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Easy 5-Minute Caesar Dressing – No Mayo Needed

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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!

  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cup

Ingredients

Scale

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.

  • Stir and transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.

Equipment

Notes

  • Serve with Homemade Croutons: Homemade croutons make this salad even better!

  • No Mayo Needed: The egg and olive oil make this dressing creamy without store-bought mayonnaise.

  • Sardine Swap: You can use anchovies if preferred, but sardines give a rich, briny flavor.

  • Serving Suggestions: Toss with romaine, grilled chicken, salmon, or steak for a complete meal.

  • Cooking with Kids: Let little ones measure ingredients, crack the egg, or help press the blender button while an adult supervises.

  • Author: Jenn Giam Smith
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: salad dressing
  • Method: one bowl
  • Cuisine: Italian-Mexican, American

Find it online: https://www.jenn-smith.com/easy-5-minute-caesar-dressing-no-mayo-needed/