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MealDinnerSeafoodFishChickenSaladsEuropeanDifficultyDietaryCuisineHigh-FiberLow-SugarHigh-ProteinUnder 1 HourUnder 45 MinutesOne-Pot or PanMeal PrepWeeknightBakingSidesLunchEasyVegetarianHealthyDairy-FreeComfort FoodItalianNorth American

Classic Caesar Salad

featured in Classic Caesar Salad vs. Vegan Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a classic, and we think our recipe embodies everything you love about the dish–it’s tangy, creamy, crunchy, and garlicky. Drizzle little gem lettuce with homemade and hand-whisked Caesar dressing and top with torn-bread croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese. Serve with your choice of protein, if desired, but we think it’s pretty perfect as is.

Betsy Carter & Karlee Rotoly
Tasty Team
95% would make again
Total Time

45 minutes

45 min

Prep Time

20 minutes

20 min

Cook Time

25 minutes

25 min

Classic Caesar Salad
Total Time

45 minutes

45 min

Prep Time

20 minutes

20 min

Cook Time

25 minutes

25 min

Ingredients

for 4 servings

Classic Caesar Dressing

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed and roughly chopped
  • 6 oil-packed anchovy fillets, drained and roughly chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 2 large pastured egg yollks
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (60 mL)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese (30 g)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Croutons

  • 2 cups bread (230 g), torn into 1-inch (2.54-cm) pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Assembly

  • 10 oz little gem lettuce (300 g), leaves separated or torn
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (30 g), plus more for topping
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Protein Additions

  • 8 oz grilled chicken breast (225 g), sliced into ¼-inch (6-mm) pieces
  • 8 oz grilled salmon (225 g), broken into 1-inch (2.54-cm) pieces
  • ½ lb grilled shrimp (225 g)

Nutrition Info

  • Calories 901
  • Fat 60g
  • Carbs 31g
  • Fiber 12g
  • Sugar 3g
  • Protein 62g

Estimated values based on one serving size.

Preparation

  1. Make the classic caesar dressing: On a cutting board, chop the garlic and anchovies together to combine. Sprinkle with the salt. Use the side of a knife to chop and mash the mixture into a smooth, homogeneous paste. Transfer the paste to a medium bowl.
  2. Add the egg yolks and mustard to the bowl with the garlic anchovy paste. Whisk until the egg yolks lighten in color and become airy, about 2 minutes. While whisking continuously, drizzle in the vegetable and olive oils until the dressing is thick and emulsified. Whisk in the lemon juice; the dressing should loosen a bit but will still be thick enough to liberally coat the back of a spoon and should fall in ribbons when drizzled. Stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, black pepper, and salt to taste. The dressing will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  3. Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  4. In a medium bowl, toss the torn bread with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Scatter across a baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, turning the pan halfway through, until the croutons are golden brown and crispy on the outside but still tender on the inside.
  5. Assemble the salad: On a serving platter or in a large bowl, arrange half of the little gem leaves and season with a pinch of salt. Drizzle with ⅓ cup of the dressing and top with half of the Parmesan the croutons. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make another layer, adding more dressing to taste. Season with pepper. If desired, top with the protein of your choice, such as chicken, salmon, or shrimp. Serve immediately.
  6. Enjoy!
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Classic Caesar Salad