Caesar Salad

0 minutes

The BEST Caesar Salad – made with just a handful of ingredients. This salad is delicious on its own and also makes the perfect base for grilled chicken, salmon or shrimp.

First things first: I’m a bit of a salad connoisseur. In that I absolutely LOVE a good salad… and at this point in life, I’ve tried a LOT of them. From Greek Salad to Wedge Salad to a delicious Strawberry Salad in summer, I definitely don’t discriminate. But there’s always something about Caesar Salad that keeps me coming back for more.

For starters, it’s simple. You only need a few ingredients and a few minutes, and you have yourself a delicious meal. Pro tip: I keep the ingredients on hand at all times for a quick and easy lunch or dinner!

It’s also insanely flavorful, due, in large part, to the Caesar dressing. I always try to use homemade dressing AND homemade croutons, both of which take this salad to the next level. (But don’t worry if you don’t have time for homemade… it will still be delicious either way!)

Last but not least, it’s a salad that everyone loves. It’s always the first thing to go at family get togethers, and my kids actually beg me to make it for dinner. I don’t know of any other salad that gets such rave reviews!

what you’ll need for this recipe

Lettuce – I used 3 hearts of Romaine lettuce in this recipe. Romaine is the type of lettuce typically used in caesar salads, but you can substitute another type if you prefer.

Parmesan – I added 1 cup of shaved Parmesan cheese, which can be found in the specialty cheese section at your local grocery store. You can usually purchase it shaved, or you can buy a wedge and shave it using a cheese shaver.

Croutons – I also added 1 cup of croutons, which are an essential ingredient in caesar salad. I used homemade croutons, which I would highly recommend if you have the time to make them. You can also use your favorite store bought brand if you prefer.

Caesar dressing – I also used my homemade Caesar Dressing recipe, which is made with mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, minced garlic, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, salt & black pepper. Once again, you can feel free to use store bought if you prefer.

how to make caesar salad

Wash & chop the lettuce. Wash and dry the romaine lettuce to remove any dirt. Coarsely chop it to desired size and transfer it to a large salad bowl.

Assemble the salad. Add the shaved Parmesan, croutons, and dressing. Sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper to taste.

origin of caesar salad

The Caesar Salad was invented in the 1920’s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. His restaurant was frequented by customers traveling from California to Tijuana to avoid Prohibition. According to his daughter, Rose Cardini, one night there were so many customers that Caesar “simply wasn’t prepared for that many people.” He improvised by using what he had: lettuce stalks, olive oil, raw egg, croutons, parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Originally intended as finger food, he used whole lettuce leaves, which were to be dipped in the dressing and eaten with the fingers. Over time, it evolved into the Caesar Salad we know and love today.

what to add to caesar salad

Looking for the perfect protein to turn your salad into a satisfying meal? These are some of our favorites!

• Blackened Chicken
• Blackened Salmon
• Pan Fried Chicken
• Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• Steak Bites
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Blackened Shrimp
• Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp