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Restaurant-Style Caesar Salad with Creamy Homemade Dressing

Close-up of a fresh caesar salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, creamy dressing, grated parmesan, and golden croutons.
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Make a truly unforgettable Caesar salad at home in under 20 minutes. This recipe focuses on crisp romaine, rich homemade Caesar dressing from scratch, and savory Parmesan croutons for a restaurant-quality result.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads of romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • 1 cup homemade croutons
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • For the Homemade Caesar Dressing:
  • 2 large egg yolks (pasteurized if concerned about raw eggs)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional, for authentic flavor)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil (like canola or grapeseed)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the croutons and chicken (if using grilled chicken Caesar salad variation) ahead of time to keep the total time under 20 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste (if using). Whisk until the mixture lightens slightly.
  3. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and neutral oil, whisking constantly and vigorously until the dressing emulsifies and thickens into a creamy consistency. This step creates the best creamy Caesar dressing from scratch.
  4. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Season the dressing generously with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. In a large bowl, place the chopped crisp romaine lettuce. Pour about half of the homemade Caesar dressing over the lettuce.
  6. Toss the lettuce gently until all leaves are lightly coated. Add more dressing as needed, but avoid over-dressing.
  7. Add the homemade croutons and the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss once more lightly.
  8. Divide the salad among serving plates. Top each serving with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a final grind of black pepper. Serve immediately for the best texture.

Notes

  • For a quick, healthy lunch idea, top this classic Caesar salad with 4 ounces of pre-cooked grilled chicken breast per serving.
  • If you skip the anchovy paste, the dressing will still be flavorful, making this recipe suitable for vegetarian salad options.
  • To achieve that restaurant-style Caesar salad crunch, ensure your romaine lettuce is completely dry before tossing with the dressing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://littlekitchendiary.com/caesar-salad-restaurant-style-creamy-dressing/