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Keto Caesar Dressing (Low-Carb, Anchovy-Free)

This Keto Caesar Dressing is what I make when I want the real thing without the hidden carbs most bottled versions sneak in. Egg yolks, Parmesan, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce whisk into a thick, garlicky dressing in about ten minutes, no anchovies required.

keto Caesar dressing salad in a bowl.

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I make this one whenever a plain green salad needs more reason to eat it. Most commercial Caesar dressings carry soybean oil, corn syrup, maltodextrin, and sometimes straight sugar, all things that add up fast if you’re watching carbs closely.

You can make this by hand, in a blender, or with an immersion blender, whatever equipment you already have on the counter.

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Chef Jenn’s Take on Keto Caesar Dressing

Most people assume bottled Caesar dressing is a fairly harmless, savory condiment. It’s usually not. A lot of leading brands are loaded with soybean oil, corn syrup, maltodextrin, and straight sugar, ingredients that have no business being in a dressing that’s supposed to taste like garlic, cheese, and lemon.

Go easier on the garlic than you might expect. It carries more carbs than most people assume for something used mostly as a seasoning, so a little restraint there keeps the whole dressing solidly low-carb. For more homemade keto dressings and sauces like this one, check out my Sauces / Spices / Dressings collection.

What You’ll Love About Keto Caesar Dressing

  • It tastes noticeably better than anything bottled, richer and more garlicky without the flat, oily aftertaste some store versions have.
  • It’s genuinely versatile, works as a salad dressing, a dip, or spooned over grilled chicken when you want more flavor on the plate.
  • It comes together in about ten minutes with just seven ingredients, so there’s no excuse to reach for the bottled stuff instead.

Ingredients

Labeled ingredients to make keto caesar dressing.
  • Egg yolks – Use pasteurized eggs if raw yolks make you nervous.
  • Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated has noticeably more flavor than the pre-shredded bag.
  • Garlic – Grated finely on a microplane. Go lighter than you think, garlic carries more carbs than most seasonings.
  • Lemon juice – Adjust to taste.
  • Dijon mustard
  • Soy sauce
  • Avocado oil – Olive oil works as a substitute.
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper – Season to taste.

How To Make The Best Keto Caesar Salad Dressing by Hand

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

By hand: add the egg yolks, Parmesan, grated garlic, lemon juice, Dijon, and soy sauce to a bowl and whisk well to combine. Drizzle the avocado oil in slowly while whisking vigorously, until the mixture thickens into a smooth emulsion.

In a blender or food processor: pulse the egg yolks, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon, and soy sauce until combined, then slowly stream in the oil with the machine running on medium-high until thick and emulsified. With an immersion blender: combine everything in a bowl, then blend while slowly drizzling in the oil until a thick dressing forms.

Season with salt and pepper, then serve over greens.

keto caesar salad ingredients in a blender

Make It A Meal

I toss this with romaine and crispy bacon for the classic version, or drizzle it over Greek Salad when I want a different green base. It also works well alongside heartier mains like Turkey & Peppers or Salmon Lemon Herb Butter Sauce as a side salad. If you want another simple salad in the rotation, Classic Caprese Salad makes a good pairing on the same table.

Storage

Store leftover dressing tightly covered in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. The garlic flavor intensifies the longer it sits, so taste before using if it’s been a day or more. This dressing doesn’t freeze well.

Frequently asked questions

Is this dressing safe to eat with raw egg yolks?

If raw eggs concern you, use pasteurized eggs instead, which carry the same texture and flavor without the food safety worry.

Why does the recipe say to go easy on the garlic?

Garlic carries more carbs than most people expect for something used mainly as a seasoning, so using a bit less keeps the dressing solidly low-carb without losing much flavor.

Can I use this dressing for something besides salad?

Yes, it works well as a dip for raw vegetables or spooned over grilled chicken for extra flavor.

Why is this recipe anchovy-free when traditional Caesar dressing usually has anchovies?

This version skips anchovies entirely, so it works for anyone avoiding seafood while still delivering the same rich, garlicky flavor traditional Caesar dressing is known for.

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Keto Caesar Dressing

Thick, creamy, garlicky and pretty nearly perfect keto Caesar Dressing will transform your greens into a masterpiece! Make your low carb Caesar salads with this dressing and add some flavor to your day!
Course Sauces / Spices / Dressings
Cuisine European
Keyword anchovy-free caesar dressing, easy keto salad dressing, homemade keto dressing, keto caesar dressing, low-carb caesar dressing
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 300kcal
Author Chef Jenn

Ingredients

  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup avocado oil

Instructions

  • Add the egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, grated garlic, Dijon mustard and soy sauce to a bowl and mix well.
  • While whisking vigrously, streadm in the avocado oil until all combined in a thick emulsion.
  • Season with salt and cracked black pepper and serve over greeens.

Notes

Recipe Card Tips

  • If the dressing turns out too thick, thin it with a tablespoon or two of water rather than more oil, which can make it heavier instead of pourable.
  • Go easier on the garlic than you’d think. It carries more carbs than most seasoning ingredients, so a lighter hand keeps the dressing solidly low-carb.

Nutrition

Serving: 3tablespoons | Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 202mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 0.4mg | Net Carbohydrates: 2g

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

WANT EVEN MORE EASY KETO DIET RECIPES?

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Jenn

Hi, I’m Jenn!

I’m a cookbook author (Keto Soup Cookbook and Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan) as well as a retired chef, recipe developer, and writer of this blog (that’s a lot of hats!). I embarked on a journey to create foodie-worthy Keto-friendly meals that any home cook can be proud of! No matter if you’re low-carb, no-carb, dirty, or strict Keto, there are recipes in Keto Cooking Wins for you and your family. Read more...

6 thoughts on “Keto Caesar Dressing (Low-Carb, Anchovy-Free)”

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve been craving a Caeser salad lately. Thank you for this delicious keto dressing! So much better than store bought!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I stopped buying Caesar salad because of all the additives and sugar it has. I tried this recipe and absolutely loved it. It’s so easy to make and tastes so much better than the store-bought ones.

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    I love Caesar salad but usually can’t eat the croutons, so I love using the dressing in other places. This was really easy to make in the blender and to use everywhere I want something creamy.

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    Not only was this easier and tastier than any storebought Caesar we’ve ever had, but you also would NEVER guess that it is keto! Another winner in our books!

    Reply
  5. 5 stars
    I am so happy to see a keto version of Caesar dressing. Thank you for using avocado oil in it. It’s now my favorite oil. This salad and dressing is super easy and delicious.

    Reply
  6. 5 stars
    I love Caesar salad. This dressing was so easy to put together and super happy that it did not have all those hidden sugars that the store bought stuff has. This was my first time making this dressing. Will definitely be making it more often from here on.

    Reply
5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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