This easy Caesar salad recipe is a simple yet tasty cold salad known for its crisp texture, tangy and savory flavors, and rich, creamy dressing.
Made with crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, creamy Caesar dressing, and topped with parmesan cheese, you really can’t go wrong with this light and refreshing side dish.
Have it as a quick and easy lunch, or a healthy weeknight dinner with some chicken, beef, or shrimp, this Caesar salad is sure to hit the spot.
In this salad, the romaine lettuce is chopped into bite-sized pieces and tossed with the dressing, croutons, and parmesan cheese, creating a delicious blend of rich flavors and crisp textures. My favorite part of Caesar salad, besides the croutons of course, is the creamy dressing made with garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, egg yolk, and olive oil.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Caesar Salad
- Romaine lettuce
- Croutons
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic
- Anchovies
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Egg yolk
- Olive oil
- Worcestershire sauce (optional)
How to make easy caesar salad
To make a simple and delicious Caesar Salad, you’ll need a few basic ingredients like lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, garlic, anchovy fillets, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, egg yolk, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
To start, chop a head of romaine lettuce and put it in a large salad bowl. Then, add the croutons and grated Parmesan cheese on top of the lettuce.
Next, prepare the Caesar Salad dressing by whisking together minced garlic, mashed anchovy fillets, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and egg yolk until well combined. While whisking continuously, slowly add olive oil to the mixture until a creamy dressing forms. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
Once the dressing is ready, pour it over the salad and toss well to coat the lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Be sure to mix everything well so that every bite is flavorful.
After you’ve mixed the salad, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Then, serve immediately and enjoy! If you prefer a heartier salad, you can also add grilled chicken or shrimp on top of the Caesar Salad.
What to serve with Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is great served as a side dish or as a main course depending on how it’s prepared. Here are some suggestions for dishes to serve with Caesar Salad:
Grilled Chicken: A classic pairing, grilled chicken is a great addition to Caesar salad. The protein adds some heartiness to the salad and the flavors complement each other nicely.
Shrimp Scampi: For a more upscale version, serve it with shrimp scampi. The garlicky butter sauce and plump shrimp are a perfect match for the tangy dressing and crunchy lettuce.
Steak: Another protein option is to have it with steak. Grilled or pan-seared, a juicy steak adds a hearty and flavorful element to the meal.
Soup: For a light lunch or dinner, enjoy your Caesar salad alongside a bowl of soup. Tomato soup, chicken soup, or any vegetable soup all work well.
Pasta: Caesar salad can also be served as a side dish to pasta. Try it with spaghetti carbonara or a simple marinara sauce.
Sandwiches: A Caesar salad is a great side dish to a sandwich. Try it with turkey and avocado, or a grilled cheese sandwich.
Occasions to serve Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is a versatile dish that can be served on many different occasions. Here are some examples:
Summer Barbecues: Caesar salad is refreshing and light, and goes well with grilled meats, making it a great addition to any summer barbecue or cookout.
Dinner Parties: Caesar salad is versatile enough to be served as a side dish or as a main course, depending on what you add to it.
Family Gatherings: Both adults and children love this crispy salad, making it the perfect choice for family get-togethers.
Potlucks: This easy-to-make Salad can be prepared ahead of time, and stored in the refrigerator until you need it. I recommend storing the prepared ingredients separately, and assembling the salad shortly before you’re ready to serve it.
Lunch Meetings: It’s great as a light and healthy lunch option that is perfect for business meetings and work lunches.
Picnics: Caesar salad is an easy and convenient choice for picnics because it can be easily transported. Just pack the salad in a container and you’re ready to go! Pack the creamy dressing in a separate container, so you don’t end up with a soggy, wilted picnic salad.
How to store Caesar Salad
Caesar salad should be stored properly to maintain its crispy textures, freshness, and flavor. Here are some tips on how to store it:
Store in an airtight container: This will prevent the salad from getting stale or soggy. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the salad without crushing the lettuce leaves.
Refrigerate immediately: Once the salad is prepared, refrigerated it immediately. The dressing can cause the lettuce to wilt, so it’s best to keep the salad as cold as possible, or only add the dressing just before serving.
Do not dress the whole salad: If you plan to store your Caesar salad for later use, it’s best not to dress the entire salad. Instead, store the lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese separately from the dressing. When you’re ready to serve, simply toss the ingredients together with the dressing.
Use within a few hours: This salad is best when it’s freshly made. If you store the salad in the refrigerator, it should be used within a few hours to enjoy it at its best.
Do not freeze: The ingredients in this salad don’t freeze well, especially the lettuce. It’ll lose its texture and become limp and watery when thawed.
Easy caesar salad FAQs
Can I make Caesar Salad ahead of time?
Can I substitute the anchovy fillets in the dressing?
Can I use a different type of lettuce for Caesar Salad?
Can I make Caesar Salad without raw eggs?
This recipe is easy to follow and can be prepared in 20 minutes or less, making it a great option for a quick and satisfying last-minute meal. So next time you’re looking for a delicious and customizable salad option, give this Caesar salad recipe a try!
Easy Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head of romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup of croutons
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 4 anchovy fillets mashed
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, mashed anchovy fillets, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and egg yolk until combined.
- While whisking continuously, slowly add the olive oil to the mixture until a creamy dressing forms. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Similar Recipes
- Easy Caesar Salad Recipe
- Panzanella Salad Recipe Without Mozzarella
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Taco Salad Recipe
Get our FREE Printable Meal Planner and other helpful goodies straight to your inbox!
