Easy 5-Minute Caesar Dressing – No Mayo Needed
This creamy, tangy Caesar salad dressing swaps the usual anchovies for rich, briny sardines—oil and all—for an unforgettable flavor. Whip it up in just 5 minutes with simple ingredients and no mayo. Perfect for tossing with crisp romaine or drizzling over grilled veggies.
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Caesar salad is hands-down my favorite lettuce salad. Simple in ingredients yet robust in flavor, it’s a perfect side for salmon, steak, or grilled chicken. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make from scratch—no store-bought bottle needed.
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So what makes this Caesar dressing special?
Traditionally, Caesar dressing uses anchovies, but I swap them for sardines—oil and all. Sardines bring a rich, briny flavor that gives the dressing an irresistible depth without being overpowering.
Let’s make it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor-packed: Sardines, Parmesan, garlic, and Dijon give this dressing a perfect savory bite.
Easy & fast: 5 minutes from start to finish.
No mayo needed: We make our own creamy base with olive oil and egg.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Salt & pepper – To round it all out.
Fresh garlic – For that bold punch of flavor.
Sardines (oil and all) – Briny, umami-rich, and the star of this recipe.
Olive oil – The silky base of the dressing.
Egg – Adds creaminess, similar to homemade mayonnaise.
Fresh lemon juice – Brightens the salty, savory flavors.
Dijon mustard – Adds tang and complexity.
Worcestershire sauce – A touch of sweetness and depth.
Parmesan cheese – For a salty, nutty finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
You’ll need: An immersion blender and a jar or the container it came with.
- Add everything to the jar – garlic, sardines (oil included), olive oil, egg, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Blend from the bottom up – Press the immersion blender firmly against the bottom, covering the egg yolk. Blend for 10–15 seconds without moving it.
- Finish blending – Once it starts to thicken, slowly move the blender up and down until fully combined.
That’s it! Creamy, tangy Caesar dressing in minutes.
COOKING WITH KIDS
DISCLOSURE: Please keep in mind that the following tips are general and are meant to be suggestive. I personally use these strategies with my own kids, who are all unique even within my own family of five. Therefore, please regard these as suggestions or ideas. If you feel that your child requires more or less assistance, then go with what you and your child are comfortable with. Ultimately, you know your child best.
Making Caesar dressing is a great way to get kids comfortable with kitchen tools—just make sure an adult handles anything sharp.
STORAGE & REHEATING DETAILS
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a quick stir before serving.
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Easy 5-Minute Caesar Dressing – No Mayo Needed
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
Description
This creamy, tangy Caesar salad dressing swaps traditional anchovies for sardines—oil and all—for a bold, briny flavor. Whip it up in just 5 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for tossing with romaine, grilled chicken, salmon, or steak, and so easy the kids can help!
Ingredients
1 garlic clove, smashed
1 can sardines, oil included
Olive oil (enough to reach 1 cup, including garlic and sardines)
1 egg
Juice from 1 lemon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup Parmesan, freshly grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
-
Add all ingredients to a jar or the container that came with your immersion blender.
-
Press the immersion blender firmly against the bottom, covering the egg yolk. Blend for 10–15 seconds without moving.
-
Once it thickens, slowly move the blender up and down to fully combine all ingredients.
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Stir and transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
Equipment
Beautiful 2-Speed Immersion Blender with Chopper & Measuring Cup, White Icing by Drew Barrymore
Buy Now →Notes
- Serve with Homemade Croutons: Homemade croutons make this salad even better!
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No Mayo Needed: The egg and olive oil make this dressing creamy without store-bought mayonnaise.
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Sardine Swap: You can use anchovies if preferred, but sardines give a rich, briny flavor.
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Serving Suggestions: Toss with romaine, grilled chicken, salmon, or steak for a complete meal.
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Cooking with Kids: Let little ones measure ingredients, crack the egg, or help press the blender button while an adult supervises.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: salad dressing
- Method: one bowl
- Cuisine: Italian-Mexican, American
© Photography, Prop Styling, and Food Styling by Jenn Giam Smith | Jenn Smith, LLC
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