This CAESAR SALAD RECIPE is the only salad recipe you’ll ever need! This is a CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD, simple and delicious. Everything is made from scratch, from the homemade croutons to the Caesar Salad Dressing. If you want to impress your guests or family, this amazingly flavorful and perfect Caesar Salad is the perfect starter to any delicious meal.
Caesar Salad Recipe
This Caesar Salad recipe is something everyone should keep on hand. A Classic Caesar Salad with homemade croutons and homemade Caesar Salad Dressing.
Some recipes are considered classics for a reason. They don’t need to be messed with or turned into complicated dishes. A Classic Caesar Salad is one of those recipes. It’s a go-to salad that you can throw together at a moment’s notice for any meal, and everyone loves a simple Caesar Salad!
I’m going to show you how to make this Caesar Salad recipe, and it’s so easy to do! Plus we’re going to make the whole thing from scratch to keep it extra fresh. I’ll tell you how to make Homemade Croutons AND how to make your own Caesar Salad Dressing. The flavors are so much better when everything is homemade!
This Caesar Salad recipe goes well with any meal, any dish, any time of year. Of course you’ll want to make it as a pre-dinner salad for your pastas dishes, but it’s just as good with these chicken recipes or on its own for a light lunch.
Learn how to make this Classic Caesar Salad Recipe with homemade Caesar Salad Dressing and Homemade Croutons!
A real Classic Caesar Salad recipe
A true Classic Caesar Salad is made with whole leaves of Romaine, drizzled with Caesar dressing, and topped with croutons and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The salad was meant to be eaten with your hands, leaf by leaf. Of course, most Caesar salads are made with chopped up Romaine lettuce, but I think it looks so much prettier this way! You can still eat it with a fork, but the whole leaves makes it feel a bit dressier, don’t you think?
What’s in a Caesar Salad? – Caesar Salad Ingredients
A Classic Caesar Salad recipe contains a few basic things. I love the flavor combination of all of these fresh ingredients mixed together into one simple yet delicious salad.
The main Caesar Salad Ingredients are:
- Romaine lettuce
- Croutons
- Caesar Salad Dressing
- Parmesan cheese
These ingredients can be found at any grocery store, and it’s so quick to throw them together into the perfect Caesar salad. But since we’re making our own Caesar salad dressing and croutons, we’ll need a few more things.
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe
The best part of this salad is the Caesar dressing. I wanted to make the entire thing from scratch instead of relying on store-bought ingredients…because it’s just more fun that way, isn’t it? This is the best homemade Caesar Salad Dressing recipe and it’s not as complicated as you might think.
Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients:
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Anchovies
- Salt & Pepper
Homemade Croutons for Caesar Salad
This classic salad wouldn’t be complete without the croutons! And we’re making those for ourselves too. I created this Homemade Croutons recipe for any salad, but it’s absolutely perfect for this homemade Caesar Salad. The croutons are baked instead of fried, making them a little bit healthier too.
To make the croutons, you’ll just need a baguette (or other bread), olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Head over to my Homemade Croutons Recipe for full instructions on how to make croutons for your Caesar Salad.
What to eat with Caesar Salad?
I love this classic Caesar salad because it really does go with EVERYTHING. It’s the perfect salad to pair with pasta dishes, like this Chicken Parmesan Pasta or Baked Pasta Primavera. But Caesar salad would also make a great pre-dinner salad for these chicken recipes, like this Caesar Chicken recipe or Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast.
This homemade Caesar salad could also be eaten alone as a quick, light lunch, or add this delicious homemade garlic bread to the side.
I know you’re gonna love this Classic Caesar Salad recipe with homemade croutons and homemade Caesar Salad dressing! It’s so simple, so fresh, and so delicious. You’ll be making it everyday with every meal before you know it.
See the recipe card below for full details on how to make a Classic Caesar Salad. Enjoy!
Caesar Salad Recipe
This CAESAR SALAD RECIPE is the only salad recipe you’ll ever need! This is a CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD, simple and delicious. Everything is made from scratch, from the homemade croutons to the Caesar Salad Dressing. If you want to impress your guests or family, this amazingly flavorful and perfect Caesar Salad is the perfect starter to any delicious meal.
For the Caesar Dressing:
- 3 anchovies packed in oil, drained
- 2 large eggs
- 2 medium cloves garlic halved
- 1½ tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
For the Lettuce:
Remove the large outer leaves from the lettuce, discard or save for another use.
Wash and gently dry the remaining lettuce leaves.
Carefully wrap the leaves in paper towels and refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the Caesar Dressing: Have all salad dressing ingredients ready.
In a small bowl, soak the anchovies in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. Drain and pat the anchovies dry. Mince the anchovies and mash to form a paste; set aside.
While anchovies soak, bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Pierce a tiny hole in the large end of each egg with a pushpin. Boil the eggs exactly 75 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon.
Rub the inside of a salad bowl with the cut sides of the garlic cloves.
Crack the eggs into the bowl and remove any whites clinging to the shells. Whisk the eggs and gradually add the lemon juice. Add mashed anchovies, Worcestershire, dry mustard and freshly ground black pepper; whisk to combine. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow drizzle until emulsified. Season with salt and more pepper, if needed. Keep dressing refrigerated, in an airtight glass container, until ready to serve. *See note.
To Serve:
If making a chopped salad, tear large leaves into smaller pieces and keep the smaller leaves intact.
If using whole leaves only, use leaves no bigger than 7 inches long.
Place the lettuce in a large bowl and drizzle with desired amount of dressing. Gently mix. Add 1-cup croutons and grated Parmigiana; toss gently.
Transfer salad to preferred salad bowl and sprinkle with additional croutons and shaved Parmigiana.
Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
*Note: If the dressing thickens when refrigerated, thin to desired consistency; whisk in small equal amounts of lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and oil. Whisk until smooth and desired consistency.
Nutrition Facts
Caesar Salad Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 404 Calories from Fat 288
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 49%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 89mg 30%
Sodium 277mg 12%
Potassium 452mg 13%
Total Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 5g
Protein 10g 20%
Vitamin A 30.5%
Vitamin C 12.4%
Calcium 14.9%
Iron 13.8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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