The Best High Protein Caesar Dressing

This high protein caesar dressing is creamy, zippy, and full of bold, savory flavor—thanks to real parmesan, tangy lemon, and a secret protein-packed base (hint: it’s not mayo). You’d never guess it’s made with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese—and it only takes 5 minutes to whip up!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s just something extra special about homemade dressing—it’s fresh, flavorful, and puts you in full control of the ingredients. You can skip the preservatives, avoid unnecessary sugar, and make it your own. This dressing is rich and creamy like a classic caesar but sneaks in a serious boost of protein with either cottage cheese or Greek yogurt.

I love it on a big chopped caesar salad, but it’s also amazing as a dip for veggie sticks or drizzled over grilled salmon. The umami hit from anchovy paste and sharpness from fresh garlic makes each bite totally crave-worthy. And the best part? It’s keto-friendly, low carb, and holds up beautifully in the fridge—perfect for meal prep. Try it alongside my shrimp Caesar salad for a macro-balanced meal that satisfies.

Try my dill pickle cottage cheese ranch for another protein-packed salad dressing!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cottage cheese or Greek yogurt: These creamy bases replace mayo while adding a punch of protein. Cottage cheese gives a slightly thicker texture, while Greek yogurt is a bit tangier.
• Mayo: Just a touch for that classic caesar richness—it rounds out the flavor without overpowering.
• Grated parmesan cheese: Adds saltiness and umami. Look for parmigiano reggiano if you want an extra depth of flavor.
• Olive oil: Helps emulsify and brings in healthy fats that keep you feeling full.
• Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang and helps the dressing come together smoothly.
• Lemon juice: Brightens everything up and balances the richness.
• Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic is a must. Don’t substitute with garlic powder here!
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth and enhances the caesar profile.
• Anchovy paste or anchovy filets: This is what gives caesar dressing its signature flavor. Trust me—it doesn’t taste fishy, just deeply savory.

How to Make This High Protein Caesar Dressing

Step 1: In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese (or Greek yogurt), parmesan, mayo, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. This should take about 30 seconds.

Step 2: Taste and adjust—add a bit more lemon for brightness, salt for punch, or a splash of water if you want it thinner.

Step 3: Transfer to a jar and chill for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors develop (and thicken up, if you like it for dipping).

How This Dressing Compares to Store-Bought

Most store-bought Caesar dressings contain less than 1 gram of protein per serving and come with added sugar, preservatives, or even weird thickeners. This homemade version gives you 2 grams of protein per tablespoon and is free from unnecessary fillers. Plus, the flavor is brighter, fresher, and far more satisfying.

Recipe FAQs

This creamy high protein caesar dressing is my go-to for quick weeknight salads, veggie trays, and even grilled proteins. It’s so easy to make, full of real ingredients, and packed with flavor. Give it a try and let me know how you use it in your meals—I’d love to hear!