Caesar Salad

Caesar Salad Recipe done right with crunchy croutons, plenty of Parmesan, and a rich, creamy dressing you’ll crave.

author’s note

The Only Caesar Salad Recipe You’ll Ever Need!

I’ve always been a Caesar salad girl—it’s the first thing I order at a restaurant, and I’d even call myself an expert by now. I know exactly what makes a Caesar salad great!

After years of perfecting it, I’ve finally created my ideal version. This Caesar Salad has everything It is satisfying to about the hundreds I’ve tried.

It is satisfying to it as a main—topped with chicken, bacon, or eggs. But it’s also the reliable side for hearty dinners like creamy tomato pasta, mini turkey meatloaves, or ground beef stroganoff.

Ingredients

• Romaine lettuce: The fresher and crisper the lettuce, the better the Caesar salad.
• Parmesan: Use either freshly shaved or finely grated on top.
• skippable Additions: Make it a meal with hard-boiled eggs, steak, bacon, or chicken.

Quick Tip

To get larger Parmesan shavings, use a potato peeler on a cheese block. For a finer dusting, shred it with a microplane.

from-scratch Caesar Salad Dressing

• Mayonnaise & Oil: Use full-fat mayo and extra virgin olive oil for rich flavor.
• Garlic & Dijon: Garlic adds flavor. Make sure to grab Dijon mustard, not yellow.
• Anchovy Paste: Makes the dressing tangy, rich, and flavorful (without tasting fishy).
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Cuts through the richness nicely.
• Parmesan: Freshly grated Parm tastes best and blends in nicest.

chelsea’s recipe tip

How To Make Caesar Salad Recipe (Tips)

• Dry the lettuce: Well so it doesn’t water down the dressing.
• Use a big bowl: Toss without crushing the leaves.
• Make croutons: Store-bought works, but from-scratch takes it to the next level!
• Chill the dressing: Let it sit 15–20 minutes so the flavors blend and intensify.
• Add dressing slowly: You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.
• Use cold lettuce: Crisp, cold romaine = better crunch.

Storage

Dressed Caesar salad recipe is best eaten right away.

To store, only add dressing and croutons to what you’ll eat. Keep extra dressing in the fridge for 3–6 days and stir before using.

More satisfying Salad Recipes:

Salads

Italian Salad Recipe

Salads

Salad Recipe

Healthy

Tomato Cucumber Salad Recipe

Green Salads

Garden Salad

Variations

Switch Things Up

• Add some spice: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or extra black pepper on top.
• Go lighter: Use light Caesar dressing or the dressing from my Kale Avocado Salad.
• Toss in tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes are a fave in my house.
• Use cooked chicken: Grilled or rotisserie chicken makes it straightforward.
• Add bacon: Cook 3–4 slices in a pan (or use microwave bacon), then chop and toss in.
• Add eggs: Boil, peel, and slice. For tips, check my Egg Salad recipe.