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This Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe is perhaps the easiest one out there. It uses simple ingredients and is made entirely from scratch—the dressing, croutons, and all! And let’s face it: Nothing pairs with a hearty dinner like a classic crunchy and creamy Caesar Salad.
Whenever I need a winning salad recipe, this homemade Caesar never fails, whether we’re having a casual fried chicken dinner or tender and juicy beef tenderloin for more special occasions. Then of course, you can always add Grilled Chicken or Crispy Salmon Bites and make the salad the whole meal!
Caesar Salad is one of my family’s favorites—except for the hubby. I suspect it’s the anchovies, but no one understands why he could possibly not like it! What is not to like about fresh garlic, Parmesan cheese, and crispy homemade croutons?
However, we have convinced him to eat this recipe, which he loves!
If you have a picky eater like my husband in your family, try these other excellent side salad recipes: Chick-fil-a Copycat Kale Crunch Salad, Chopped Greek Salad, and this sweet and tangy Strawberry Spinach Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette.
Plus, there’s a no-anchovy dressing recipe included, and you really cannot taste the difference- it’s as delicious as the original.
Ingredient Notes
Homemade Caesar Dressing
Homemade Croutons
Here’s my homemade crouton recipe!
Caesar Salad Ingredients
How to Make This Homemade Caesar Salad Recipe
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Combine the dressing ingredients
Let’s start with a food processor or blender. Measure in the mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, Anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and parmesan cheese. Give it a quick whisk, and pulse until the ingredients are well combined.
Then, add a bit of milk or water to make the dressing thinner if you like it better that way.
If you don’t have a blender or food processor, no problem! You can whisk the ingredients in a bowl with just a little elbow grease!
Step 2 | Slice the bread
Next, get ready for baking by preheating the oven to 375˚F and cut the baguette in half lengthwise through the top. Continue slicing the bread into cubes, even in size. You can also tear the bread into pieces.
So you have a reference, I usually make them about ¾ inches in diameter. But what’s most important is that they are the same size, so they cook nice and evenly.
Step 3 | Prep croutons
Now, set out a small bowl and mix together some olive oil and just 1 or 2 teaspoons of finely minced garlic. Drizzle the garlic oil over the croutons and sprinkle the tops with 2 tablespoons of delicious grated parmesan cheese.
Step 4 | Bake croutons
Then, spread the bread cubes out in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until perfectly crispy and golden brown, tossing about halfway through the cooking time.
Step 5 | Let them cool
Remove the yummy croutons from the oven and let them cool completely. Then, scatter them over your homemade salad just before plating your salad.
Step 6 | Assemble salad and serve
Assembling the salad is the easiest part of this super-easy recipe! Rinse, dry, and chop or tear the crisp romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Then, toss it into a large serving bowl and sprinkle the shredded or shaved fresh parmesan cheese on top with your cooled croutons. The last step is to drizzle your salad with homemade Caesar dressing and toss it gently until lettuce is evenly coated. All that’s left to do is serve it up and enjoy!
Tips
- To Thin the Dressing – If the dressing is a little thick for your liking, add a little milk or water to thin the homemade Caesar dressing a bit.
- Watch the Croutons– Keep a close eye on the croutons as they bake because cook times vary depending on the size of the bread cubes, how dry the loaf is, and oven temperatures.
- Save Croutons for Later– If I know we are having salad later in the week, I make a double-batch of crunchy croutons and store them in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Don’t end up with sad and soggy croutons! Wait until you serve the salads to add the Caesar croutons.
Variations and Substitutions
- Switch the Mustard: Stone-ground mustard is milder than Dijon mustard, but it is an excellent substitute if you prefer it over the other or when you’re in a pinch. However, omitting the mustard can negatively affect the texture of the dressing overall, so be sure to use one or the other.
- Kind of Bread: French and Italian Bread have a dense crumb and a chewy texture, which makes them ideal for croutons. But you can substitute it with another crusty bread, like sourdough bread, ciabatta, baguette, multigrain, or whole wheat bread.
- Salad Greens: Romaine is a classic for Caesar salad, but you can swap it out for kale, spinach, or arugula if you’d like.
- Add Protein: Add chicken, tender bites of steak, shrimp, or salmon pieces to the Caesar salad for protein.
- Make it Even Easier: If you’re in a pinch, you can swap out some of the fresh ingredients for more convenient alternatives. For example, replace the fresh garlic clove with garlic powder and coat the croutons in vegetable oil instead of olive oil. And if you’re short on time, just use the best croutons from the grocery store and your favorite store-bought dressing. You can also replace the mayo with sour cream if necessary.
- Season the Croutons: Toss the cubed bread with Italian seasoning or another combination of herbs for a garlic herb croutons recipe.
How to Make No Anchovy Caesar Salad Dressing
Don’t like anchovies? No worries! Here’s how to adjust the creamy Caesar dressing recipe if you are omitting the anchovy paste:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
In a food processor or blender, add all the dressing ingredients. Pulse until well combined. If desired, add a little milk or thin it to the consistency you like.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! The dressing can be made about a week in advance and chilled in the fridge. The croutons will also last about a week on the countertop in an airtight container. Then, assemble the salad and toss freshly before serving.
Technically, yes. A traditional Caesar salad has anchovies or anchovy paste in the dressing. However, you can work around this if you aren’t a fish fan. I have a no-anchovy dressing that tastes just as amazing as that is included.
Usually, nicer restaurants make their Caesar dressing in-house with anchovies and eggs. It is a thinner, more oil-based dressing compared to the grocery store brands, which are mayonnaise-based and creamy. In my opinion, both are delicious, and it’s just a matter of preference!
Storage
Of course, you’ll want to store the salad, dressing, and croutons separately to avoid a soggy mess. If you expect to have leftovers, toss each individual salad together while keeping the main elements in separate airtight containers to store for later in the refrigerator.
The dressing will be kept for about two weeks and can be used for all kinds of dishes, from steak to chicken wraps!
The croutons can be kept in a jar or tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to a week
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Sure! The dressing can be made about a week in advance and chilled in the fridge. The croutons will also last about a week on the countertop in an airtight container. Then, assemble the salad and toss freshly before serving.
Does Caesar salad have fish in it?
Technically, yes. A traditional Caesar salad has anchovies or anchovy paste in the dressing. However, you can work around this if you aren’t a fish fan.
Why does restaurant Caesar salad dressing taste better?
Usually, nicer restaurants make their Caesar dressing in-house with anchovies and eggs. It is a thinner, more oil-based dressing compared to the grocery store brands, which are mayonnaise-based and creamy. In my opinion, both are delicious, and it’s just a matter of preference!
Storage
Of course, you’ll want to store the salad, dressing, and croutons separately to avoid a soggy mess. If you expect to have leftovers, toss each individual salad together while keeping the main elements in separate airtight containers to store for later in the refrigerator.
The dressing will be kept for about two weeks and can be used for all kinds of dishes, from steak to chicken wraps!
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The croutons can be kept in a jar or tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to a week.
What to Serve with Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons Recipe
A creamy and light Caesar side salad is perfect for a hearty pasta dinner, like my Ultimate Baked Spaghetti Casserole with layers of spaghetti, a flavorful meat sauce, and creamy alfredo sauce– Yum! Or try this cheesy and cozy Chicken And Bacon Pasta With Spinach And Tomatoes.
You can also enjoy a lighter meal by serving the homemade salad with these healthy Ground Chicken Burgers with perfectly seasoned patties or tender Grilled Steak And Chicken Kabobs that are always a hit in my house!
More Homemade Dressings and Sauces
- Homemade Catalina Salad Dressing
- Blueberry Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
- Homemade Pesto Recipe
- Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- Homemade Meat Sauce
Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
Homemade Caesar Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, (1 large lemon)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt, to taste (I usually do not add – anchovy paste salty enough)
Homemade Croutons
- ½ French baguette (about 12 ounces), cut in half and cubed (¾ inch or preferred sized)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Caesar Salad Ingredients
- 8 cups Romaine Hearts
- ½ cup shredded or shaved parmesan cheese, (or to taste)
- 2 cups homemade croutons
Instructions
Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
- In a food processor or blender, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, Anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and parmesan cheese. Pulse until well combined. To thin to your desired consistency, add a little milk or water and pulse.If you do not have a blender or food processor, this can also be done in a bowl with a whisk and a little elbow grease
Homemade Garlic Croutons
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Cut the baguette in half lengthwise through the top of the baguette into even cubes or tear the bread into pieces. Keeping them uniform in size. I usually make them about ¾ inches in diameter, but it’s mostly important that they are the same size to cook evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp of olive oil and 1 – 2 tsp of finely minced garlic. Drizzle the garlic oil over the croutons and sprinkle the top with 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese.
- Spread the bread out in an even layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crispy, tossing about halfway through cooking time. (Keep an eye out as cook times vary. The size of bread cubes, how dry the loaf is, and oven temperatures are some things that contribute to varied cooking times).
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Use immediately, or store in an air-tight container for up to 1 week.
For the Caesar Salad
- Rinse, dry, and chop or tear the romaine into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large serving bowl and sprinkle generously with shredded or shaved parmesan cheese and cooled croutons. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss gently until lettuce is evenly coated
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Notes
No Anchovy Caesar Salad Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Originally posted on 01/17/2017. Updated with new detailed photos on June 24, 2024.
I guess we are going to have Pasta Fagioli and Caesar Salad for dinner! Oh and some bread sticks. Olive Garden here we come!! LOL I’m Just Joking!!! Maybe!!
Well now you can make it at home if you want! I have a recipe for their dressing too I will have to share soon. It was pretty close. It’s always nice to go out too sometimes!
Caesar salad is my favorite salad. Thanks for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty. We hope you’ll party with us again this Friday.
~Bonnie
Mine too Bonnie! Thank you for checking out my blog! Hope you try the recipe soon. Look forward to next weekends party!