Delicious Caesar Salad made with a homemade creamy dressing. This salad has crispy romaine lettuce, shredded Parmesan cheese and crispy croutons all combined with a garlic Caesar dressing.
Perfect for a light dinner or lunch.
Why make this recipe
Caesar salads are packed full of flavor with a garlicky dressing and crunch from the romaine lettuce and seasoned croutons.
There's no need to grab a bag of prepared salad at the grocery store when you can have this tasty salad made with fresh ingredients in almost the same amount of time.
This is one of our favorite salads at home, when we go out to eat and even when we go camping!
I simply prepare everything and place each ingredient in individual zip top bags. At camp, I just throw everything in a large bowl, toss and serve.
Key ingredients
- Romaine lettuce - chopped
- Caesar dressing - make your own or buy a jar of prepared dressing
- Parmesan cheese - grated
- Garlic croutons - make your own or buy from store
- Fresh lemon - optional, but adds a little extra zing to the salad
Step by step directions
- Place chopped lettuce in a large bowl
- Drizzle dressing on top. Using two large spoons toss until lettuce is well coated
- Sprinkle on cheese and croutons. Toss again.
- Squeeze lemon juice over salad and toss
Tips for making Caesar Salad
- Cut lettuce into similar sized pieces. I like my cut into 2 inch pieces.
- Use fresh lemon juice - not bottled
- Use shredded or grated Parmesan cheese. Do not use powdered Parmesan that comes in the can. That doesn't work well for this salad
- Choose your favorite croutons - you can use garlic croutons, seasoned croutons, Caesar croutons or make your own
- Use a bowl large enough so you can toss everything around. You want the dressing evenly distributed over every leaf of lettuce.
- Don't skip the tossing of the salad with the dressing. Simply pouring the dressing over the top of the salad does not produce the same effect.
Recipe Faqs
It was named after Caesar Cardini who first came up with the salad in 1924 in Mexico. The name and the recipe have survived almost a century!
Yes, but you want to assemble the salad just before serving. To make ahead of time, chop romaine lettuce and store in a plastic bag. Grate Parmesan cheese and store in a plastic bag. If you are making your own dressing, make and store in refrigerator. Have croutons ready.
Just before serving, add everything to a large bowl. Toss until dressing coats everything and serve.
Serving suggestions
Caesar salad can be a side dish or a main dish. I'd have to say we probably eat it equally as a side dish or a main. When eating as a main dish, we often add one grilled chicken breasts or sliced flank steak. Serve with buttery garlic breadsticks or cheesy pesto bread.
I also make Chicken Caesar Wraps using this salad.
More delicious salads
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Looking for more great salads? Check out all my salad recipes!
Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 2 heads romaine lettuce (trimmed and chopped)
- ¼ cup creamy Caesar dressing
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- ¼ cup croutons
- ½ lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Place chopped lettuce in a large bowl.
- Drizzle dressing on top. Using two large spoons toss until lettuce is well coated.
- Sprinkle on cheese and croutons. Toss again.
- Squeeze lemon juice over salad and toss. (lemon juice is optional)
Video
Notes
- Cut lettuce into similar sized pieces. I like my cut into 2 inch pieces.
- Use fresh lemon juice - not bottled
- Use shredded or grated Parmesan cheese. Do not use powdered Parmesan that comes in the can. That doesn't work well for this salad
- Choose your favorite croutons - you can use garlic croutons, seasoned croutons, Caesar croutons or make your own
- Use a bowl large enough so you can toss everything around. You want the dressing evenly distributed over every leaf of lettuce.
Fred G says
Great way to use lettuce from my garden
David @ Spiced says
I absolutely love a good Caesar salad, and I've been craving one ever since you posted your Caesar dressing recipe. I guess I just need to put the ingredients on the shopping list, huh? 🙂 This salad looks phenomenal, my friend!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Hands down my favorite kind of salad Kathy! And I loved your homemade caesar drssing too!
Dawn says
A classic for good reason! You surely put your caesar dressing to good use! And now I'm craving! Pinned 🙂