Caesar Salad Dressing Without Anchovies Recipe
A creamy, flavorful Caesar salad dressing made without anchovies, perfect for those seeking a vegetarian-friendly version of the classic. This dressing combines mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce without anchovies, and caper brine for that signature tangy Caesar taste, finished with grated Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Enough dressing for 4 servings of salad
- 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 (to taste, typically 4 cups chopped)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (for sprinkling)
- Croutons (to taste, typically 1 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic: Use a garlic press or microplane to finely mince or mash the garlic cloves, then place the garlic inside a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add lemon juice, Dijon mustard, caper brine, and the anchovy-free Worcestershire sauce to the bowl with the garlic.
- Combine with Mayonnaise: Add the mayonnaise to the mixture and whisk vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds until all ingredients are well incorporated and smooth.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and season with salt if needed (the recipe author did not add salt).
- Assemble Salad: In a large salad bowl, add chopped romaine lettuce, additional Parmesan cheese, and croutons. Toss with the prepared dressing until evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper over the top before serving for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, ensure Worcestershire sauce is anchovy-free as traditional versions contain anchovies.
- Caper brine is used to add tanginess and a slight salty flavor without anchovies.
- Freshly minced garlic enhances the overall taste; avoid pre-minced garlic for best flavor.
- Adjust salt according to taste as Parmesan and caper brine add saltiness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for best texture and flavor.
Keywords: Caesar salad dressing, vegetarian Caesar dressing, anchovy-free dressing, creamy salad dressing, homemade Caesar dressing
