• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Drive Me Hungry
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » All Recipes » Salads

    Classic Caesar Salad

    Published: May 20, 2022 · Modified: May 20, 2022 by Jamie · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Classic Caesar salad with text overlay.
    Homemade Caesar salad with text overlay.
    Classic Caesar salad with text overlay.

    This is the best homemade Caesar salad recipe because simple and easy to prepare and has all the classic flavors! It's made with crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese, anchovy, egg yolks, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil!

    Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, and homemade dressing.

    Classic Caesar salad is full of umami flavors from anchovies, Parmesan cheese, and Worcestershire sauce. The bright flavors of lemon juice and the creaminess of egg yolks balance out the umami flavors. To finish, it's all tossed together with crisp romaine lettuce and topped with crunchy croutons and freshly cracked black pepper.

    I based this easy recipe on the tableside Caesar salads offered at steakhouses where the salad and dressing are prepared and tossed right at the table. This made it easy to take a mental note of all the ingredients and recreate this simple restaurant-style Caesar salad at home!

    Caesar salad made with romaine lettuce, croutons, and homemade dressing on a plate.

    The Original Caesar Salad:

    According to Wikipedia, Caesar salad was invented by an Italian immigrant named Caesar Cardini. It's believed that the original version did not include anchovies or lemon, rather opting for lime. It was prepared and served tableside with whole romaine leaves.

    Homemade Caesar salad with a jar of dressing made from scratch.
    Fork and knife icon.

    Ingredients

    Caesar salad ingredients.
    • Romaine lettuce - Use romaine hearts and keep the leaves whole.
    • Croutons - Use homemade or store-bought croutons. I used garlic croutons.
    • Egg yolks - I recommend using pasteurized eggs for this recipe as it contains raw egg yolks. Egg yolks make the dressing creamy, rich, and luscious. Mayo may be substituted.
    • Anchovy paste - This gives the dressing the perfect amount of umami and salinity. Adjust to your liking if you're sensitive to its flavor. Anchovy filets can also be used.
    • Parmesan cheese - I recommend Parmigiano Reggiano for the best flavor.
    • Olive oil - I used extra virgin olive oil for its grassy, peppery taste.
    • Lemon - Use freshly squeezed lemon juice.

    Steps

    Steps on how to make Caesar salad dressing.
    1. For the homemade Caesar dressing, add the egg yolks, minced garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper to a mixing bowl. Next, whisk together until combined.
    2. Then slowly drizzle the extra virgin olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing. If you see separation, keep whisking until combined before adding the oil. It should have a thicker consistency now.
    3. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Taste and season accordingly.
    4. For a fancy presentation, lay the romaine leaves in a single layer and top with some croutons and a drizzle of dressing. Continue to build up the layers and top with shaved Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.
    Romaine lettuce with croutons and dressing.
    Caesar salad with dressing, romaine lettuce, and croutons.
    Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, dressing, and shaved Parmesan cheese.
    Classic Caesar salad with homemade dressing on a plate.

    Anchovies in Caesar salad:

    If you're new to anchovy fillets or anchovy paste, it's salty, briny, and full of delicious umami flavor. If used in small amounts like in Caesar salad, it shouldn't taste overwhelmingly fishy, but rather add depth and flavor. However, if you're sensitive to the taste, start with a small amount and adjust with salt as needed.

    Variations:

    • Chicken Caesar salad - Add grilled chicken or other protein like salmon or shrimp for a filling meal.
    • Greens - Substitute romaine with iceberg lettuce, butterhead, little gems, or baby kale.
    • Pasta Caesar salad - Double the dressing and add a half serving of pasta.
    • Make-ahead - Prep and dry the romaine leaves and store them in the fridge. Make the dressing earlier in the day but I recommend consuming it that same day. Double the recipe to make a big batch for a gathering that's perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other holidays!
    Homemade Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, and dressing from scratch.

    More recipes:

    • Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
    • Asian Sesame Broccoli Salad
    • Crunchy Asian Cucumber Salad
    • Quick and Easy Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Tangy Dressing
    Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, and homemade dressing.

    Caesar Salad

    This homemade Caesar salad is simple and easy to prepare! It's made with the classic ingredients of Caesar salad including romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, anchovy, egg yolks, lemon, garlic, and olive oil!
    5 from 67 votes
    Pin Share Print
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Appetizer, Salad
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 6

    ☑ Ingredients
     

    Salad Assembly

    • 3 romaine hearts - washed and dried
    • 3 cups croutons
    • freshly ground black pepper
    • lemon wedges - (optional) for serving

    Caesar Dressing

    • 2 egg yolks - pasteurized; See Note 1
    • 2 cloves garlic - finely minced
    • 1 ¾ Tablespoons lemon juice - freshly squeeze
    • 1 ½ teaspoons anchovy paste - See Note 2
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese - and extra for serving
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Prep romaine: Separate the romaine heart leaves and wash and dry well. Keep the leaves whole or chop if preferred. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to dress.
      3 romaine hearts

    Make dressing:

    • Mix: Add the egg yolks, garlic, lemon juice, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper to a mixing bowl. Whisk together until combined.
      2 egg yolks, 2 cloves garlic, 1 ¾ Tablespoons lemon juice, 1 ½ teaspoons anchovy paste, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
      Egg yolks, anchovy paste, garlic, and dijon mustard in a bowl.
    • Add oil: Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking vigorously. The dressing should thicken as it emulsifies with the oil. If you see separation, keep whisking until combined before adding more oil.
      ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
      Olive oil slowly whisked with egg yolks, anchovies, and lemon juice.
    • Add cheese: Lastly, add the Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust with more lemon juice and other seasonings to your liking.
      ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
      Grated parmesan cheese added to Caesar dressing.

    Assemble:

    • Add the romaine leaves, croutons, and dressing to a large bowl and gently toss together. Portion out servings and serve with extra Parmesan cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, and a lemon wedge. Enjoy!
      3 cups croutons, freshly ground black pepper, lemon wedges
      Classic Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, croutons, and dressing from scratch.

    ✎ Recipe Notes

    Makes about ¾ cup of dressing or enough for 4 to 6 servings.
    1. Egg yolks are traditionally used in classic Caesar salad dressing. I recommend using pasteurized eggs which are eggs that have been heated in their shells to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses. You can read more about the process here. If you prefer not to use egg yolks, you can substitute them with mayo or yogurt, about 1 tablespoon per yolk. Note: Consuming raw or undercooked eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illnesses especially if you have certain medical conditions or are pregnant.
    2. Anchovy paste - Substitute with the same amount of anchovy fillets or use a small splash of fish sauce or Worcestershire sauce instead. But start light as it's very salty. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 253mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5046IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was and give it a 5 star rating! Tag @drivemehungry to show off your creations! I love seeing your photos!

    *Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.

    What kind of cheese is in Caesar salad?

    Parmesan cheese is used either grated or shaved. I find it has the best flavor to complement the dressing.

    What lettuce is used in this salad?

    Romaine lettuce is used, specifically romaine hearts. They can be served as whole leaves or chopped.

    What should I serve with this salad?

    Grilled or roasted chicken, shrimp, pasta, or different types of lettuce such as iceberg, butterhead, little gems, or even kale.

    « Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
    Steamed Lobster Tail »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    photo of author

    Hi there!

    Nice to meet you! Come join me in making easy, simple recipes for every day meals. All my recipes use fresh ingredients with easy to follow steps that anyone can follow. Take a look around!

    More about me →


    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    Sign up to be notified of new recipes and cooking tips & tricks from our kitchen. No spam ever. Unsubscribe at any time.


    Popular Recipes

    • Yaki Udon | Stir Fried Udon Noodles
    • Remoulade Sauce | Crab Cake Sauce
    • 3 Classic Spring Roll Dipping Sauces
    • Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs

    Copyright © 2022 Drive Me Hungry · Privacy Policy