Do you ever just crave a Caesar salad? Sometimes, I can’t resist ordering one with a side of fries, because why not mix a little indulgence some greens? This creamy, zesty homemade Caesar salad dressing is the perfect balance of flavors, and it comes together in minutes. Made with just five simple ingredients plus salt and pepper, you can easily shake it up in a jar and be ready to go!
A Bright & Fresh Caesar Salad
Romaine lettuce, known for its crisp texture, is the staple lettuce in a traditional Caesar salad. For the base, I start by combining sturdy greens like Paris White Romaine and Salinova Red Butter & Red Crisp Romaine for that satisfying crunch. Then, to add an extra layer of texture and freshness, I toss in a handful of sunflower microgreens.
Everything is then combined with creamy homemade Caesar dressing, golden croutons, and a generous sprinkle of parmesan. The result is a deliciously refreshing salad that gives the classic Caesar a little extra pizzazz. It's perfect for a light lunch, or as a side dish.
Ingredients
For the Caesar Salad Dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Fresh lemon juice
- Anchovy paste
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
For the Garlic Butter Croutons
- Bread or rolls
- Butter
- Garlic (chopped)
- Fresh parsley
- Salt
- Pepper
Making your Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Start by preparing the creamy Caesar dressing. In a bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice. Then, add anchovy paste, grated parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until smooth, or if using a jar, shake vigorously to mix. Refrigerate until you are ready to use it.
Garlic Butter Croutons
For the croutons, melt some butter in a pan, then add chopped garlic, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and salt and pepper. Stir the mixture together until it's well combined.
Next, slice leftover bread or rolls into cubes and place them in a bag. Pour in the garlic butter mixture, seal the bag, and give it a good shake to coat the bread evenly. Bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes, or until the croutons are lightly golden brown. If you happen to sample a few along the way, be sure to save some for the salad!
Build the Caesar Salad
For a large salad, you can either layer the ingredients or mix everything together in a repurposed bag to evenly disperse the dressing. Start with a base of greens, then add a generous sprinkle of parmesan, a handful of croutons, and the Caesar dressing. Toss everything together and top with more parmesan, salt, and pepper to taste.
About the Anchovy Paste
For the best results, I use anchovy paste. While you won’t overtly taste it in the Caesar dressing, skipping it will change the overall flavor profile. The savory depth the paste adds is essential for achieving that restaurant style taste. It really is a key ingredient to a rich and authentic Caesar dressing. Don’t worry, the anchovy paste blends seamlessly into the mixture once you give the jar a good shake!
If you've never shopped for anchovy paste before, it can can typically be found near canned tuna in a small squeeze tube, often packaged in a box the size of a tube of toothpaste.
How Long Does Homemade Caesar Dressing Last?
It’s important to store this homemade Caesar dressing properly. In the refrigerator, your homemade dressing will stay fresh for about one week. Always give it a quick check for any signs of spoilage, like a change in smell or texture, before using it.
Looking for other delicious recipes?
Check these out:
Antipasto Pasta Salad and Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
Prosciutto Wrapped Salad with Sweet Balsamic
Crispy Cauliflower Hash Browns
Chipotle Chili and Garlic Cauliflower Fried Rice
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Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing & Garlic Butter Croutons
Ingredients
- Lettuce Romaine varieties
Caesar Salad Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise regular or lite
- 3 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 4 tablespoon fresh lemon juice about 1 large lemon
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic to taste
- 2 teaspoon anchovy paste see notes
- 4 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated or shredded plus more for salad
- 1 teaspoon Maldon sea salt flakes to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper to taste
Garlic Butter Croutons
- 3 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped 2 cloves
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon Maldon sea salt flakes to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper to taste
- 2 cups cubed bread or rolls
Instructions
Caesar Dressing
- In a bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice and stir.
- Add anchovy paste, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Stir well, or if using a jar, simply close the lid and shake to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Garlic Butter Croutons
- Melt the butter and add chopped garlic, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Slice leftover bread or rolls into cubes, then place them in a bag. Add the garlic butter mixture to the bag and shake it to coat the bread evenly.
- Bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes, or until the croutons are light golden brown. Try to save some for the salad!
Assemble the Salad
- For a large salad, you can build or mix it in layers.
- Layer in your choice of greens, parmesan cheese, the prepared dressing, and croutons.
- Toss everything together and top with extra parmesan, salt, and pepper to taste.
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