Creamy Garlic and Caper Salad Dressing Recipe

Garlic lovers rejoice, because today we’re whipping up a creamy garlic dressing that features the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean. Our Creamy Garlic and Caper Salad Dressing Recipe is bursting with bold savory notes and zesty essences, making this dressing a delightful addition to any salad. It also works great as a dip with things like pitas, crostini, or crusty Italian bread. It’s also delicious drizzled over charcuterie, or as the dip to a veggie platter.

This creamy dressing is a mix of roasted garlic, briny capers, and tangy apple cider vinegar. The addition of honey adds a touch of sweetness, balancing out the savory and acidic elements, creating a deliciously balanced garlic vinaigrette.

Inspired by the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, this dressing brings a taste of Hellenic cuisine right to your table. Whether drizzled over crisp greens, tossed with grilled vegetables, or used as a marinade for chicken or fish, this delicious dressing is a super simple way to elevate almost any dish with a little Mediterranean flair.

However, what really sets this recipe apart is just how simple it is to make. With just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients and a quick whirl in the food processor, you can whip up this delicious vinaigrette in no time. That makes it perfect for quick salads on busy weeknights.

So, without further delay, grab your apron and let’s get to it.

Creamy Garlic and Caper Salad Dressing Recipe – What to Expect

• Overview: Homemade salad dressing is one of the easiest ways to up your kitchen game. This recipe creates a creamy garlic dressing that’s perfect for adding a burst of Mediterranean-inspired taste to your salads and dishes. It works great as a dip, a dressing for salads, or a marinade.
• Taste and Texture: In terms of taste, this homemade dressing offers a blend of bold and savory flavors, with the brininess of capers, the rich aroma of grilled garlic, the tanginess of apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sweetness courtesy of the honey. The addition of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese adds a layer of depth and umami richness. Texture-wise, the dressing is thick and creamy, but also a tad coarse, with small bits of capers and garlic dispersed throughout, providing a delightful contrast to the smoothness of the olive oil.
• Salad Pairings: This versatile dressing pairs exceptionally well with a variety of salads, especially those featuring robust greens like arugula or kale, as well as salads with ingredients like roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or seafood. It would also pair deliciously drizzled over a simple caprese salad.
• Storage: This dressing should keep well for about 1 to 2 weeks when stored properly in an airtight container or a tightly sealed mason jar in the refrigerator. Over time, the flavors may continue to meld and intensify, enhancing the taste of the dressing even further. However, it's essential to check for any signs of spoilage, such as changes in color, odor, or texture, before using it.
• Difficulty Level: This dressing is super simple to prepare, making it accessible even for beginner home chefs.

Ingredient Checklist – Everything You’ll Need

• 2 tablespoons capers (not drained)
  • Note: Use capers packed in brine for the best flavor.
  • Substitution: If you prefer, a few anchovy fillets can be substituted in place of the capers.
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • Note: I strongly recommend a good quality extra virgin olive oil, as this is the base of the dressing, and the flavor of the oil does indeed come through in the finished product.
  • Substitution: If preferred, you can use avocado oil or grapeseed oil as alternatives, but these really won’t work as well as a high-quality olive oil.
• 4 large cloves of garlic, grilled
  • Note: Grilling the raw garlic adds a smoky flavor to the dressing.
  • Tip: Use a dry cast iron pan for grilling the garlic cloves. Yes, you can use as much garlic as you like.
• 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Note: Apple cider vinegar provides a tangy acidity to balance the flavors.
  • Substitution: You can use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or even lemon juice or lime juice as alternatives.
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated
  • Note: The cheese adds a savory umami flavor to the dressing.
  • Substitution: You can use Pecorino Romano cheese as an alternative to Parmesan.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Note: Adjust the amount of salt based on your preference.
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • Note: Coarse black pepper adds a bold, peppery flavor and texture to the dressing.
  • Tip: As always, I do recommend grinding it fresh, or even crushing it in a mortar and pestle to maximize its aroma.
• 2 tablespoons honey
  • Note: Honey balances the acidity and adds a touch of sweetness to the dressing.
  • Tip: Since the honey is being consumed raw, this is a perfect recipe to use your favorite gourmet honey.
  • Substitution: If preferred, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar as alternatives for sweetness.

Salad Pairings

• Mediterranean Salad: Salad featuring ingredients such as romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese would complement the savory and tangy notes of today’s dressing. Other ingredients such as fresh mozzarella, basil, and oregano are also excellent pairing notes for this dressing. As an example, see my Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons.
• Grilled Vegetable Salad: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and onions, served over mixed greens, would be delicious with this dressing. The smokiness of the grilled vegetables would complement the charred garlic flavor in the dressing.
• Arugula Salad: Peppery arugula leaves paired with sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, and goat cheese would create a rich and vibrant salad. The sweet and tangy notes of the dressing would provide a delightful contrast to the peppery arugula and juicy strawberries.
• Kale Salad: Kale leaves combined with roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds would make a hearty salad pairing.
• Quinoa Salad: A simple quinoa salad with fresh cilantro, red onions, celery heart, Korean red pepper, and butter beans would be a delicious pairing. As an example, see my Quinoa and Bean Salad.

Creamy Caper and Garlic Salad Dressing FAQ

Recipe Card powered by

And that’s our Caper and Garlic Dressing. If you enjoyed today’s recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you.

Happy Cooking!