Healthy Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies (Low Calorie!)
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This twist on a traditional Caesar salad dressing only takes 3 minutes to whip up! This healthy Caesar salad dressing is made with simple ingredients that help keep it low-calorie yet flavorful. That means you won’t miss out on any flavor even though this homemade Caesar dressing recipe is anchovy-free (that’s right!).
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
This tangy low-calorie Caesar dressing is vegetarian-friendly and lasts longer in the fridge than other homemade versions, as it doesn’t contain raw eggs.
Low fat – This healthy Caesar salad dressing is made with low-fat mayo and no raw eggs, which helps keep the fat content down.
Packed with flavor – Using wholegrain mustard, lemon juice, and garlic in this homemade skinny dressing helps create a delicious flavour throughout.
No anchovies – Anchovy-free means this recipe is vegetarian-friendly.
Quick to make – This healthy Caesar dressing only takes about three minutes to toss together.
Pair this yummy dressing with these delicious salads ; Grinder Salad (Italian Sub Salad), The BEST Prawn Salad Recipe or The BEST Halloumi Salad
Ingredients
Garlic Clove – I recommend keeping the minced garlic in this healthy Caesar salad dressing, as it adds a ton of flavour to the recipe. You can also use pre-minced garlic if you prefer.
Low Fat Mayo – This ingredient helps keep the light Caesar dressing low-fat. If you want a richer dressing, feel free to use regular mayo, though it will add calories to the recipe.
Wholegrain Mustard – I love using wholegrain mustard in this recipe, as it adds some texture to the dressing. You can also use Dijon mustard if you want a creamier consistency.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations/Adaptations
You can use a few options to alter this low-fat Caesar dressing so it meets your flavour preferences. If you want a higher protein healthy Caesar salad dressing, consider swapping out the mayonnaise for unflavoured Greek yogurt. If you prefer your dressing with anchovies, you can use anchovy paste to add more flavour.
To make this dressing vegan, swap out the mayo for olive oil. For a more traditional Caesar dressing flavour, add freshly grated parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce.
If you like mayonnaise, you’ll love these recipes ; Crispy Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Chilli Mayo, Fish Finger Sandwich or The Best Turkey Sandwich
How the make healthy Caesar salad dressing
- Start by finely chopping your garlic then add a pinch of salt onto it (Image 1).
- Using the back of your knife, apply pressure to form a paste. The salt will act as an abrasive to help get that smooth texture, you don’t wanna munch on a piece of raw garlic (this time) (Image 2).
3. Add the low fat mayo, mustard, black pepper, salt and garlic and add the lemon juice (Image 3).
4. Whisk continuously to form the Caesar dressing (Image 4).
5. Next, slowly pour in the water from a height as you whisk to form the emulsion. Do this slowly whilst whisking vigorously to prevent the dressing from splitting (Image 5).
6. Taste to adjust the seasoning and add more salt/pepper if necessary (Image 6).
Serve with romaine lettuce or your favorite salad leaves.
Tips for the best results
- Slowly whisk to emulsify. The best way to get this healthy Cesar salad dressing to emulsify is by whisking slowly. Whisking will also add air into the dressing, which allows it to thicken up.
- Adjust lemon to taste. I recommend using the juice of half a lemon to add a tangy flavour to this healthy Caesar salad dressing. However, if you want a less tangy or more tangy taste, you can adjust the amount of lemon juice accordingly.
- Season generously as dressings are diluted with lettuce. You’ll want to add more seasoning than you think is necessary in the dressing, as once you mix it with the lettuce, other veggies, etc., the flavour will be diluted.
Consider making these other delightful, low calorie dishes during the week; Air Fryer Salmon Bites, Pan Fried Cod Recipe and Gyoza Soup
Serving suggestions
This creamy, savory healthy Caesar salad dressing is quite versatile! You can use it as a dip, dressing, or condiment. Here are more details on how to use this dressing in each way.
Dip – Use this Caesar dressing as a dip for chicken tenders, chopped veggies (like carrots and celery), or with breadsticks.
Dressing – This Caesar can, of course, be used on Caesar salads or other salads. Create a typical salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, and this dressing. Or, make a salad with your favorite veggies, like grape tomatoes, shredded carrots, kale, etc.
Condiment – This yummy dressing is also delicious on sandwiches. It adds a delightful flavour to anything from fish sandwiches to more traditional ham and cheese options. You can even use this dressing as a marinade for chicken or fish.
How to store
Once you’ve combined the ingredients and they have emulsified, store them in a glass jar in the fridge. This healthy Caesar salad dressing will stay good in the refrigerator for about a week.
You can also store this dressing in the freezer. Be sure to keep it in an airtight container, and it should last for up to a month. As a note, there will likely be some separation after freezing. A good whisk should help combine the dressing again.
FAQs
Yes, you can add anchovies to this salad dressing. It will add a bolder flavour. I recommend using anchovy paste, as it’s easier to adjust the flavour to your liking.
The flavour of low-fat mayo is very similar to regular mayo. However, since it has a lower fat content, it has a milder taste and is a bit thinner.
It can be lumpy if you do not whisk your dressing enough or slowly enough. Another reason your dressing may be lumpy is if the garlic has not been ground into a paste, so there could be larger chunks of garlic in the dressing.
Caesar salad can be healthy if you add lean protein, a lighter dressing (like this healthy Caesar salad dressing recipe), and homemade croutons. You can also add extra nutrients to Caesar salad by including other veggies, such as bell peppers and carrots.
Explore More Recipes
If you tried this Healthy Caesar Salad Dressing recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Healthy Caesar Salad Dressing (Low Calorie!)
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove, minced (£0.39)
- 3 tbsp low fat mayo £0.79
- 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard £0.65
- Juice of half a lemon £0.30
Cupboard essential
- Salt & Pepper
- 75 ml water
Method
- Start by finely chopping your garlic then add a pinch of salt onto it. Using the back of your knife, apply pressure to form a paste. The salt will act as an abrasive to help get that smooth texture, you don’t wanna munch on a piece of raw garlic (this time).
- Whisk the low fat mayo, mustard, black pepper, salt and garlic. Then add the lemon juice whilst continuously whisking.
- Next, slowly pour in the water from a height as you whisk to form the emulsion. Do this slowly whilst whisking vigorously to prevent the dressing from splitting. Taste to adjust the seasoning and add more salt/pepper if necessary.
Notes
- Slowly whisking the dressing helps emulsify and thicken it by incorporating air.
- Use the juice of half a lemon for tanginess, adjusting the amount to suit your preference.
- Add more seasoning than expected, as the flavour will be diluted when mixed with lettuce and other ingredients.
Nutrition
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