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Healthy Caesar Dressing is a lightened-up version of the classic salad dressing recipe flavored with lemon, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Made with Greek yogurt, so it’s still creamy and delicious. But without eggs and mayo to keep it lighter and healthier. Plus there are no anchovies!
When I first started blogging, I was in a number of groups where we all created recipes around a theme once a week or month. One month, I had to make something using the obscure treasures of the sea such as sea vegetables or the “little fishes” that are often forgotten.
Admittedly, I am not a big seafood person. Occasionally I’ll eat my Sesame Maple Glazed Salmon or some BBQ Shrimp. But little fishies? Especially little fishies that often come in cans or jars? I was hesitant.
So my approach to this was to hide some anchovies in a heavily-flavored Caesar salad dressing and pretend they weren’t there.
I do love using Greek yogurt to make healthier versions of everything from Honey Mustard Dip to Peruvian Aji Sauce. But the anchovy in that recipes kept my Greek yogurt Caesar Dressing recipe hidden in the depths of my blog.
But it was time. Time to make healthy Caesar dressing without anchovies. And without raw eggs and mayonnaise, for that matter. That means you can enjoy one of your all-time favorite salads with ingredients you probably have in your pantry and refrigerator. And it’s a pretty simple swap!
Healthy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe
This Caesar dressing recipe is lightened up by making it with Greek yogurt. And instead of anchovies in their original form, it uses Worcestershire sauce, which actually contains anchovies and is an easier way to add that umami flavor and a bit of saltiness.
Just like most typical recipes, this one also contains lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese to give it that familiar savory flavor you love.
Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!
What You’ll Need
- Plain Greek yogurt – use nonfat, lowfat, or whole milk yogurt depending on whether you want to cut calories or make a keto-friendly salad dressing.
- Fresh lemon juice – you can use bottles, but start with a little less because it can become bitter.
- Olive oil
- Worcestershire sauce – see the note below about ensuring your Worcestershire is gluten free, if needed.
- Garlic
- Salt
All you have to do is stir or shake all of the ingredients together in a bowl or jar and pour it over your salad!
You can even use it as a marinade or grill some Lemon Yogurt-Marinated Chicken . Then make some delicious Healthy Chicken Caesar Salads. Don’t forget the Baked Polenta Croutons for a gluten free option!
I love shaking up my favorite salad dressings in the OXO Salad Dressing Shaker!
Tips for Success
Be sure to keep your Caesar salad dressing tightly sealed in a container or jar and stored in the refrigerator. It will keep for several days.
This actually makes a great yogurt marinade for chicken. Greek yogurt keeps chicken moist and juicy while allowing the flavors to permeate. Just pour it over chicken in a plastic food storage bag. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. Then grill, bake, or cook in a skillet.
Gluten Free Tip: Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce in the United States is gluten free, but may not be in other countries. So be sure to check the brands available where you live to be sure it doesn’t have any gluten-containing ingredients.
More salad dressing recipes
Just like this healthy Caesar dressing, recipe, many of your favorite creamy dressings are easy to lighten up by using Greek yogurt. Reinvent the classics in a healthier way by trying these salad dressing recipes.
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
- Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing
- Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Creamy Maple Dijon Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing
- Lime Lemon Yogurt Dressing
- Greek Yogurt Green Goddess Dressing from Nutmeg Nanny
Healthy Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons Worcesteshire sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or crushed
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese, garlic, Kosher salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk together. Store in the refrigerator.
Is there any way around the Worcestershire sauce? I hate the stuff, and never buy it.
A splash of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar would give it that bit of umami flavor, but you could just skip it or add a little more lemon juice.
Made this tonight and absolutely loved it! It was really easy to make, flavorful, and much lower in fat than typical Caesar (what I was looking for).
Used it tonight on chicken Caesar salad and will be using it on wraps tomorrow!
This is so freakin good!! Tastes amazing :))
Amazing!!! So so soooo good and pretty darn close to the real deal!!! Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to try your others!!!
Awesome, thanks!
I thought this was an easy and tasty recipe! The only thing I added was a bit of black pepper.
Thanks Brianne! I look forward to trying more of your recipes!