Classic Caesar Salad

By Emily Richter

4/21/2026

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With a rich, creamy homemade Caesar dressing, crisp romaine lettuce, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and seasoned croutons, this classic Caesar salad is the GOAT. Simple ingredients are key to this dinnertime staple, and this salad comes together easily.

You’ll notice my recipe includes an egg yolk and anchovy paste, traditional ingredients for Caesar dressing – see the recipe notes for substitutions. One taste of this salad and you’ll never buy premade Caesar dressing again!

What You’ll Need

Classic Caesar salad comes together with chopped crunchy romaine, grated Parmesan cheese, and your favorite croutons all tossed in a delightful from-scratch dressing. It’s truly the star of this recipe! Here’s what you need for this homemade Caesar dressing:

• Egg yolk: Yes, a raw egg yolk! It serves as an emulsifier, creating a thick, creamy texture. See below for an egg-free option.
• Dijon mustard: Adds a welcome tang that complements the other flavors.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds the perfect amount of acidity to balance out the creamy dressing.
• Olive oil: The liquid base of the dressing. Slowly add the olive oil while continuously whisking. (Start with 1/2 cup and add up to another 1/4 cup until the desired consistency is reached – more oil will create a thinner dressing.)
• Anchovy paste: A must! This adds and authentic depth of flavor. If you’d like to use whole anchovy filets, see below.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty flavor.
• Garlic: Grated garlic adds savory flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce: A splash adds a bit of kick and brings out the other flavors.
• Salt + pepper: To season the dressing.

How to Make Classic Caesar Salad

1. Make the dressing. Whisk the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice together. Slowly drizzle olive oil into the bowl while whisking vigorously. Mix in the anchovy paste, Parmesan cheese, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and salt.
2. Refrigerate the salad dressing for at least 30 minutes. This is totally optional but does enhance all of the amazing flavors!
3. Toss the salad (romaine, Parmesan cheese, and croutons) with the dressing immediately prior to serving to ensure maximum freshness and crunchiness.
4. Serve and enjoy!

Easy Swaps & Variations

• Use homemade croutons.
• Add grilled chicken for extra protein.
• Instead of romaine, try shredded baby kale or mixed greens.
• For a little crunch, add roasted chickpeas or crispy bacon bits.
• Swap the Parmesan in the salad for crumbled feta or blue cheese.

Serving Ideas

Classic Caesar salad is such a versatile appetizer or side that pairs well with just about any main course. To continue with an Italian-themed meal, serve alongside cheesy garlic bread and lemon ricotta pasta, million dollar spaghetti, baked ziti, or stuffed shells with meat sauce.

For a heartier meal, try pairing it with Italian stuffed peppers, chicken Alfredo, creamy mushroom chicken, or Parmesan crusted pork chops.

​Storage Instructions

Leftover Caesar salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The romaine is hearty and won’t wilt much.

If you have leftover salad dressing, transfer it to a jar and refrigerate for about a week. Shake well before using.

Caesar Salad Recipe

With a rich and tangy homemade dressing, crisp romaine lettuce, and flavorful croutons, classic Caesar salad has stood the test of time. It's simple, flavorful, and you'll never want to use store-bought dressing again. Don't skip the anchovy paste – trust me!

By: Emily Richter

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

Caesar Dressing (yields ~1 cup)

• ▢ 1 large egg yolk*
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ 1/2 cup olive oil, up to 3/4 cup
• ▢ 1 teaspoon anchovy paste*
• ▢ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic, grated
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• ▢ Salt to taste

Caesar Salad

• ▢ 9-10 oz. romaine lettuce, chopped (~5 cups)
• ▢ 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 1 cup croutons

Instructions 

Make the Dressing

• Whisk the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice together in a medium bowl. It should be frothy on top.
  
• Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the bowl while whisking vigorously. It should thicken in consistency.
  
• Add the anchovy paste, Parmesan cheese, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and cracked black pepper. Whisk to combine. Add salt to taste. Set aside.
  

Assemble the Salad

• Toss the romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and croutons together in a large bowl.
  
• Dress the salad. Begin with 1/2 cup of Caesar dressing, adding more until the salad is dressed to your liking.
  

Tips & Notes

• Storage instructions: Store the salad dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• No egg yolk? No problem. Instead of a raw egg yolk, skip it or replace with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise.
• Anchovies: I like to use anchovy paste for ease. Instead of paste, replace with 2 minced anchovy filets.

Nutrition

Calories: 407 kcal, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 11 g, Fat: 36 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 1 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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