This easy homemade Caesar salad is crisp, creamy, and full of bold flavor, the kind of salad that somehow works as a quick lunch and a solid dinner side. With crunchy romaine, salty Parmesan, and a classic Caesar salad dressing you can whisk together in minutes, this is one of those recipes you’ll keep coming back to.
It’s simple enough to pair with a house salad situation, but also strong enough to stand next to steak, shrimp, or get wrapped up in a Caesar salad wrap.
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There’s a reason Caesar salad shows up on basically every restaurant menu. The combo of crisp lettuce, creamy dressing, garlic, anchovy, and Parmesan just works. It feels a little fancy, a little indulgent, and still totally familiar.
And fun fact for trivia night: if you’ve ever wondered where did the Caesar salad originate, it wasn’t Italy. It was created by Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restaurateur, in Tijuana, Mexico. Not planned, not pretentious, just really good food that stuck.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salad
- Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and refreshing; substitute with kale or mixed greens for variety.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty, salty flavor; pecorino Romano can be used for a sharper taste.
- Croutons: Use day-old bread, cubed, and toasted with olive oil, garlic, and salt or use a store-bough one.
For the Caesar Salad Dressing
- Olive Oil: The base of the dressing; use extra virgin for the best flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds brightness; substitute with vinegar if needed.
- Anchovy Paste: For that classic umami punch; omit if you prefer a milder taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth; soy sauce can be used as a substitute.
- Teaspoon Dijon Mustard: Gives a subtle tang; yellow mustard can be used in a pinch.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for a bold, savory flavor.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for that signature kick.
- Mayonnaise: For creaminess; can be replaced with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Parmesan Cheese: I used parmesan Reggiano.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Homemade Caesar Salad
- Make the Caesar Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, mayonnaise, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss the romaine lettuce with the homemade Caesar dressing until evenly coated.
- Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with more freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.
Variations to Try
- Shrimp Caesar salad – add grilled or sautéed shrimp
- Caesar salad steak – serve alongside or slice steak on top
- Caesar salad wrap – wrap it all up in a warm tortilla
- Kale Caesar – massage kale with dressing for a heartier version
- Vegetarian Caesar – skip anchovy paste and use vegan Worcestershire
What to Serve with Caesar Salad
- Grilled steak or chicken
- Pasta dishes like Cajun Shrimp Pasta (especially creamy ones) or Truffle Pasta
- Garlic bread or crusty bread
- Roasted vegetables
- As a side to comfort foods like mac and cheese
Top tip
Use freshly grated Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper. It’s a small thing that makes the salad taste restaurant-level instead of cafeteria-level.
Recipe FAQs
Caesar salad can be healthy depending on portion size and dressing. Making it at home lets you control the amount of Caesar salad dressing, cheese, and croutons, which helps balance calories and nutrition.
If you’ve ever wondered where did the Caesar salad originate, it was created in the 1920s by Caesar Cardini in Tijuana, Mexico, not Italy.
Yes. You can make a milder homemade Caesar salad recipe without anchovies, though they add the signature savory depth. Extra Worcestershire sauce helps replace some of that flavor.
Homemade Caesar salad dressing lasts up to 3 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.
Grilled chicken, shrimp , and steak are the most popular options. They turn the salad into a full, satisfying meal.
Romaine lettuce is best because it stays crisp and holds up well to creamy dressing without wilting.
Pasta Recipes To Try
More Salad Recipes
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Recipe Card
Easy Homemade Caesar Salad
Equipment
- 1 salad bowl
Ingredients
- 2 romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup croutons store bought
Caesar Salad Dressing
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 small garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste mashed into paste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano freshly grated
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make the Caesar Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, mayonnaise, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and creamy.2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 small garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss the romaine lettuce with the homemade Caesar dressing until evenly coated.2 romaine lettuce
- Add the Toppings: Sprinkle grated or shaved parmesan cheese over the salad and top with homemade croutons.½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, 1 cup croutons
- Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with more freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.
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