Meet your new go-to Caesar dressing: creamy, tangy, dairy-free, and ready in about 5 minutes. Drizzle it over Caesar salads (like my Shrimp Caesar Salad or Chicken Caesar Salad), spoon it onto wraps (like my Chicken Caesar Wrap), use it as a dip for veggies, or add it to grilled chicken or shrimp for an easy flavor boost. This homemade Caesar dressing is also Paleo, Whole30, Keto, low carb, and includes a low FODMAP option.
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Why You'll Love This Caesar Dressing
Caesar dressing has a way of making basic ingredients feel like an actual meal instead of "I found lettuce and hoped for the best." This easy homemade version is creamy, tangy, garlicky, and ready in about 5 minutes.
It's perfect for classic Caesar salad, chicken Caesar wraps, grilled chicken, shrimp, raw vegetables, roasted vegetables, and meal prep lunches. The dressing is dairy-free as written, and you can make it with garlic-infused olive oil for a low FODMAP option.
If you eat low carb, this dressing is also a great way to add flavor to salads and protein-based meals without relying on sugary sauces or heavier store-bought dressings.
Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing with a Low FODMAP Option
If you love creamy homemade salad dressings, this easy Caesar dressing is a great one to keep in your back pocket. It's made in the same spirit as my homemade ranch dressing: dairy-free, Paleo, Whole30, Keto, low carb, and full of classic flavor.
And the best part? It's even quicker than ranch. There are no herbs or scallions to chop, no blender required, and no dramatic kitchen production. Just whisk everything together in a bowl, and you're basically done.
As written, this dressing can be made low FODMAP by using garlic-infused olive oil and omitting the garlic powder. If you don't need a low FODMAP Caesar dressing, use extra virgin olive oil and add garlic powder for a classic garlicky flavor.
Necessary Equipment
Nothing fancy required! The equipment I use to make this easy Caesar Dressing includes:
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Citrus juicer
Easy Caesar Dressing: Ingredients & Low FODMAP Notes
This homemade Caesar salad dressing is made with simple pantry ingredients and comes together easily in about 5 minutes. For a low FODMAP Caesar dressing, use garlic-infused olive oil and omit the garlic powder.
Mayonnaise
Mayo gives this dressing its creaminess. I use avocado oil mayo, but you can use your preferred mayonnaise. If you need this dressing to be egg-free, choose an egg-free mayo.
For low FODMAP, check the ingredient label and choose a mayo without garlic, onion, or other high-FODMAP ingredients.
Lemon juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds the bright, tangy flavor Caesar dressing needs. Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, but fresh gives the best flavor.
Anchovy Paste
Anchovy paste adds classic Caesar flavor and savory depth without making the dressing taste fishy (promise). It comes in a tube, so there's no chopping or handling whole anchovies.
Look for anchovy paste in the condiment aisle, refrigerated seafood section, or online. For low FODMAP, check the label for added garlic or onion.
Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard adds tang and a little bite. Most Dijon mustard is low FODMAP in small servings, but check labels if you're sensitive to added garlic or onion.
Coconut Aminos
Coconut aminos adds savory flavor while keeping the dressing Paleo and Whole30 compatible. If you don't need the recipe to be Paleo or Whole30, you can use Worcestershire sauce, gluten-free tamari, or soy sauce instead.
Once these ingredients are added, whisk them together until combined.
Garlic-Infused Olive Oil or Extra virgin olive oil
For the low FODMAP option, use garlic-infused olive oil and omit the garlic powder. Garlic flavor infuses into oil without the FODMAPs, which are water-soluble, not oil-soluble.
If you don't need low FODMAP, use extra virgin olive oil and add garlic powder for a more traditional garlicky Caesar flavor.
Drizzle the oil in slowly while whisking constantly. This helps the oil and mayonnaise combine easier.
Salt, Pepper, and Nutritional Yeast
Once the olive oil has been incorporated, taste the mixture. Anchovy paste already adds saltiness, so taste the mixture before adding more. Black pepper gives it a little bite, and nutritional yeast adds a subtle cheesy flavor while keeping the dressing dairy-free.
If you don't need dairy-free, you can use finely grated Parmesan cheese instead of nutritional yeast.
How to Use Caesar Dressing
You can use this homemade Caesar salad dressing in the following ways:
- On Caesar salads, like my Shrimp Caesar Salad
- On (or as a dip for) raw or roasted veggies
- In sandwiches or wraps
- ... and more!
Related Recipes
Easy Caesar Dressing (Low FODMAP, Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low FODMAP, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30
Description
This easy Caesar dressing is creamy, tangy, dairy-free, and ready in about 5 minutes. Drizzle it over Caesar salads, wraps, grilled chicken, shrimp, roasted vegetables, and more. Includes low FODMAP options.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup avocado oil mayo (or your preferred mayo)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly-squeezed
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons garlic-infused olive oil, for low FODMAP, or extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder (omit if using garlic-infused oil)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl or the bottom of a large salad bowl, whisk together the mayo, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, and coconut aminos until smooth.
- While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the garlic-infused olive oil or extra virgin olive oil until combined.
- Taste and whisk in garlic powder (if using), salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast (if using). Adjust lemon juice, salt, or pepper to taste.
- Serve over Caesar salad, grilled chicken, shrimp, wraps, raw vegetables, or roasted vegetables.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–7 days. Stir before serving.
Notes
- Low FODMAP option: Use garlic-infused olive oil and omit the garlic powder. Check that your mayo, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, and coconut aminos do not contain high-FODMAP ingredients.
- Serving suggestions: Drizzle this Caesar dressing over a classic Caesar salad, use it in my Shrimp Caesar Salad, spoon it onto grilled chicken, or toss it with romaine for easy Chicken Caesar Salad or Wraps. It's also great as a dip for raw veggies or a quick sauce for roasted vegetables.
- Anchovy paste: Don't panic, it doesn't make the dressing taste fishy. It adds that classic Caesar umami flavor, and since it comes in a tube, there's no handling actual anchovies. You can often find it in the condiment aisle, refrigerated seafood section, or online.
- Coconut aminos: Worcestershire sauce, tamari, or soy sauce can be used instead if you don't need the recipe to be Paleo or Whole30. Use gluten-free tamari if needed.
- Salt: Anchovy paste adds saltiness, so taste the dressing before adding more salt and adjust to your preference.
- Nutritional yeast: This adds a little cheesy flavor while keeping the dressing dairy-free. If you don't need dairy-free, you can use some finely grated Parmesan cheese instead.
- Servings: One batch makes enough dressing for one 4-serving Caesar salad. One serving is about 2 heaping tablespoons.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiments and Seasoning Mixes
- Method: No cook / whisk
- Cuisine: American
Disclaimer: This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or dietary advice. The author is not a medical professional. Nutrition info is an estimate and can vary depending on ingredients and preparation. We follow current guidelines for special diets like low FODMAP, Keto, and Paleo at the time of initial publication, but individual tolerance varies and research is always evolving. It’s up to each reader to check ingredient labels, stay informed with the latest research, and consult their doctor to make informed choices based on their individual needs. Storage times are general recommendations—always follow safe food handling practices. See our Terms of Use for more details.
Kelly Francis says
Delicious recipe! How long does this last in the fridge?
Gail Gromaski says
So glad you enjoyed it, Kelly! I now recommend storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5–7 days. Give it a quick stir before using, and as always, if anything ever looks or smells off, it's best to toss it and whip up a fresh batch.
Grace Guerin says
I so appreciate these low FODMAP recipes for those of us with IBS. So little on the internet in this specific area. Excellent dressing! I don't (hardly) notice the lack of onions and garlic in my cooking, as I've learned to substitute other ingredients to add flavor. Thank you!
Gail Gromaski says
I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipes, Grace, and it really means a lot to hear it still feels full of flavor without the onions and garlic. I love that you've found ways to make substitutions work for you—thanks for taking the time to share some feedback!
Bree C. says
The best Caesar dressing alternative I've come across, despite not having anchovy paste on hand. I used Hellman's Real Mayo and regular soy sauce (and lots of grated parm) because it's what I had. It was a little runny so I added a small spoonful of greek yogurt. I can now satisfy my cravings for Caesar salad and not be grumpy it has to be low fodmap... thank you!
Gail Gromaski says
Thank you so much for sharing this, Bree! I love how you made it work with what you had on hand. The Greek yogurt fix is a great idea too. I'm so glad it helped you enjoy a Caesar salad again without the low FODMAP grumpiness. Appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment!