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My Best Caesar Salad is a tangy well-balanced side for anything from a dinner party to a night in with the family. I make my family favorite crunchy homemade croutons and fresh creamy dressing for this amazing salad. My kids love to eat the leftover croutons and dip them in the extra dressing; this salad recipe is the gold standard in my home for dinner parties or a date night at home!
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
How to Make Homemade Caesar Salad
Caesar dressing is surprisingly simple to make with just a few fresh ingredients and a quick whisk or blend!
Caesar Recipe Ingredients
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- French Baguette, cut into ¼ inch cubes (½) – Day-old French baguette cubes create perfectly crunchy, rustic croutons.
- Olive oil (3 tbsp) – Olive oil coats the bread cubes to help them toast evenly and add rich flavor.
- Garlic (1 tsp) – Pressed garlic infuses the croutons with a bold, savory aroma.
- Parmesan cheese (2 tbsp) – Finely grated Parmesan adds a nutty, salty coating to the croutons.
- Oil packed anchovy filets (6) – Anchovy filets provide deep umami flavor and the signature punch in Caesar dressing.
- Garlic cloves (2) – Fresh garlic gives the dressing a sharp, pungent base.
- Sea salt (1 ½ tsp) – Sea salt enhances all the flavors and balances the dressing’s acidity.
- Mayo (2 tbsp) – Mayonnaise adds creaminess and helps emulsify the dressing without raw egg.
- Fresh lemon juice (4 tbsp) – Lemon juice brightens the dressing with a fresh, tangy note.
- Dijon mustard (1 ½ tsp) – Dijon mustard gives the dressing depth and helps it emulsify smoothly.
- Olive oil (½ cup plus 4 tbsp) – Olive oil forms the creamy backbone of the dressing and brings richness.
- Parmesan cheese (6 tbsp) – Parmesan blended into the dressing adds savory, cheesy complexity.
- Romaine lettuce (1 large) – Romaine lettuce offers crisp, sturdy leaves perfect for holding the bold dressing.
- Parmesan cheese (? cup) – Shaved Parmesan on top gives each bite a nutty, elegant finish.
Caesar Salad Instructions
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:
Make Croutons
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl combine the oil, garlic, salt, and parmesan cheese. Place the bread cubes in the oil mixture and toss, spread on the baking sheet evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through until light golden and crisp. Allow to cool completely
Make Dressing
Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Assemble Salad
Clean, spin, and dry the romaine lettuce. Place the lettuce in the salad bowl, top with the parmesan cheese and croutons and drizzle with the dressing.
Try these Salads Next
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Best Caesar Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Croutons
- ½ French Baguette, cut into ¼ inch cubes, day old
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp pressed garlic, or minced
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, finely grated
For the Caesar Dressing
- 6 oil packed anchovy filets
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 1 ½ tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp mayo
- 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ cup plus 4 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp parmesan cheese
For the Salad
- 1 large romaine lettuce
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl combine the oil, garlic, salt, and parmesan cheese.
- Place the bread cubes in the oil mixture and toss, spread on the baking sheet evenly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through until light golden and crisp. Allow to cool completely
- Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Taste the mixture and add more lemon or salt as needed.
- Clean, spin, and dry the romaine lettuce. Place the lettuce in the salad bowl, top with the parmesan cheese and croutons and drizzle with the dressing.
- Toss the salad to coat and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Caesar Salad
Use fresh romaine – Crisp, cold romaine hearts give the best texture and crunch.
Dry the lettuce thoroughly – Wet leaves dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.
Use high-quality Parmesan – Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano adds rich, nutty flavor.
Emulsify the dressing well – Whisk or blend slowly when adding oil to create a creamy consistency.
Balance anchovy flavor – Mash them finely or use anchovy paste to distribute flavor evenly.
Season the dressing carefully – Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice before dressing the salad.
Toss gently but thoroughly – Coat every leaf evenly without bruising the lettuce.
Serve immediately – Caesar salad is best served fresh before the croutons lose their crunch.
FAQs
While traditional Caesar dressing includes anchovies for umami flavor, you can use anchovy paste or Worcestershire sauce as milder alternatives—or omit them entirely for a vegetarian version.
You can prep the components (lettuce, croutons, dressing) in advance, but toss them together just before serving to prevent sogginess.
It usually stays fresh for up to 3–5 days when stored in an airtight container.
Store croutons in an airtight container at room temperature and only add them to the salad right before serving.
Yes, grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, or salmon are all popular additions that turn it into a hearty meal.
Yes, fresh Parmesan adds key flavor, but you can use Pecorino Romano or a vegetarian hard cheese if needed.
Absolutely—just use gluten-free bread for croutons or omit them altogether.
