CAESAR SALAD DRESSINGS — CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE®

Information updated June 2024

Caesar Salad Dressing is traditionally made using a combination of the following: Oil, Eggs or Egg Yolks, Capers, Parmesan Cheese, Black Pepper, Lemon, Anchovies, Worcestershire, Garlic, Salt, Mustard and Romano Cheese.

The good news: There are a few Caesar Dressings which are Closest To Homemade shown towards the end of this review.

The not-so-great news: Many of the leading brands of Salad Dressings have a Caesar version which contains multiple ingredients we would never use at home to make any Salad Dressing such as Chemical Preservatives, commercial Flavors, commercial Oils, Taste Enhancers, Corn Syrups and Added Colors.

MANUFACTURED PRESERVATIVES: Many Caesar Dressings contain Chemical Preservatives to maintain their freshness to extend their shelf life. Several of these Chemical Preservatives are banned at Whole Foods Market who cites them as “Unacceptable in food”. (Sources for Chemical Preservatives: U.S. FDA 2024; Sources ingredients: Brand Web sites 6/24; Source for banned ingredients: Amazon Whole Foods Web site 6/24)

Seen below, SOYBEAN OIL IS THE FIRST INGREDIENT: In many bottled Caesar Dressings, Soybean Oil is the primary ingredient. Soybean Oil is a cheap commercial oil which is Not In Kitchen™ >> Soybean Oil is not in our home kitchens.

In addition to the above, here are some Caesar Dressings which contain Soybean Oil:

COMMERCIAL NATURAL FLAVORS: Shown below, many manufactured Caesar Dressings contain added Natural Flavor(s). These Natural Flavors can contain elements to which many people have allergic reactions.

Following are some Caesar Dressings which contain added Color:

CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE CAESAR DRESSINGS: Following are some Closest To Homemade Caesar Dressings with no Added Flavors, Colors, Chemical Preservatives or Eggs. These include Dress It Up Caesar Dressing with Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese and no Gums or Sugar; Non-GMO Project Verified California Olive Ranch Caesar Vinaigrette sweetened with Cane Sugar made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese plus Xanthan Gum, and Non-GMO Project Verified Drew’s Organics Romano Caesar with Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil and Organic Romano Cheese plus Xanthan Gum with no added Sugar. (Sources for ingredients: Brand Web sites 6/24)

*Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list*

Following are a couple of other Closest To Homemade Caesar Dressings from Appalachian Naturals with Non-GMO Sunflower Oil and Parmesan Cheese with no Added Sugar or Egg, and Chosen Foods made with Avocado Oil and Organic Parmesan Cheese with no Egg and a tiny amount of Sugar in the Tamari Soy Sauce. (Sources: Brand Web sites 6/24)

CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE DAIRY FREE CAESAR DRESSINGS: Following are some Closest To Homemade Caesar Dressings with no Added Flavors, Colors, Chemical Preservatives, Soybean Oil, Canola Oil, Dairy or added Sugar. These include Newman’s Own Dairy Free Caesar with Avocado Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil with no Egg and Xanthan Gum, and Tessemae’s Organic and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free Creamy Caesar with no Gums made with Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Organic Cage Free Egg Yolks + Whole Egg. (Sources for ingredients: Brand Web sites 6/24)

HOMEMADE DRESSINGS: If you’re interested in making homemade Caesar Dressing or just adding a bit of Anchovy to a bottled dressing, here are some Anchovy Pastes which are Closest To Homemade:

Discover more food + beverages whose ingredients are Closest To Homemade in 275+ categories. Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list.

Closest To Homemade® Master List

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