Classic Caesar Salad

Classic Caesar Salad, a must have recipe in every cook's salad repertoire! This Caesar Salad recipe is quick, simple, and bursting with flavor of classic creamy Caesar dressing, freshly grated parmesan tossed with chilled romaine heart leaves. 

Also including pantry substitutes to try Classic Caesar with what you have in-hand without compromising the flavor. You can also skip croutons to keep it gluten free. Skip anchovy to make it fish free. Read on to know more...

Let's make Classic Caesar today!

Caesar Salad

Traditional Caesar Salad is a refreshing romaine heart salad with toasted (or flavored) bread croutons and a lemony Caesar dressing made with garlic, anchovies, olive oil, and egg yolks. 

Many Italian restaurants serve Classic Caesar salad prepared traditional way, from scratch, at the table side. Just like the table side guacamole served in Mexican restaurants. 

Every time we visit a classic Italian eatery, the table side Caesar Salad order is a must! Love the fresh chilled romaine hearts coated in fresh mixed dressing. A treat with pasta or pizza or when I just want a salad-for-dinner!

Today's recipe captures the same flavor of classic preparation of Caesar turned into a Homemade Caesar Salad!

What Do You Need To Make Classic Caesar Salad?

Here is what you need to make Caesar Salad:

1. Romain Hearts
2. Parmesan
3. Olive Oil
4. Parmesan
5. Lemon Juice
6. Egg Yolk
7. Anchovies (paste or fillets)
8. Red Wine Vinegar
9. Salt and Pepper
10. Garlicky Croutons (optional, but recommended. Recipe in Notes.)

Caesar Salad Dressing

The authentic Caesar Salad is all about crisp chilled romaine hearts and a well made Caesar salad dressing.

To make the dressing, mix all ingredients for dressing except olive oil into a blender jar then add oil slowly to emulsify. 

Substitutes:

You can replace egg yolk, vinegar, and olive oil in dressing with good quality mayo. If you can find Classic Mayo, even better. Try homemade mayonnaise recipe.

I've also created a mayo-free vegetarian Caesar Salad Dressing. (Perfect when serving guests who don't eat mayo.)

Croutons For Classic Caesar Salad

Croutons are optional but add a layer of flavor to the Caesar Salad. Homemade croutons are very easy to make. I make grilled croutons with just three ingredients and a grilling pan.

1. A day old rustic bread such as French/Country bread slices.
2. Olive Oil
3. Grated Garlic

To make the croutons, brush the bread with mix of oil and grated garlic, season, and then place on the heated grill. Grill until nice grill marks appear. 

Honestly, making a delicious filling salad such as this Classic Caesar Salad at home helps me fit this easily to my diet preferences. For example;

1. Skip crouton and salad is Gluten Free.
2. Skip cheese and salad is Dairy Free.
3. Swap half of the romaine with spinach and arugula for greens loaded Salad.

My 5 Top Favorite Salads for Dinner

There are plenty of Dinner Salads on the blog. I'm listing my top 5 favorites below:

1. Sweet Potato Feta Chickpea Salad
2. Chinese Chicken Salad
3. Greek Chicken Cucumber Avocado Salad
4. Tuna Nicoise Salad
5. Grilled Shrimp Avocado Salad

Check more in Salads Category, or try search. You can also write to me to create a salad that you can't find on blog. I'm always excited to test and share new recipes.