I used to think Caesar dressing had to come from a bottle. Then I looked at the labels. Sugar, soybean oil, and weird starches that have no business being near romaine. So I made my own—and now I don’t even miss the junky stuff.
This version? Creamy, tangy, loaded with garlic and umami from anchovy paste. No carbs you didn’t sign up for. And yes—it makes even bagged lettuce feel like a real meal.
Why This One Works So Well
Most homemade dressings fall apart because they’re either too oily or too bland. This one balances the fat (from mayo and olive oil) with the acid (lemon juice) and salty umami (anchovy + Worcestershire). It clings to lettuce like a champ and doubles as a marinade for chicken or shrimp.
Also: No dairy, no added sugar, and 100% keto macros.
What Packs Flavor Without the Carbs
- Mayonnaise (300g / 1 ¼ cups) – Fat base, zero carbs, makes it ultra creamy. I use one with avocado oil—no seed oils, no junk.
- Olive oil (6 tbsp) – Thins it just enough and adds depth. Don’t swap this for coconut oil unless you like Caesar dressing that tastes like sunscreen.
- Lemon juice (2 tbsp) – Brightens it up. Balances the fat like a good acid should.
- Anchovy paste (2 tbsp) – Don’t skip this. It’s the secret weapon for that classic Caesar punch without chunks of fish.
- Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos, 2 tbsp) – Brings that sweet-salty magic. Just check the label if you’re hardcore keto—some have sneaky sugar.
- Garlic (6 cloves, minced) – Go fresh or go home. Garlic powder doesn’t cut it here.
- Sea salt + Black pepper (¼ tsp each, or to taste) – You probably won’t need much more once the anchovies and Worcestershire do their thing.
Keto Swaps That Actually Work
Swap | Works? | Notes |
---|---|---|
Coconut aminos for Worcestershire | ✅ | Slightly sweeter, but solid if you’re avoiding gluten or sugar |
Greek yogurt for mayo | ⚠️ | Technically works, but bumps the carbs and tang—be ready to rebalance |
Anchovy filets instead of paste | ✅ | Use about 4–5 and mash well. Same flavor, more rustic texture |
Keto Missteps and How I Fixed Them
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Dressing turned too thick | Some mayo brands are extra firm | Add 1–2 tsp water or more lemon juice to loosen it |
Tasted weirdly bland | Skimped on garlic or used powder | Use fresh garlic and don’t be shy |
Separated in the fridge | Natural oils separating | Just give it a good stir—or blend before storing |
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- Whisk everything in a mixing bowl until smooth—mayo, oil, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire (or aminos), garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Taste and tweak. Want it zingier? Add lemon. More salty punch? A dab more anchovy.
- Let it rest. 10 minutes minimum in the fridge. Overnight? Even better.
- Use or store. Great on salads, grilled chicken, or as a dip for raw veggies. Keeps 5 days in the fridge, tightly sealed.

My Go-To Low-Carb Hacks
- I blend this in a bullet blender for max creaminess and zero garlic chunks.
- I pre-mix a double batch and freeze half in silicone ice cube trays—perfect for single salads or emergency Caesar cravings.
- I always portion into 2-tbsp servings (30g) so I can track it without guesstimating.
Keeping It Keto-Friendly All Week
- Fridge life: 5 days, max. After that, the garlic gets funky.
- Stir before using: Natural oils may separate, especially if you skipped the blender trick.
- Freezer tip: Freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaws fast and tastes just as fresh.
Can I Eat This on Keto? (Yes, Here’s Why)
- Net carbs per serving (2 tbsp): About 1g, depending on your mayo and Worcestershire.
- Spikes blood sugar? Nope—just watch for sneaky sugar in condiments.
- Can I use coconut oil? Please don’t. It doesn’t blend well and the flavor is… not it.
- Can I skip anchovy paste? You can, but you’ll miss that signature Caesar taste.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving – 2 tbsp / 30g
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 173 kcal |
Total Fat | 19 g |
– Saturated Fat | 1.34 g |
Cholesterol | 4.25 mg |
Sodium | 48.33 mg |
Potassium | 2.42 mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 1 g |
– Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
– Sugars | 0 g |
Protein | 1 g |
Net Carbs | 1 g |
Check out More Recipes:
- Low Carb Keto Thousand Island Dressing
- Low Carb Keto Cheese Sauce Recipe
- Low Carb Keto Tahini Sauce Recipe

Low Carb Keto Caesar Dressing Recipe
Description
Creamy, garlicky, and keto-friendly Caesar dressing made with mayo, olive oil, and anchovy paste—perfect for salads, dips, or low-carb marinades.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whisk everything together in a bowl until smooth.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- Let it rest for at least 10 minutes in the fridge.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- I blend this in a bullet blender for max creaminess and zero garlic chunks.
- I pre-mix a double batch and freeze half in silicone ice cube trays—perfect for single salads or emergency Caesar cravings.
- I always portion into 2-tbsp servings (30g) so I can track it without guesstimating.