Caesar salad is a timeless classic that has become a staple in home kitchens and on restaurant menus worldwide.
Crispy greens, crunchy croutons, and creamy dressing combine to form this iconic dish, but this simple recipe has countless variations.
In this blog, we've gathered our favorite Caesar salad recipes for you to try.
The Classic Caesar Salad
Caesar salad was created in the 1920s by Cesare Cardini, a restaurant owner in Tijuana.
The dish was originally prepared tableside, a tradition kept alive by many restaurants today.
Traditional Caesar salad is made with romaine lettuce and croutons and topped with Caesar dressing.
Ingredients in Caesar dressing can vary, but typically include the following:
Eggs
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Worcestershire sauce
Dijon mustard
Anchovies
Garlic
Parmesan
Black pepper
11 Creative & Delicious Twists on the Classic Caesar
Protein-Packed
1. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
All of the components of this recipe are grilled, including the romaine lettuce and croutons.
The result is a delightfully flavorful and crisp summer salad that makes a great main or side dish.
Recipe:
Marinate chicken breasts with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, mustard, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Grill the chicken, romaine hearts, and bread. Cut the bread into cubes to create croutons.
Combine sliced grilled chicken, romaine hearts, croutons, and Parmesan cheese, and top the salad with Caesar dressing.
Pro Tip: Season the romaine hearts with salt and pepper before grilling them to add more flavor.
2. Salmon Caesar Salad
This "Caesared" salmon salad provides a creative twist on the classic recipe.
The salmon is coated in Caesar dressing before grilling, creating a crisp and smoky crust.
Recipe:
Prepare croutons by drizzling bread pieces with melted butter, oil, and grated garlic.
Coat the salmon with Caesar dressing and grill it with a cut lemon until the salmon flakes easily. Grill the bread pieces until toasted.
Use a fork to tear the salmon into chunks over a bed of lettuce. Top with croutons, dressing, and grated Parmesan.
Pro Tip: Grill the salmon with the skin side down first to prevent the fish from falling apart.
3. Steak Caesar Salad
This recipe elevates your Caesar salad by adding cubed steak for a satiating kick of protein.
Recipe:
Apply a mixture of salt and cornstarch to the steak, then grill it to your desired doneness, flipping halfway through.
Cook seasoned breadcrumbs in a skillet until the bread is crispy.
Add Caesar dressing to lettuce, then add the steak and top the salad with Parmesan and bread crumbs.
Pro Tip: Place the steak in the freezer for 30 minutes before cooking to help it get crusty on the outside and stay juicy on the inside.
Vegetarian & Vegan
4. Plant-Based Caesar Salad
You can convert Caesar salad into a plant-based crowd-pleaser by swapping the Parmesan with vegan "cheese," the croutons with roasted chickpeas, and the Caesar dressing with a cashew sauce.
Recipe:
Prepare the plant-based dressing by blending soaked cashews, oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, capers, and vegan Worcestershire sauce with a splash of water.
Prepare the vegan Parmesan cheese by pulsing raw cashews, hemp seeds, garlic, nutritional yeast, oil, and salt until finely chopped.
Roast chickpeas at 400 degrees until lightly golden.
Combine the ingredients on a bed of chopped kale and romaine and top with the cashew sauce.
Pro Tip: Massage the kale with your hands before chopping it to give it a softer texture.
5. Grilled Veggie Caesar Salad
Seasoned grilled vegetables make the perfect addition to a Caesar salad.
To keep the recipe vegetarian, make sure your Worcestershire sauce doesn't contain anchovies.
Recipe:
Mix the dressing of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mashed hard-boiled eggs, and Parmesan.
Marinate chopped zucchini, eggplant, onion, and squash in soy sauce and orange juice, then grill them until tender.
Combine lettuce, grilled vegetables, and croutons with the Caesar dressing.
Pro Tip: To prevent the vegetables from getting soggy while cooking, avoid overcrowding the grill.
Grain & Pasta-Based
6. Kale & Quinoa Caesar Salad
Adding a hearty grain like quinoa can turn a Caesar salad from a side dish to a filling dinner recipe.
This kale and quinoa salad is also a great recipe to meal prep for lunches.
Recipe:
Prepare the Caesar dressing with sauteed garlic, oil, lemon, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Combine cooked quinoa and chopped kale, and pour the dressing over the salad.
Add Parmesan cheese, croutons, and other desired toppings.
Pro Tip: Cook the quinoa in vegetable or chicken broth to enhance its flavor.
7. Caesar Pasta Salad
If you're looking for a unique dish to bring to a summer barbecue, try this Caesar pasta salad made with a Greek yogurt dressing.
Recipe:
To prepare the croutons, cook sourdough pieces in butter over medium heat.
Combine Greek yogurt, garlic, Parmesan, mustard, lemon, anchovy paste, salt, and pepper in a blender to make the dressing.
Mix romaine lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan with the dressing until well coated.
Pro Tip: Use whole milk Greek yogurt to give the dressing a creamier and thicker texture.
International Twists
8. Greek Caesar Salad
This Greek-inspired Caesar salad is packed with Mediterranean flavors and makes a delicious side dish for chicken or fish.
Recipe:
Prepare a dressing of Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, oil, garlic, and oregano.
Combine romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, and red onion, and pour on the dressing.
Add feta, Parmesan, olives, chickpeas, salt, and pepper.
Pro Tip: Marinate the feta in oil, garlic, and lemon zest to enhance its flavor before adding it to the salad.
9. Mexican Caesar Salad
If you like your salads to have a slightly spicy kick, this Mexican Caesar salad is a must-try.
It has just the right balance of spicy, savory, and herby flavors.
Recipe:
Toast pepitas, jalapeno peppers, and garlic in the oven.
Prepare the dressing by combining olive oil, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, garlic, pepitas, jalapenos, cilantro, and cotija cheese in a food processor.
Tear romaine and kale leaves into bite-sized pieces, add the dressing, and top with pepitas, cotija cheese, and tortilla strips.
Pro Tip: Replace the Greek yogurt with a ripe avocado for a high-fiber, non-dairy substitute.
Dressing Variations
10. Greek Yogurt Dressing
Greek yogurt makes a delicious high-protein, low-fat substitute for mayonnaise in Caesar dressing.
This light recipe is quick and easy to prepare and can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
Recipe:
In a food processor, combine Parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, and anchovy fillets. Run the food processor until the ingredients are combined.
Add olive oil and Greek yogurt and run the food processor until the dressing is smooth.
Pro Tip: Use fresh Parmesan, lemon juice, and garlic for the most flavorful dressing.
11. Spicy Caesar Dressing
This spicy Caesar dressing, made with Calabrian chili peppers, adds just the right amount of heat to the salad.
Recipe:
In a mixing bowl, slowly whisk together mayonnaise, Calabrian chili pepper spread, mustard, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lemon, Parmesan, and pepper.
Continue whisking until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Pro Tip: If preparing the dressing in a blender or food processor, you can replace the chili pepper spread with whole Calabrian peppers.
Tips for the Best Caesar Salad
A traditional Caesar salad may be a simple recipe, but there are plenty of things you can do to kick the dish up a notch.
Here are our top tips for making the best Caesar salad:
Choose fresh, crisp lettuce that will maintain its bite even when coated in dressing, like Hitchcock Farms' romaine.
Use the inner leaves of the head of romaine for the best crunch.
Dunk the lettuce leaves in ice water to make them even fresher and crunchier.
Slightly old and stale bread makes perfect croutons that you can season exactly to your preferences.
Add the oil very slowly when preparing the Caesar dressing so that it emulsifies.
Slowly mix the dressing with the lettuce, tossing as you go. This will prevent you from accidentally adding too much dressing.
Squeeze a lemon over the salad before serving. The acidity will balance out the saltiness and creaminess of the dish.
Use freshly shaved or grated Parmesan cheese.
Caesar Salad: A Classic With Endless Variations
Caesar salad can be a light and simple lunch, a side dish at a summer cookout, or a hearty main.
This classic salad can be dressed up in practically limitless ways, so we hope you feel inspired to try out some new recipes.
Here at Hitchcock Farms, we're committed to growing the highest quality produce that will make your favorite meals taste even fresher.
FAQ
Can I make Caesar salad ahead of time?
You can make Caesar salad ahead of time, but it's best to store the salad, dressing, and croutons separately and combine them right before you serve the dish so the ingredients don't get soggy.
What lettuce works best besides romaine?
Hearty and crunchy greens like kale and iceberg make excellent bases for Caesar salad.
Can I store leftover Caesar salad?
You can save leftover Caesar salad for 1-3 days in an airtight container, but the dressing will make the greens wilt fairly quickly.
Storing the ingredients separately will increase the shelf life of the salad.
