Photo: Shutterstock / Brent Hofacker
Caesar salad. We’ve all heard of it. We’ve all had one (good or bad). But I’m here to tell you about the way I make the Caesar salad to end all Caesar salads. And you know what? It never has to be the same way twice.
This isn’t exactly a recipe, but more like a bunch of great guidelines—the tools to build one exactly the way you like it! All you need are greens, dressing, protein, croutons and cheese. Here’s how to put them together to make one heck of a salad.
The Greens
Start off strong by having crisp, fresh greens. I recommend using crunchy, refreshing romaine as the base for your ultimate Caesar salad. But if you’re living dangerously (or just have greens to use up), green lettuce, escarole, spinach or spring greens work well, too! Be sure to rinse whatever greens you choose to use because no one likes grit in their salad.
The Dressing
To make or to buy, that is the question. Of course, the ultimate Caesar salad has homemade dressing. Making your dressing from scratch allows you to play with flavors and keep the unhealthy ingredients in check. Don’t know where to start? Check out this recipe for classic Caesar dressing. (Psst: It’s low-fat!)
Here’s a basic rundown (use low-fat ingredients if you like): In a small bowl, whisk 2/3 cup mayo, 1/2 cup each sour cream and buttermilk, 1 tablespoon each red wine vinegar and stone-ground mustard, and 1-1/2 teaspoons each lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Then stir in 1/3 cup grated Parm, 2 minced anchovies, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour. Then serve it to a crowd (you and 12 of your closest friends).
Shout out to the vegetarians in the crowd! An easy way to make this recipe veggie-friendly is to sub out the anchovies for 1/2 teaspoon of capers. A quick blitz in the food processor or spice grinder and you’ll be on your way to an ultimate Caesar salad, vegetarian style!
Test Kitchen tip: Make your dressing a day ahead. Allow it to rest for a while in the refrigerator really amplifies the flavors and brings them together. After your dressing has chilled out, toss it with your greens. Aim for a light, even coating on all the leaves, just enough for the dressing to complement, not overpower.
The Protein
If you’re making this salad as a main, a bit of protein will really round out the nutritional value. Top your tossed greens with slices of grilled chicken, shrimp or chickpeas and you’ll have a filling lunch or dinner.
The Croutons
Have you ever had homemade croutons? No? Welcome to your ultimate salad future. Fresh croutons take your Caesar salad to the next level. These homemade croutons feature garlic and lemon seasonings for an extra burst of flavor. You’ll never buy croutons again after trying this recipe.
Depending on your style, you can either toss the croutons with your dressed greens or simply sprinkle them over the salad. Note that if you’re tossing the croutons, you may need to use an extra drizzle of dressing for even distribution.
The Cheese
The final piece of the Caesar salad puzzle is cheese. Freshly grated or shaved Parmesan is the way to go. Nutty and salty, Parm cuts some of the acidity of the dressing and complements the freshness of the greens.
Obsessed? Thought so. Now, go forth and create your own amazing Caesar salad recipe.
Check out these tasty recipes for more Caesar goodness!
Chicken Pasta Caesar SaladMy colleagues and I made a pact to eat healthier, and we took turns sharing dishes. I'm happy to report that, thanks to recipes like this crisp and tangy salad, we all trimmed down. —Teresa Jordan, Springville, Utah
Chicken Caesar WrapsThis classic handheld with tender chicken, Parmesan cheese and chopped Caesar croutons features the perfect amount of dressing for a tasty meal any night. Nancy Pratt - Longview, TX
Caesar Salad with Grilled Steak and PotatoesWe get our grill on for this sizzling steak and potatoes baked in foil. It’s a quick and easy main dish we like to take outdoors. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Tortellini & Chicken Caesar SaladMy family loved this pasta salad right from the start, so these days I serve it a lot. When grilling season hits, I grill the chicken as a special treat. —Lee Reese, Rolla, Missouri
That Good SaladWhen a friend shared this salad recipe, it had a fancy French name. Our children can never remember it, so they say, "Mom, please make 'that good salad.'" Now our friends and neighbors request it for potluck dinners. It really is one of the best salad recipes. —Betty Lamb, Orem, Utah
Chicken Caesar PitasHand-held and picnic friendly, these chicken-stuffed pockets pack a double dose of whole grains from brown rice and whole wheat pitas. The chicken can be made up to 2 days in advance for a fast-fix lunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mediterranean Pasta Caesar TossGet creative using convenience items with a fresh take on ravioli. Try this lightened-up pasta toss for an al fresco dinner, or double it for a family picnic. —Libby Walp, Chicago, Illinois
Caesar Chicken with FetaMy tomatoey chicken is the perfect answer on those crazy days when supper has to be on the table in 30 minutes, tops (doesn't hurt that it's delicious, too). —Denise Chelpka, Phoenix, Arizona
Loaded Potato SaladGet a load of this loaded potato salad with sour cream, bacon, shredded cheddar, green onions and more. The ingredients come together to give you all the richness of restaurant potato skins at your next picnic. —Monique Boulanger, Greenwood, Nova Scotia
Caesar Chicken WrapsWhen we have chicken for dinner, I cook extra for these full-flavored roll-ups. Featuring Caesar salad dressing, cream cheese, red pepper, black olives and a hint of garlic, the wraps are perfect alongside corn on the cob and a green vegetable. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada
Chicken Caesar PizzaDressed greens on top of warm pizza may sound a little strange but trust me, it's fantastic. —Tracy Youngman, Post Falls, Idaho. Next, check out our collection of
pizza appetizers.
Caesar Orange RoughyI'm so thankful that my mother taught me to cook at a young age. She won several cooking contests over the years and this is one of my favorite recipes of hers. —Mary Lou Boyce, Wilmingon, Delaware
Caesar Salad in Peppered Parmesan BowlsThis cheese bowl salad looks impressive but is a cinch to make. I won't tell if you don't! —Melissa Wilkes, St. Augustine, Florida
Cheesy Chicken SubsI've been part of the Food Services staff at Appalachian State University for 33 years. One summer we created this flavorful sandwich that combines seasoned grilled chicken, Swiss cheese and sauteed mushrooms and onions. Thousands of students have enjoyed this wonderful sub since then. —Jane Hollar, Vilas, North Carolina
Caesar Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes & ArtichokesThis is my "go to" recipe for quick dinners, family or guests. It's colorful, healthy, easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. The best part is it only calls for five ingredients! —Mary Hawkes, Prescott, Arizona
Blackened Pork Caesar SaladWhen I cook, the goal is to have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. This Caesar with pork has fantastic flavor even when the meat is chilled. —Penny Hedges, Dewdney, British Columbia
Bacon-Wrapped ShrimpI tweaked this bacon-wrapped shrimp recipe to please my family, and boy were they glad! For less heat, skip the jalapenos. —Debbie Cheek, State Road, North Carolina
Tortellini Caesar SaladThis salad was served at a dear friend's baby shower by a health-conscious friend, who suggested the dressing be prepared with low-fat or fat-free ingredients. Either way, the creamy dressing has plenty of garlic flavor and coats the pasta, romaine and croutons nicely. —Tammy Steenbock, Sembach Air Base, Germany
Crispy Shrimp Caesar SaladMy friend Jane and I have a favorite lunch spot that serves a fantastic salad on Wednesdays. I made my own version at home so I can share it with my family and eat it whenever I want. Save a lot of prep time and buy peeled, deveined shrimp and pre-washed lettuce. —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chicken Caesar FlorentineI adapted this dish from my favorite chicken Caesar salad recipe. It has many of the same ingredients as the salad: croutons, grated Parmesan, chicken, and creamy Caesar dressing. This makes the perfect comforting meal on a busy weeknight. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
Salmon Caesar SaladThis salmon Caesar salad was invented out of a need to serve my family a balanced meal when time was limited. Even my young son loves it! —Ann Bagdonas of Antioch, California
Chicken & Onion Caesar SaladMy Caesar with grilled chicken is a healthier alternative to heavy meat and potatoes dishes. After grilling the kabobs, we serve them family style. —Melissa Adams, Tooele, Utah
