Crisp Classic Caesar Salad with Tangy Dressing (Print Version)

My Classic Caesar Salad recipe features crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and a zesty, creamy dressing. A fresh, satisfying side or light meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ For the Crisp Romaine

01 - 2 heads romaine lettuce, washed and thoroughly dried

→ For the Zesty Dressing

02 - 1 large egg yolk
03 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
05 - 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
06 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced
08 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ For the Crunchy Croutons & Toppings

10 - 2 cups day-old crusty bread, cubed (sourdough or baguette works great)
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - Pinch of salt
14 - Pinch of black pepper
15 - Extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - First, let’s get that romaine ready. Wash and thoroughly dry your lettuce leaves. This is crucial for a crisp Classic Caesar Salad; wet lettuce means sad dressing. Tear them into bite-sized pieces and pop them in the fridge while you get the croutons going. For the croutons, cube your day-old bread into about 1-inch pieces. Toss them with a good drizzle of olive oil, a minced garlic clove, a pinch of salt, and some black pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crunchy. Keep an eye on them, I’ve definitely over-toasted a batch or two!
02 - Now for the star of the show: the dressing! In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. This is where the magic starts to happen. I find a small whisk works best here to really get everything incorporated. You want it smooth and slightly pale. Don't worry if it looks a bit thin right now, we're building layers of flavor and texture, you know?
03 - Time to add the olive oil! This part is important for that creamy Classic Caesar Salad texture. Slowly, in a very thin, steady stream, drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking constantly. Honestly, my arm gets a workout here! Keep whisking until the dressing thickens and emulsifies, looking lovely and creamy. If you pour too fast, it can break, and that's an "oops" moment I've had more than once. Just keep that stream super thin!
04 - Once your dressing is beautifully emulsified, it's time to season. Stir in a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This is your chance to make it perfect for *your* palate. I always taste a little bit on a piece of romaine to get the seasoning just right. Does it need more lemon? More garlic? Trust your instincts here; you're the chef!
05 - In a large salad bowl, combine your chilled romaine lettuce and the cooled, crunchy croutons. Pour about half of your homemade Classic Caesar Salad dressing over the top. Gently toss everything together, making sure every leaf and crouton gets a nice coating. I usually use my hands for this, it just feels more authentic and ensures an even distribution without bruising the lettuce. Add more dressing if you like, but don't drown it!
06 - Plate your gorgeous Classic Caesar Salad immediately. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese and maybe a few cracks of black pepper. Sometimes I add a few anchovy fillets if I'm feeling fancy, or even some grilled chicken for a fuller meal. It should look vibrant, smell garlicky and zesty, and taste utterly satisfying. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, you deserve it!

# Notes:

01 - Always use fresh, cold romaine; it’s the secret to a truly crisp salad.
02 - Store dressing separately from the greens and croutons to avoid sogginess, learned that the hard way!
03 - If you don't have Worcestershire, a tiny bit of anchovy paste in the dressing adds similar umami.
04 - Rubbing the serving bowl with a cut garlic clove before tossing really boosts the flavor.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large salad bowl
02 - small whisk
03 - cutting board
04 - sharp knife
05 - baking sheet

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 18g
Protein: 10g

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