any kind of burger patty
Roasted vegetables: Toss chopped or sliced vegetables in Caesar dressing before roasting. Try it with potatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets — any veggies you like
Tuna, egg, or chicken salad: Use Caesar dressing in place of some or all of the mayo
Seafood: Brush it on shrimp kabobs or drizzle over salmon or halibut before grilling or baking
Dip: Spoon some into a bowl and set it out with sliced vegetables and/or whole-grain pita chips