Our Best Caesar Salad is a tangy well-balanced side for anything from a dinner party to a night in with the family. We make our family favorite crunchy homemade croutons and fresh creamy dressing for this good salad. Our kids love to eat the leftover croutons and dip them in the extra dressing; this salad recipe is the gold standard in our home for dinner parties or a date night at home!

At Avdaye, we add lots of tips in all of our recipes – because we are a home cook without any formal training, and we find we are more confident making dishes when we understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. Our goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Make Homemade Caesar Salad

Caesar dressing is surprisingly simple to make with a few fresh ingredients and a quick whisk or blend!

Caesar Recipe Ingredients

To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:

French Baguettecut into ¼ inch cubes (½) – Day-old French baguette cubes create perfectly crunchy, rustic croutons.
Olive oil (3 tbsp) – Olive oil coats the bread cubes to help them toast evenly and add rich flavor.
Garlic (1 tsp) – Pressed garlic infuses the croutons with a bold, savory aroma.
Parmesan cheese (2 tbsp) – Finely grated Parmesan adds a nutty, salty coating to the croutons.
Oil packed anchovy filets (6) – Anchovy filets provide deep umami flavor and the signature punch in Caesar dressing.
Garlic cloves (2) – Fresh garlic gives the dressing a sharp, pungent base.
Sea salt (1 ½ tsp) – Sea salt enhances all the flavors and balances the dressing's acidity.
Mayo (2 tbsp) – Mayonnaise adds creaminess and helps emulsify the dressing without raw egg.
Fresh lemon juice (4 tbsp) – Lemon juice brightens the dressing with a fresh, tangy note.
Dijon mustard (1 ½ tsp) – Dijon mustard gives the dressing depth and helps it emulsify smoothly.
Olive oil (½ cup plus 4 tbsp) – Olive oil forms the creamy backbone of the dressing and brings richness.
Parmesan cheese (6 tbsp) – Parmesan blended into the dressing adds savory, cheesy complexity.
Romaine lettuce (1 large) – Romaine lettuce offers crisp, sturdy leaves suited to holding the bold dressing.
Parmesan cheese (? cup) – Shaved Parmesan on top gives each bite a nutty, elegant finish.

Caesar Salad Instructions

Once you've gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:

Make Croutons

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl combine the oil, garlic, salt, and parmesan cheese. Place the bread cubes in the oil mixture and toss, spread on the baking sheet evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through until light golden and crisp. Allow to cool completely

Make Dressing

Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

Assemble Salad

Clean, spin, and dry the romaine lettuce. Place the lettuce in the salad bowl, top with the parmesan cheese and croutons and drizzle with the dressing.

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Kitchen notes

Use fresh romaine – Crisp, cold romaine hearts give the best texture and crunch.

Dry the lettuce thoroughly – Wet leaves dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.

Use high-quality Parmesan – Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano adds rich, nutty flavor.

Emulsify the dressing well – Whisk or blend slowly when adding oil to create a creamy consistency.

Balance anchovy flavor – Mash them finely or use anchovy paste to distribute flavor evenly.

Season the dressing carefully – Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice before dressing the salad.

Toss gently but thoroughly – Coat every leaf evenly without bruising the lettuce.

Serve immediately – Caesar salad is best served fresh before the croutons lose their crunch.

A few answers

Do we have to use anchovies in Caesar dressing?

While traditional Caesar dressing includes anchovies for umami flavor, you can use anchovy paste or Worcestershire sauce as milder alternatives—or omit them entirely for a vegetarian version.

Can we make Caesar salad ahead of time?

You can prep the components (lettuce, croutons, dressing) in advance, but toss them together before serving to prevent sogginess.

How long does homemade Caesar dressing last in the fridge?

It usually stays fresh for up to 3–5 days when stored in an airtight container.

How do we keep croutons crispy?

Store croutons in an airtight container at room temperature and only add them to the salad right before serving.

Can we add protein to Caesar salad?

Yes, grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, or salmon are all popular additions that turn it into a hearty meal.

Is Parmesan cheese essential?

Yes, fresh Parmesan adds key flavor, but you can use Pecorino Romano or a vegetarian hard cheese if needed.

Can we make it gluten-free?

Absolutely—use gluten-free bread for croutons or omit them altogether.

Ingredients

½ French Baguette, cut into ¼ inch cubes, day old
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp pressed garlic, or minced
2 tbsp parmesan cheese, finely grated
6 oil packed anchovy filets
2 large garlic cloves
1 ½ tsp sea salt
2 tbsp mayo
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
½ cup plus 4 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp parmesan cheese
1 large romaine lettuce
⅓ cup parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a small bowl combine the oil, garlic, salt, and parmesan cheese.
Place the bread cubes in the oil mixture and toss, spread on the baking sheet evenly.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through until light golden and crisp. Allow to cool completely
Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Taste the mixture and add more lemon or salt as needed.
Clean, spin, and dry the romaine lettuce. Place the lettuce in the salad bowl, top with the parmesan cheese and croutons and drizzle with the dressing.
Toss the salad to coat and enjoy!