I’ll be honest with you—I wasn’t always a salad person. Most salads felt boring or too plain for me. But then I tried a Caesar salad for the first time at a friend’s dinner, and it changed my mind.
It was fresh, crunchy, creamy, and full of flavor. No dull taste, no boring bites—just simple, good food. That’s when I thought, I need to make this at home.
And guess what? It turned out to be super easy, and now it’s one of my favorite go-to recipes.
If you’ve never made a Caesar salad at home before, trust me, you’re going to love how quick, tasty, and fresh it is. Let’s get into it.
Ingredients You Will Need
The best part about Caesar salad is that it doesn’t need fancy or hard-to-find ingredients. Most of these you probably already have at home. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Romaine lettuce – fresh, washed, and chopped
- Bread slices – for crunchy croutons
- Olive oil – to toast croutons and mix in dressing
- Garlic – for flavor (fresh is best)
- Parmesan cheese – grated, gives the salad that classic taste
- Egg yolk or mayonnaise – to make the dressing creamy
- Lemon juice – for freshness
- Dijon mustard – just a little for tang
- Anchovy paste (optional) – adds a deep, salty kick (skip if you don’t like it)
- Salt and black pepper – to taste
How to Make the Croutons
Croutons are the crunchy heart of a Caesar salad. They’re easy to make at home, and honestly, way better than store-bought ones.
- Cut bread slices into small cubes.
- Heat a pan, add a little olive oil.
- Toss the bread cubes in, sprinkle with salt, and toast until golden brown and crispy.
- Set them aside to cool.
That’s it! Simple, quick, and your kitchen already smells amazing.
The Creamy Caesar Dressing
This is what makes the salad shine. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated.
- In a small bowl, mix egg yolk (or mayo if you prefer) with a spoon of Dijon mustard.
- Add minced garlic, lemon juice, and a little anchovy paste if you’re using it.
- Slowly whisk in olive oil until it turns creamy.
- Add grated Parmesan, a pinch of salt, and black pepper.
Taste it—you’ll see how bold, fresh, and creamy it is.
Putting It All Together
Now comes the fun part.
- Take your chopped romaine lettuce in a big bowl.
- Pour the dressing over and toss well so every leaf gets coated.
- Add in your homemade croutons.
- Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top.
That’s it—you’ve made a classic Caesar salad at home in less than 25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It Too
This Caesar salad is not just a “side dish.” It’s crunchy, creamy, and full of flavor. It feels light yet filling, and it works for any meal—lunch, dinner, or even a quick snack.
I like it because it’s refreshing and never feels heavy. And the best part? It’s always a hit when I make it for friends or family.