What is Caesar Dressing and Why Love It

Caesar is the king of dressings—and not just because of the royal name. Pop into any sit-down restaurant and you’re likely to see Caesar on the menu. Whether it’s on a humble side salad or headlining in a chicken Caesar salad, this delicious dressing is a pantry staple that’s here to stay.

The History of Caesar Dressing

If you guessed that Caesar dressing was named after the famed Roman emperor, you’d lose that round of food trivia. The name actually comes from Cesare Cardini, an Italian American chef who reportedly invented the original Caesar salad in the 1920s at his restaurant in Tijuana. 

Food legend says that Cesare tossed together ingredients he had on hand to create the first Caesar dressing and salad, though not all food historians or Cardini family members agree with that account. Regardless of its exact origins, the Caesar salad and its creamy dressing soon made their way into the hearts (and mouths) of restaurant patrons everywhere.

What’s in Caesar Dressing?

The flavor of Caesar dressing is often described as creamy, tangy, rich, and a bit lemony. There’s no one right way to make Caesar, but a handful of ingredients show up time and time again. Commonly used components of homemade Caesar dressing include garlic, lemon juice, oil, mustard, and egg yolks. Anchovies or anchovy paste is also a signature ingredient, albeit a polarizing one (we’ll get to that later). Some Caesar Dressings also contain Worcestershire sauce and parmesan, and many store-bought versions include sugar or corn syrup.

Does Caesar Have Anchovies?

Typically, yes, and that’s why some people can’t get past the original recipe. If you’ve ever ordered pizza for a group and had one person request anchovy topping, you know just how controversial they can be. Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing is made without any fishy ingredients: It has all the creaminess and garlicky notes of the original dressing, minus any briny anchovy aftertaste. For those who are vegan or can’t tolerate eggs, Primal Kitchen also offers a Plant-Based Caesar Dressing with similar richness and creamy, zesty flavor.

What Makes Primal Kitchen Caesar Different?

We’re pretty proud of the real ingredients in Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing, which include delicious avocado oil for good fats (no seed oils!), organic egg yolks, organic apple cider vinegar for a little tanginess, garlic, and delicious herbs. This dreamy dressing has no dairy, cane sugar, corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners, giving it that classic Caesar taste you know and love without the ingredients you don’t want.

Over the years, we’ve listened to customer feedback about our Caesar Dressing and worked to bring you the best dressing experience possible. It’s not Caesar without that signature velvety texture, but you also want a nice smooth pour to dress and drizzle salads with ease. Our newest recipe packs a savory punch of classic flavor with just the right consistency for the perfect pour. We did it the right way, without shortcuts or cheap filler ingredients—skipping the xanthan gum and modified food starch in favor of trusted ingredients we love.

What Can You Do With Caesar Dressing?

There’s the classic Caesar salad, of course, but our dreamy dressing is capable of so much more. From skillet meals to sandwiches and appetizers to wraps, the creamy texture and garlicky lemon flavor of Caesar elevates a variety of dishes. Here are just a few of our favorite uses for Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing:

• Salad Starter: Caesar salad doesn’t have to be constrained to just romaine, croutons, parmesan, and dressing. Top your greens with salmon or make it a Chicken Caesar Salad.  Caesar Dressing elevates any salad that pairs well with a creamy dressing, from simple eats like Grilled Romaine to a jazzed-up, plant-heavy version with chickpeas, cauliflower, and kale. 
• Dip & Dunk: Think of Caesar as a richer alternative to ranch or ketchup. The semi-thick, creamy texture of our Caesar Dressing makes it a delicious choice for chicken nuggets, veggies, and other pop-in-your-mouth snacks or side dishes. Add a small bowl of Caesar next to the chips at a party. Tuck it into a charcuterie platter. Or serve it up to your kiddos as a sweet potato fry dip—they’ll love it!  
• Marinade & Skillet Sauce: Whip up an easy one-pan skillet or casserole with a bottle of Primal Kitchen Caesar or Plant-Based Caesar. Simply marinate meats and vegetables in the dressing before grilling or pour a bottle into a pan with poultry for quick and easy oven-baked Caesar Chicken Breasts.  
• Sandwich Spread: Like our best-selling Mayo with Avocado Oil, your favorite Caesar Dressing can double as a creamy sandwich spread. Spread it on a turkey club wrap instead of aioli, kick up the flavor of a classic BLT, or boost a veggie sandwich with a dollop of Plant-Based Caesar. 
• Pizza & Pasta: Caesar's savory garlic and lemon notes are a natural fit for pasta dishes and pizza. Cook up a meaty Chicken Caesar Pizza using the creamy dressing as a base, or pair Caesar Chicken Thighs with the fresh basil flavor of pesto pasta. 

Why Caesar is the King of Dressings

Caesar dressing is a culinary marvel that brings a burst of savory flavor to simple salads and classic comfort foods. With roots that trace back to the 1920s, this zesty dressing is traditionally made with simple ingredients like anchovies, egg, and garlic, creating the savory and crave-worthy taste that makes it so undeniably delicious. 

Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing takes this pantry staple and gives it a modern twist with no anchovies, dairy, artificial sweeteners, or seed oils. With its creamy, classic taste, our Caesar is made for more than just salads. Dip chips, dunk fries, marinate chicken, or spread it on sandwiches. No matter what you make with our Caesar, it’ll be the best-dressed dish on the table!