A delicious parmesan-garlic dressing is tossed with crisp lettuce, garlicky croutons, and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
You’ll love that this salad pairs with anything from steak to lasagna, or can be topped with grilled chicken for an easy meal.
A Caesar salad (also spelled Cesar, César and Cesare) is a green salad of romaine lettuce and croutons dressed with lemon juice (or lime juice), olive oil, eggs or egg yolks, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper.
The Best Ever Caesar Salad Dressing
This dressing is what makes this the best Caesar salad recipe. Caesar salad dressing is creamy, rich, and hands down my favorite dressing.
- Lemon juice, Garlic & Parmesan – Lemon juice adds bright, fresh flavor (use freshly squeezed from one lemon). Garlic and parmesan add savory flavor.
- Anchovy – Adds umami and a touch of brininess. The flavor is subtle but delicious. Replace whole anchovies with 1 teaspoon of anchovy paste or see the note below to make the Caesar salad dressing without anchovy.
- Egg – Raw egg and oil are is used in this dressing (much like homemade mayonnaise), I include both the raw egg yolk and white. If you don’t want to use raw egg, I would suggest making my Quick Caesar Salad Dressing.
- Oil is added in a very slow stream to thicken the dressing. Use a light-flavored oil like canola or light olive oil; extra-virgin olive oil can be a bit strong for this dressing.
Adding anchovy to this dressing is highly recommended for the best flavor. It’s salty, and briny, and if you add just the right amount, the salad isn’t fishy tasting. If you’ve never tried it before, I can’t recommend it enough – it’s truly delicious!
If you have leftover anchovies, place them in a small sandwich bag and freeze. They can be used directly from the freezer next time you make the dressing!
If anchovies aren’t your thing, no problem. Replace the anchovy with a tablespoon or so of extra capers for a similar briny, salty flavor.
- Lettuce: To make romaine lettuce extra crunchy, wash it, spin it dry in a salad spinner, and refrigerate if time allows; this makes it extra crunchy. Substitute kale to create a kale Caesar salad!
- Croutons: Homemade croutons are made by baking or quick frying your bread pieces in oil or butter on high for a short amount of time. They add an amazing crunch to Caesar salad.
- Garnish: Garnish the salad with parmesan cheese and fresh lemon wedges or even bacon bits or fried capers.
A Classic Caesar Salad Recipe
Caesar Salad was created in Tijuana, Mexico by Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant, in the 1920s. He created this salad using ingredients he had on hand and served it tableside. This version is my favorite variation.
- This salad is all about the dressing, and this homemade Caesar salad dressing is literally the best.
- The dressing can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time making it perfect for guests.
- Serve as a side or main dish. Pair this salad next to a steak or top it with grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a full meal. (Serve with garlic bread).
A classic Caesar salad recipe has a few basic components to it.
The Greatest Caesar Salad of All Time (2 Ways)
FAQ
Does Caesar contain cheese?
What is normally comes with Caesar salad?
Does Caesar salad contain dairy?
Which cheese is best for Caesar salad?
Parmesan is the traditional and most widely used cheese for Caesar salad due to its strong flavor and texture. Grated or shaved Parmesan adds a nutty, salty flavor that complements the other components of the salad perfectly. Parmesan works best when added shortly before serving, as it will get soggy if left in the dressing for too long.
Is Parmesan a good cheese for a Caesar salad?
Parmesan Parmesan contains sharp salty flavors and a hard texture that works perfectly when grated over a Caesar salad. It’s one of the most popular types of cheese used in traditional Caesar salads because it adds an intense flavor without overpowering other ingredients.
Can you add Swiss cheese to a Caesar salad?
Swiss cheese is sweet, mild, and nutty, with a texture that is both dense and creamy. It’s the perfect cheese to add to a Caesar salad, as it won’t overwhelm the other flavors and ingredients in the dish. To add Swiss cheese to your Caesar salad, simply top each serving with a few thin slices of cheese.
Which cheese is best for salad dressing?
An all-time favorite, cheddar is a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk. It can range in flavor from mild to sharp and everything in-between. Its mild flavor makes it an ideal ingredient for salad dressing, and its smooth texture makes it easy to pair with many types of salad ingredients.