Caesar Salad Recipe
A classic salad made with crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and shaved Parmesan cheese, tossed in a rich and creamy Caesar dressing.
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Ingredients
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Salad
Caesar dressing
Optional garnish
Method
Salad
- 1
Prepare lettuce
Remove outer leaves and core the romaine. Rinse thoroughly under cold water, then dry completely using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towels. Tear or chop into bite-size pieces (about 1–2-inch pieces). Place in a large salad bowl and chill briefly while preparing dressing.
- 2
Add croutons and cheese
Once dressing is ready, add croutons and about 3/4 cup of the shaved Parmesan to the bowl with the lettuce. Reserve remaining Parmesan for garnish.
- 3
Dress and toss
Pour the desired amount of dressing over the lettuce (start with about 1/2 to 3/4 cup). Using tongs, toss gently but thoroughly until leaves are evenly coated. Add additional dressing as needed to lightly coat leaves without saturating them.
- 4
Finish and serve
Season the tossed salad with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Taste for salt—if needed, sprinkle a little more. Transfer to individual plates or a serving bowl, top with reserved shaved Parmesan and lemon wedges if using, and serve immediately.
Caesar dressing
- 5
Mince garlic finely and squeeze lemon to measure 3 tablespoons of juice. Grate 1 tablespoon of Parmesan and set aside.
- 6
In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and anchovy paste. Whisk until smooth.
- 7
Slowly whisk in the olive oil to emulsify the dressing. Add the lemon juice and whisk to combine. Taste and add salt; whisk again. If the dressing is too thick, thin with 1–2 teaspoons of water or additional lemon juice to reach desired consistency.
- 8
Stir in the minced garlic and grated Parmesan. Let the dressing sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or refrigerate up to 2 hours. Bring to cool room temperature before tossing with lettuce.
Optional garnish
- 9
If using lemon wedges, cut lemons into quarters. Keep wedges chilled and serve alongside the salad for diners who want extra brightness. Sprinkle extra shaved Parmesan over the finished salad for presentation.