There is something so comforting about a good Caesar salad. It is one of those dishes you see everywhere, yet making it at home feels oddly special. Fresh lettuce, creamy dressing, crunchy bits on top… it all comes together in such a simple way, when you have a good caesar salad recipe.
Now, let me show you how to make Caesar salad at home. Yes, it is easy and not overwhelming as it may seem.
How Did It All Start?
I started making my own Caesar salad on busy nights when I needed something quick but still full of flavour.
It takes a little prep that you can absolutely do in minutes the night before, but the steps are easy and the payoff is big. Once you try it from scratch, you understand why people keep coming back to it.
This salad is built on texture. You start it with crisp lettuce, soft, creamy dressing, crunchy croutons, and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to finish it all up.
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What Is Caesar Salad
It is a very popular salad – creamy, flavourful and classic. The traditional recipe for Caesar dressing is being made with egg yolk, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and anchovies. These strong flavours balance each other so well. But Caesar salad is easy to customize. Some people swap in Greek yogurt or mayo. Others add grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu. It is a flexible recipe that works for busy cooks.
I make my own homemade Caesar salad dressing so I can control the ingredients and customize the texture and flavour to my liking.
What You Will Need
Green salad mix – Choose any lettuce mix you like. Lettuce is the classic because it holds the dressing well and stays crisp. Washing and drying it properly is important, so the dressing sticks to the leaves instead of sliding off.
Homemade Caesar dressing – Making your own lets you adjust the flavour. If you want more tangy flavour – add some more lemon juice. Want it lighter – use yogurt. You get full control over ingredients and texture.
Croutons – Homemade croutons are easy to make and taste fresh and better than the store-bought. Plus, it is a great way to use stale bread so nothing goes to waste.
Bacon strips – Bacon adds salty, smoky crunch. Cooling it fully makes it extra crisp when you crumble it.
Roasted seeds (optional) – Pumpkin or sunflower seeds add a perfect crunch. To get the best flavour, and crunchiness, toast them for few minutes.
Parmesan – Freshly grated Parmesan cheese pulls the whole salad together.
How to Make Caesar Salad
Course: SaladsDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes15
minutes35
minutesLearn how to make Caesar salad at home with easy homemade Caesar salad dressing. Fresh lettuce, crispy croutons, and a creamy dressing come together in a simple step-by-step guide you can make any night of the week.
Ingredients
1 package lettuce mix (about 200–300 grams)
½ cup homemade Caesar dressing
8–10 bacon strips, oven roasted or pan-fried
1 cup homemade croutons (from 2–3 slices stale bread)
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon oregano
A drizzle of olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
How to Make Caesar Salad at Home
- Prepare the croutons
- Cut the bread into small squares.
- Place the squares in a bowl and season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil and toss everything well, to be evenly coated.
- Spread the bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Bake at 350F for 10 minutes, then turn off the oven and let the croutons sit inside for another 10 minutes. This helps them dry out without burning.
- Prepare the bacon
- Lay the strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast at 400F for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway. You can also fry them in a pan if that is easier. The oven keeps the mess away and I don’t have to babysit them.
- Let the bacon cool completely. It gets crispier as it cools, so give it at least 30 minutes.
- Assemble the salad
- Wash and dry the lettuce very well. Any water left on the leaves will water down the dressing.
- Place the lettuce in a large bowl so you have room to toss it.
- Add the homemade Caesar dressing, sprinkle some salt and black pepper.
- Toss gently until fully coated.
- Crumble the bacon into small pieces and sprinkle it over the salad.
- Add the croutons on top.
- Add the grated Parmesan.
- Sprinkle seeds if you are using them. Serve right away while everything is still crisp.
Notes
- If you use seeds, make sure you toast them a bit for extra crispiness and flavour.
How To Serve
This salad goes with almost anything. From grilled chicken, pasta, fish or even a simple grilled cheese sandwich. It is one of those dishes you can make for guests or for a quick lunch, and it always feels fresh and satisfying.
How To Store the Caesar Salad
Once the homemade caesar dressing hits the lettuce, the clock starts ticking, because the salad softens quickly, so it is best eaten the same day.
If you want to prepare it ahead, keep each part separate. The lettuce can be washed and dried, dressing in a jar, bacon cooked, croutons cooled. When you are ready to eat, it takes five minutes to put it all together. This is my strategy when I prep a weeknight dinner that needs to be fast and with minimal effort needed.
If you want to learn more about easy weeknight dinner prep strategies – make sure you enrol the Easy Weeknight Meals Are Real course. You will be forever grateful.
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