If you want to boost the umami in your next salad, try this Miso Caesar Dressing. It comes together in about 5 minutes and is so flavorful you’ll want to put it on more than just salads. The rich layers of flavor also make it an excellent dip, spread, or sauce for roasted vegetables, bowls, wraps, and grilled chicken.
Up the flavor of Caesar dressing!
I first spotted miso Caesar dressing on a restaurant menu and knew I wanted to recreate it at home. After several tests and tweaks I landed on a version with a perfect balance of umami, salt, and bright acid.
Now it’s a regular in my fridge. It takes only five minutes to blend, so I make it often and use it on everything from salads and grain bowls to grilled meats. When I brought it to a neighbor’s birthday salad, everyone’s first reaction was “WOW!”
I can’t wait for you to try it and discover the same WOW factor in this miso Caesar dressing.
Key ingredients
The photo above shows the ingredients at a glance to help with shopping. Below are a few notes about key items. The full ingredient list with measurements appears in the recipe card below.
- White miso paste – also called shiro miso. This miso ferments for a shorter time, so it’s milder, slightly sweet, and less salty than darker miso varieties. I recommend white miso for this dressing because stronger misos can overpower the balance of flavors.
- Kewpie mayonnaise – any mayonnaise will work, but Japanese-style mayo like Kewpie is richer and creamier because it’s made with only egg yolks. It adds extra silkiness to the dressing, but use your preferred mayo if needed.
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. That’s it—super simple and packed with flavor.
Ways to use it
- Dip it — Use the dressing as a dip for raw vegetables, fries, or chicken tenders. Its creamy texture and savory depth make it a great snack or appetizer sauce.
- Toss it — For a classic Caesar-style salad, toss 4 cups of chopped romaine with about 1/4 cup of this dressing, then add Parmesan, croutons, and black pepper.
- Drizzle it — A little drizzle over roasted or grilled vegetables adds bright, savory flavor.
- Spread it — Spread the dressing on sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for an umami-packed boost. It pairs especially well with melty cheese, crisp lettuce, and seared meats.
It’s also delicious on grilled Caesar salad, in chicken Caesar tacos, tossed into pasta salad, drizzled over pizza, or used to finish grain bowls. The uses are endless—once you try it, you’ll likely want to add it to many meals.
Miso Caesar Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons miso paste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
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Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Unlike classic Caesar dressings, this version contains no anchovies, so it’s vegetarian-friendly.