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.
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
Classic Caesar Salad with crisp homemade croutons and a light caesar salad dressing.
Prep: 20min
Total: 30min
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 289 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 26 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 9 mg, Sodium 596 mg, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 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
- 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)
- 1 large romaine lettuce ((or 2 small heads romaine))
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (shredded or shaved)
Instruction:
- 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.
- Whisk in 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, or season to taste.
- 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.
The Best Homemade Caesar Salad
This really is the best homemade Caesar salad! With homemade croutons and a creamy homemade dressing.
Prep: 5min
Total: 15min
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 208 kcal, Carbohydrate 15 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 14 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 9 mg, Sodium 544 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 3 cups torn bread cubes (, about half of a small loaf)
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Heavy pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove of garlic (, minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 head romaine lettuce (, washed and torn or chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- Dressing
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (, grated, shaved or shredded)
- Croutons
Instruction:
- Set aside while you prepare the rest of the salad. Can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container.
- Store in the fridge until ready to use. Can be made at least 1 week in advance.
- Top with remaining croutons and cheese and serve immediately.
Classic Caesar Salad
A great Caesar salad recipe like this one gets its swagger from cold and crisp greens, a creamy and briny dressing, and freshly made croutons.
Yield: 6 Servings
Ingredients:
- 6 anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained
- 1 small garlic clove
- Kosher salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more
- ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups torn 1″ pieces country bread, with crusts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 romaine hearts, leaves separated
- Parmesan, for serving
Instruction:
- Chop together anchovy fillets, garlic, and pinch of salt. Use the side of a knife blade to mash into a paste, then scrape into a medium bowl. Whisk in egg yolks, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, and mustard. Adding drop by drop to start, gradually whisk in olive oil, then vegetable oil; whisk until dressing is thick and glossy. Whisk in Parmesan. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead.
- Preheat oven to 375°. Toss bread with olive oil on a baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden, 10–15 minutes.
- Place whole romaine leaves (for the ideal mix of crispness, surface area, and structure) in a large bowl. Use a vegetable peeler to thinly shave a modest amount of Parmesan (a mound of grated Parmesan may look impressive, but all that clumpy cheese mutes the dressing). Use your hands to gently toss together the lettuce, croutons, and dressing. Top with the shaved Parm.
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
My family loves this rich and creamy Caesar salad dressing. It’s not overly garlicky or fishy — it’s just right.
Total: 10min
Yield: Makes 1⅓ cups (enough for about 10 starter salads)
Serving Size: About 2 tablespoons
Nutrition Facts: servingSize About 2 tablespoons, calories 184, Fat 19g, Carbohydrate 1g, Protein 2g, Saturated Fat 1g, unSaturated Fat , Sugar 0g, Fiber 0g, Sodium 296mg, Cholesterol 13mg
Ingredients:
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (see note)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (I like the brand Maille)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann’s Real
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instruction:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Add the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined. Taste and adjust to your liking. The dressing will keep well in the fridge for about a week.
- Note: Anchovy paste can be found near the canned tuna in the supermarket.
Classic Homemade Caesar Salad Recipe
FAQ
What does a classic Caesar salad contain?
How does Gordon Ramsay make Caesar salad?
Parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved. Crisp croutons – homemade can be made several days ahead. The recipe below makes enough for 2 salads.
What kind of cheese do you put in a Caesar salad?