Zippy Crisp Caesar Vinaigrette Recipe: Brighten Any Salad!

Fresh greens come alive with a zesty caesar vinaigrette that packs a punch of flavor.

This homemade dressing blends tangy ingredients into a creamy, irresistible blend.

Anchovies and garlic mingle with rich egg yolks to create depth and complexity.

Parmesan cheese adds a salty kick that makes every salad sing.

A quick whisk transforms simple pantry staples into a restaurant-worthy condiment.

You’ll love how effortlessly this vinaigrette elevates even the most basic salad.

Drizzle generously and watch your everyday greens become a culinary masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

Caesar Vinaigrette Ingredient Essentials

• Mayonnaise: Creates a silky, luxurious foundation that ensures smooth vinaigrette texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps balance the overall flavor profile.

• Garlic: Provides intense, aromatic punch that defines classic Caesar character.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers deep umami undertones and complex savory notes.
• Anchovy Paste: Introduces authentic marine saltiness without overwhelming fish presence.

• Lemon Juice: Brightens the entire dressing with fresh, citrusy acidity that cuts through richness.
• Dijon Mustard: Contributes sharp, slightly spicy undertone that elevates overall taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Infuses nutty, salty depth and authentic Italian essence to the vinaigrette.

• Olive Oil: Binds ingredients together and creates smooth, elegant emulsification.

• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle heat to complement other ingredients.
• Salt: Enhances and harmonizes all flavor components in the vinaigrette.

Tools to Whisk and Mix a Bold Dressing

• Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients smoothly and creating a creamy vinaigrette.
• Small bowl or jar: Perfect for mixing and storing the dressing.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients like lemon juice and Parmesan.
• Cutting board: Useful for prepping lemon if needed.
• Sharp knife: For slicing lemon if freshly squeezing juice.

How to Make Caesar Vinaigrette With Zing

• Blend Flavor Components

Grab a small mixing vessel and pour in your chosen liquid ingredients. Swirl and combine everything with enthusiastic whisking or secure-lid shaking until the mixture transforms into a smooth, harmonious blend.

• Fine-Tune Your Dressing

Sample your freshly created vinaigrette and experiment with the balance. Want more zesty punch? Add an extra splash of citrus. Craving deeper richness? Sprinkle in additional Parmesan cheese. Seeking silkier texture? Drizzle in a touch more olive oil.

• Preserve and Enjoy

Transfer your delectable dressing into a sealed container. Refrigerate and savor for up to seven days. Before each use, give the container a vigorous shake to reawaken those mingled flavors and ensure everything stays perfectly integrated.

Add Lemon or Anchovy for Extra Punch

• Grate fresh garlic using a microplane for a more subtle, evenly distributed flavor compared to minced garlic.
• Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that maintains a rich, cheesy taste.
• Experiment by adding fresh chopped herbs like basil or chives to give the vinaigrette an extra layer of freshness and complexity.
• If the dressing seems too thick, thin it out with a splash of water or additional olive oil until you reach your desired texture.
• For a kick of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to transform the classic vinaigrette into a zesty dressing.

Serve This Dressing on Romaine or Wraps

• Zesty Salad Companion: Drizzle this tangy Caesar vinaigrette over crisp romaine lettuce for a classic Caesar salad experience that bursts with flavor.
• Gourmet Veggie Dip: Use as a vibrant dipping sauce for fresh vegetable crudités, adding a punchy flavor to raw carrots, cucumber, and bell peppers.
• Protein Power Boost: Marinate grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu in the vinaigrette before cooking to infuse meat or plant-based proteins with rich, savory notes that elevate any main dish.
• Quick Sandwich Spread: Spread a thin layer on sandwiches or wraps to instantly upgrade your lunch with a creamy, lemony kick that adds excitement to ordinary bread-based meals.

Chill Caesar Vinaigrette to Use All Week

• Store your Caesar vinaigrette in a glass jar with a tight-sealing lid to maintain maximum flavor and prevent any unwanted leakage during storage.
• Allow the vinaigrette to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to help ingredients blend and release their full aromatic potential.
• Make a double or triple recipe to have this zesty dressing ready throughout the week, saving time and ensuring quick meal prep for salads, marinades, or drizzling.
• Natural ingredient separation is normal – simply give the jar a vigorous shake before each use to quickly recombine the olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings for a perfectly blended dressing every time.

Crisp Caesar Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy caesar vinaigrette brings classic Italian dressing magic to salads with bold, tangy flavors. Rich parmesan and zesty lemon create a smooth, irresistible blend you’ll drizzle over crisp greens with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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• 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, optional)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra umami)
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) red wine vinegar (or more lemon juice)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Emulsification: Combine anchovy, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, egg yolk, worcestershire sauce, and olive oil in a small bowl or mason jar, whisking vigorously or sealing and shaking until ingredients form a smooth, unified dressing.
2. Seasoning: Incorporate freshly ground black pepper and grated parmesan cheese, tasting and adjusting flavor profile by adding additional lemon juice for brightness, extra cheese for depth, or more olive oil to achieve desired consistency.
3. Preservation: Transfer vinaigrette to a sealed glass container, refrigerate immediately, and consume within seven days. Before each use, gently shake or stir to reincorporate separated ingredients and restore optimal texture.

Notes

• Start with small amounts of anchovies and garlic, gradually adding more to control the vinaigrette’s boldness without overwhelming the salad.
• Whisk or shake vigorously to emulsify ingredients, ensuring a smooth, consistent texture that coats ingredients evenly.
• Replace traditional anchovies with capers or miso paste for vegetarian versions, maintaining the umami depth without fish.
• Prepare vinaigrette just before serving to preserve the bright, zesty flavors and prevent ingredient breakdown, especially for delicate greens.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 90
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 3 mg