No...it normally contains anchovies. (sometimes you can find it without) Or, you can easily make your own without anchovies.

And don't forget that some vegetarians do not eat eggs- so in addition to anchovies, eggs are an essential ingredient- it's a mayonnaise after all.

You can create a vegetarian alternative to Caesar dressing, but the anchovies are what gives it its unique flavor.

If you want a nice vegetarian Caesar Salad dressing without eggs or anchovies, try the recipe in the The Silver Palate New Basics Cookbook:


Caesar Dressing

1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine the lemon zest, juice, garlic and vinegar in a small bowl, and whisk well. Slowly add the olive oil, whisking constantly until smooth. Add the pepper and salt and set aside. Makes one cup.

I have seen a suggestion to use capers to give the dressing a salty hit, as a stand-in for the anchovies. Haven't tried it yet, but why not?