How Many Calories in Caesar Dressing? Nutrition Facts & Macros
Two tablespoons of Caesar dressing (30 g) have 163 calories
Protein 0.7g · Carbs 1g · Fat 17.3g
Caesar dressing is a classic salad dressing made from oil, egg yolk, anchovies, parmesan, garlic, and lemon juice. It is extremely calorie-dense at 542 kcal per 100 g — significantly more than ranch dressing (430 kcal) and over three times more than a basic vinaigrette (~160 kcal). The fat content is enormous at 57.8 g per 100 g, with 8.79 g of saturated fat and 39 mg of cholesterol. Sodium is also very high at 1210 mg per 100 g — over half the recommended daily limit. Caesar dressing is about 34% water by weight.
2268 kJ · per 100g · Water: 34.32 g
Calorie Calculator: Caesar Dressing
30 g Caesar Dressing contains 163 kcal
Calories by Portion Size
| Portion | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (15 g) | 81 kcal | 0.3g | 0.5g | 8.7g |
| 2 tablespoons / 1 serving (30 g) | 163 kcal | 0.7g | 1g | 17.3g |
| 100 grams | 542 kcal | 2.2g | 3.3g | 57.8g |
Caesar Dressing — Nutrition Facts
| Caesar Dressing | per 100g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 542 kcal |
| Protein | 2.17 g |
| Fat | 57.8 g |
| Carbs | 3.3 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 2.81 g |
| Sodium | 1210 mg |
| Potassium | 29 mg |
| Magnesium | 2 mg |
| Phosphorus | 19 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0.3 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.025 mg |
| Folate | 2 mcg |
| Manganese | 0.038 mg |
| Water | 34.32 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC ID: 169055) · Data verified April 2026
Variations
Regular (default)
542 kcal per 100 g. The classic full-fat Caesar dressing with 57.8 g fat and 1210 mg sodium per 100 g. Made from oil, egg yolk, anchovies, parmesan, garlic, and lemon juice. The traditional choice for Caesar salads.
Light (reduced fat)
Approximately 200 kcal per 100 g. Reduced-fat Caesar dressing with less oil and more water-based thickeners. Fat drops to about 18-20 g per 100 g, but carbs may increase to 8-10 g due to added starches and sugars. A middle ground between full-fat and yogurt-based — fewer calories but less authentic flavor and texture.
Yogurt-based
Approximately 120 kcal per 100 g. Made with Greek yogurt instead of oil, dramatically cutting fat from 57.8 g to about 5 g per 100 g. Protein increases to about 6-8 g from the yogurt. Retains the anchovy-parmesan-garlic flavor profile. The healthiest Caesar dressing option — about 78% fewer calories than regular. Best made at home for fresh flavor.
Dietary Perspectives
For Weight Loss
Caesar dressing is the number one salad saboteur — at 542 kcal per 100 g, it is more calorie-dense than ranch dressing (430 kcal). Two tablespoons (30 g) add 163 kcal, but most people pour 4 or more tablespoons (326+ kcal). A "healthy" Caesar salad with 4 tablespoons of dressing can easily exceed 500 kcal — more than a burger. For weight loss: use 1 tablespoon max (81 kcal), try yogurt-based Caesar (~120 kcal per 100 g), or dress your salad with lemon juice, a tiny drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of parmesan for the Caesar flavor at a fraction of the calories.
For Athletic Performance
Caesar dressing is not useful for athletes — it is pure fat calories with no protein or micronutrients to support performance or recovery. The 57.8 g of fat per 100 g provides 520 kcal from fat alone, with negligible protein (2.17 g) and almost no carbs (3.3 g) for muscle glycogen. The extremely high sodium (1210 mg per 100 g) exceeds post-workout electrolyte needs per serving. Athletes are better off getting their fats from whole food sources like avocado, nuts, and olive oil that also provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
For Keto
Caesar dressing is excellent for keto — with only 2.8 g net carbs per 100 g (3.3 g total carbs minus 0.5 g fiber), it is one of the most keto-friendly salad dressings available. Two tablespoons (30 g) have just 0.84 g net carbs with 17.3 g fat — a perfect keto ratio. The high-fat, ultra-low-carb profile fits keto perfectly. Use it generously on your keto salads — it adds satisfying fat that helps you stay full. Check labels on commercial brands, as some add sugar or maltodextrin. Always choose full-fat Caesar, never light versions which replace fat with carb-based thickeners. Homemade Caesar with olive oil, egg yolk, anchovy, and parmesan is the ideal keto option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Caesar dressing?
Two tablespoons of Caesar dressing (30 g) — a standard serving — contain about 163 calories. Per 100 g, Caesar dressing has 542 kcal (2268 kJ). That is 26% more than ranch dressing (430 kcal per 100 g) and more than three times a basic vinaigrette (~160 kcal). Nearly all the calories come from fat (57.8 g per 100 g), with minimal carbs (3.3 g) and protein (2.17 g). Most people pour more than 2 tablespoons on a salad, easily exceeding 250 kcal from dressing alone.
How much fat is in Caesar dressing?
Caesar dressing contains 57.8 g of fat per 100 g — over half its weight is pure fat. A single tablespoon (15 g) has 8.7 g of fat, and a standard 2-tablespoon serving (30 g) delivers 17.3 g of fat. Of the total fat, 8.79 g is saturated fat per 100 g, with 39 mg of cholesterol from the egg yolk and anchovy base. For comparison, ranch dressing has 44.5 g fat per 100 g — Caesar has nearly 30% more fat than ranch.
Is Caesar dressing healthy?
Caesar dressing is not healthy by most nutritional standards. At 542 kcal and 57.8 g of fat per 100 g, it is one of the most calorie-dense condiments available. The sodium content (1210 mg per 100 g) is excessive — a 2-tablespoon serving provides 363 mg, about 16% of the daily limit. It offers almost no vitamins, minimal fiber (0.5 g), and negligible protein (2.17 g). If you want Caesar flavor without the calorie bomb, try a yogurt-based Caesar dressing (~120 kcal per 100 g) or make your own with Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, and a small amount of parmesan.
Caesar dressing vs ranch — which has more calories?
Caesar dressing has significantly more calories: 542 kcal per 100 g versus 430 kcal for ranch. Caesar also has more fat (57.8 g vs 44.5 g) and more sodium (1210 mg vs 1094 mg). Ranch has more carbs (5.9 g vs 3.3 g) due to added buttermilk solids. Per 2-tablespoon serving, Caesar adds about 163 kcal versus ranch's 129 kcal — a 26% difference. If you are counting calories, ranch is the lighter choice, but neither is low-calorie. A simple vinaigrette (~160 kcal per 100 g) beats both by a wide margin.
Is Caesar dressing keto-friendly?
Yes — Caesar dressing is excellent for keto. With only 2.8 g net carbs per 100 g (3.3 g total carbs minus 0.5 g fiber), it fits perfectly within keto macros. A 2-tablespoon serving (30 g) has just 0.84 g net carbs with 17.3 g of fat — an ideal keto ratio. The high-fat, very-low-carb profile makes it one of the best salad dressings for keto. Use it generously on your keto salads. Just make sure to check labels — some commercial brands add sugar. Always choose full-fat versions, not light.
How can I make Caesar dressing healthier?
The easiest swap is yogurt-based Caesar dressing, which cuts calories from ~542 to ~120 kcal per 100 g by replacing most of the oil with Greek yogurt. You keep the anchovy-parmesan-garlic flavor but slash the fat from 57.8 g to about 5 g. At home, blend Greek yogurt with a teaspoon of olive oil, anchovy paste, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and grated parmesan. Another option is to use less — measure 1 tablespoon (15 g, 81 kcal) instead of pouring freely. Light Caesar dressing (~200 kcal per 100 g) is a middle ground.
Compare with Similar Foods
| Portion | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caesar Dressing | 542 | 2.17g | 3.3g | 57.8g |
| Ranch Dressing | 430 | 1.32g | 5.9g | 44.5g |
| Olive Oil | 884 | 0g | 0g | 100g |
| Mayonnaise | 680 | 0.96g | 0.57g | 74.85g |
| Parmesan (Hard) | 392 | 35.75g | 3.22g | 25g |
per 100g
Per 100 g, Caesar dressing has 542 kcal with 57.8 g of fat, 3.3 g of carbs, and 2.17 g of protein. Compared to ranch dressing (430 kcal, 44.5 g fat) it has 26% more calories and 30% more fat. A basic vinaigrette (~160 kcal) has less than a third of the calories, making it the lightest common salad dressing option.