This healthy Caesar salad dressing is creamy, easy, and made without mayo, eggs, or anchovies! It's packed with protein from Greek yogurt, rich, and tangy, and it's ready in 5 minutes with just six simple ingredients. It's so much better than store-bought!
I used to spend way too much money on $10 bottled Caesar dressings that didn't even taste that great. Then I started making my own, and now this homemade Caesar salad dressing is my go-to! It's super easy to make, tastes way better than store-bought, and feels fancy with almost no effort. Plus, there are no anchovies, mayo, or eggs—just pure deliciousness.
The best part? It's healthy, high in protein, and made with Greek yogurt. Each serving has just 40 calories compared to 150+ in store-bought dressings, but it still tastes like the classic version. My friends love it and always say they can't believe there are no anchovies! I make it all the time, especially for Caesar pasta salads. I know you're going to love it too. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!
Why this Caesar salad dressing is healthy:
This homemade Greek yogurt Caesar dressing is a healthier alternative to the classic! Here's why:
- Greek Yogurt Base - Instead of mayo, this recipe uses non-fat plain Greek yogurt, making it lower in calories and fat but higher in protein.
- No Mayo - Skipping the mayo means fewer calories and less fat without sacrificing flavor.
- High-Protein - Thanks to the Greek yogurt, this dressing has 3g of protein per serving—great for a protein boost.
- Simple Ingredients—This dressing is Made with just six wholesome ingredients. It does not contain preservatives, hidden sugars, or unnecessary additives.
Ingredients
This healthy Caesar salad dressing is the best! Made with Greek yogurt, it's high in protein, low in calories, and uses just 6 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper). Here's what you'll need:
- Greek Yogurt: The base of this dressing. I recommend using non-fat plain Greek yogurt, like Chobani, at 0% or 2% or 5%. Make sure it's plain, not flavored!
- Olive Oil: Adds creaminess and smoothness. You can swap for avocado oil if you prefer.
- Lemon: Brings that classic tangy Caesar flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: Paired with pickle juice, it creates a tangy, umami flavor that mimics anchovies—without the fishy taste!
- Pickle Juice: Use kosher dill for a salty, briny kick. I recommend avoiding sweet pickle juice like bread and butter.
- Garlic Cloves: Freshly minced garlic works best, but you can sub 1–1.5 teaspoons of garlic powder if needed.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
Instructions
This easy, healthy Caesar dressing is ready in just 5 minutes—tangy, delicious, and made without anchovies! Follow these simple steps:
Whisk the Ingredients: Whisk together all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl, starting with one tablespoon of olive oil. If you want a richer dressing, add more olive oil.
Taste and Adjust: Taste it and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your liking. Then, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days.
Expert recipe tips
- Don't skip the Dijon mustard! It adds that essential tangy, umami flavor without being noticeable.
- Let the dressing sit. For the best flavor, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the ingredients meld together.
- This dressing is versatile. It can be used as a dip for buffalo wings, a spread for sandwiches, or a sauce for wraps. The options are endless!
- Meal prep-friendly. Make extra and store it in the fridge for up to 6 days—it's perfect for meal prep.
- Fresh garlic is key. Use freshly minced garlic for the best taste in your dressing.
Substitutions
- Greek Yogurt: You can swap Greek yogurt for plain yogurt if preferred, but avoid flavored varieties.
- Olive Oil: If you don't have olive oil, you can use avocado oil for a similar creamy texture.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is ideal, but you can substitute it with garlic powder if needed (about 1–1.5 teaspoons).
- Pickle Juice: If you don't have pickle juice, try using a bit of caper brine or even a splash of vinegar for that tangy kick.
Equipment
Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need to make this healthy Caesar salad dressing.
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring Tools: ¼ teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, and ⅓ cup.
Storage
You can store leftover Caesar salad dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. Stir it well before using it.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe does not contain anchovies. Instead, it uses pickle juice, caper brine, and Dijon mustard to give it that classic Caesar flavor.
You can add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to replace the pickle juice in this recipe.
Yes! You can double or triple this recipe for meal prep. It will last up to 6 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Yes, you can make this Caesar dressing vegan by replacing the Greek yogurt with ¼ cup of runny tahini and ¼ cup of hummus. You can also use plain dairy-free yogurt as a 1:1 swap for Greek yogurt.
Absolutely! This homemade Caesar dressing lasts up to 6 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Perfect for meal prep!
Related
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Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Healthy Caesar Dressing without Anchovies
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt, I used Chobani 0%
- 1 - 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, about ½ a lemon
- 2 tablespoon pickle juice, I used Kosher Dill
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 - 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Start with 1 tablespoon of olive oil; you can add another after whisking if you want a “richer” dressing.
- Taste & adjust seasonings by adding salt, more pepper, or a squeeze more of lemon juice.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. I love it with this crispy salmon caesar salad or this chicken caesar pasta salad!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, if you purchase a small compensation by purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
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sj says
hi there, my family and i don’t like pickle juice, is there anything i can substitute it with? thanks 🙂
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi! Yes, you can use lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
Bj says
Overall great. A bit too mustardy for my taste, I'd recommend half the mustard 🙂
T says
This was sooooo good. I don’t like pickles so didn’t have any on hand, so I opted for pepperoncini juice and a little extra lemon juice.
High protein, generous serving size ( 2 Tablespoons) and all ingredients I have on hand regularly.
This will be on repeat for me.