Caesar Salad Recipe

Classic Caesar Salad with crisp homemade croutons and a light caesar dressing – for when you want to impress your dinner guests.

If you love caesar recipes as much as we do, check out our creamy caesar dressing and caesar pasta salad.

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My son, David, is to thank for this recipe. He is 9 years old and took kids cooking classes at Sur La Table where he learned and fell in love with this caesar salad recipe, so we re-created it at home together.

Caesar Salad Recipe Ingredients:

Caesar salad is easy, classic and the ingredients are simple. You’ll need:

• 1 large or 2 small heads of romaine lettuce
• Parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
• Crisp croutons – homemade can be made several days ahead. The recipe below makes enough for 2 salads.
• Caesar salad dressing – homemade is best and here is our favorite store-bought dressing in a pinch

How to Make Croutons:

The crunchy homemade garlic croutons really elevate this salad, making it look and taste quite fancy. The cheese crusted onto each little toast will have you snacking on these croutons!

• Cut baguette in half lengthwise and slice into 1/4″ thick pieces and place on baking sheet.
• Combine 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil with minced garlic. toss breads with garlic infused oil and 2 Tbsp parmesan.
• Spread Evenly and Bake to desired crispness.

How to Make Caesar Salad Dressing:

The caesar salad dressing comes together so fast and all you need is a bowl and whisk. This Caesar dressing is light, healthy and packs so much fresh flavor without needing much salt at all.

• Whisk together minced garlic, dijon, Worcestershire, lemon juice and red wine vinegar.
• Whisking while adding oil emulsifies the dressing for a smooth and creamy (not oily) consistency.
• Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste.

Click here if you prefer a creamy Caesar dressing.

How to Make Caesar Salad:

In a large mixing bowl, combine all of your ingredients and toss gently to coat the lettuce in caesar dressing. This recipe makes enough croutons for two full salads so you’ll have them ready to go for round 2!

Cook’s tip: to get those lovely parmesan shavings, all you need is a block of parmesan and a potato peeler (Amazon affiliate link). It’s easy peasy!

More Romaine Salad Recipes to Discover:

• Chopped Chicken Salad – protein packed with a balsamic dressing
• Avocado Salmon Salad – with a zesty lemon dressing
• Chicken Mango Avocado Salad – Cheesecake Factory Copycat
• Avocado Shrimp Salad – crowd pleasing salad loaded with avocado

Caesar Salad Recipe

4.99 from 555 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Classic Caesar Salad with crisp homemade croutons and a light caesar salad dressing. 

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Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

Servings: 4 servings as a side salad

For the Croutons:

• 1/2 French Baguette, cut in half and thinly sliced (1/4" thick)
• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic, 2 small cloves
• 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Caesar Salad dressing:

• 2 small garlic cloves, minced (1 tsp)
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
• 1/8 tsp black pepper, plus more to serve

For the Caesar Salad:

• 1 large romaine lettuce, (or 2 small heads romaine)
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved

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Instructions

How to Make Croutons:

• Preheat oven to 350˚F. Cut the baguette in half lengthwise through the top of the baguette then slice diagonally into 1/4" thick pieces. Place the breads onto a baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tsp of finely minced garlic. Drizzle the garlic oil over the croutons and sprinkle the top with 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese.
• Toss until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer over the baking sheet and bake at 350˚F until light golden and crisp (10-12 minutes), or to desired crispness.

How to Make Caesar Salad Dressing:

• In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, dijon, Worcestershire, lemon juice and red wine vinegar.
• Slowly drizzle in extra virgin olive oil while whisking constantly.
• Whisk in 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, or season to taste.

How to Make Caesar Salad:

• Rinse, dry and chop or tear the romaine into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large serving bowl and sprinkle generously with shredded parmesan cheese and cooled croutons. Drizzle with caesar dressing and toss gently until lettuce is evenly coated.

Notes

Note on Nutrition Label - the croutons recipe makes enough for 2 full salads or 8 servings which is reflected in the "per serving" nutrition label. 

Nutrition Per Serving

289kcal Calories9g Carbs4g Protein26g Fat4g Saturated Fat9mg Cholesterol596mg Sodium56mg Potassium680IU Vitamin A1.9mg Vitamin C135mg Calcium0.8mg Iron

• Full Nutrition Label
• Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Caesar Salad Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

289

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

26

g

40

%

Saturated Fat

 

4

g

25

%

Cholesterol

 

9

mg

3

%

Sodium

 

596

mg

26

%

Potassium

 

56

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

 

9

g

3

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

680

IU

14

%

Vitamin C

 

1.9

mg

2

%

Calcium

 

135

mg

14

%

Iron

 

0.8

mg

4

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Caesar Salad, Caesar Salad Recipe

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 289