The perfect Ensalada Cesar (Caesar Salad) recipe for an easy weeknight dinner, a quick lunch or for gatherings. The homemade croutons and dressing elevates this simple salad to amazing level!
Since Caesar salad was created in Tijuana Mexico by by an Italian-American chef named Caesar Cardini, I thought it fits this blog perfectly. Besides it has become one of my favorite salads lately!
When the key ingredients are homemade, the results are superb. This popular dish, with its crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and creamy dressing, is a masterpiece that has won hearts around the world.
My friends, I’m so happy to share this Ensalada Cesar recipe with you to create a restaurant-quality Caesar salad at home! Go make it!
Why you’ll love it
- Customize it exactly how you like it. Want a full meal? Add grilled chicken or shrimp!
- Easy ingredients. The dressing is made with mayonnaise which cuts the number of ingredients you need to gather.
- Quick and Easy: It doesn’t require extensive cooking or preparation, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re short on time.
*** Make sure to read the entire blog post. Every step matters since I provide helpful tips along the way!
Ingredients
A Caesar salad is only as good as its ingredients, and the classic version doesn’t disappoint:
- Romaine Lettuce: The crisp leaves are the foundation of the salad, providing a satisfying crunch. If you can’t find romaine lettuce, you can substitute with a firm green lettuce.
- Croutons: I highly recommend you whip a quick batch of homemade croutons.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use the shaved or grated kind. It adds a salty, umami flavor that compliments the dressing.
- Caesar Dressing: The dressing is the heart of the salad. I make my own with mayonnaise, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovies. It’s what gives the Caesar salad its distinctive flavor.
- Optional: Top with a huevo cocido (boiled egg) or grilled chicken.
How to Make Ensalada Cesar
Great salad, though it wilts quickly. Be sure to just make enough to feed your dinner company, it doesn’t keep well when stored with the dressing mixed in.
- Whisk all ingredients together in bowl.
Traditional Caesar dressing includes anchovies, which contribute to its unique flavor. Don’t be afraid of it! If you’re hesitant, start with a small amount and adjust to your taste.
Place the dressing in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the oven rack is in the center position.
- In a large mixing bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes. Sprinkle with the herbs, salt and pepper. Toss well to combine and saturate all cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the croutons are golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye on them, as they can quickly go from golden to burnt.
- Toss lettuce with enough dressing to cover the lettuce. Add more if needed. Then add the croutons, 3/4 cup Parmesan, optional protein. Toss to combine.
Note: remember, when it comes to salad dressings, “You can always add but you cannot take away!”. Add a little bit at the beginning then add more to taste.
Tips and Note
- Use fresh and crisp romaine lettuce as the base. Check for any wilted or discolored leaves and remove them.
- Invest in good-quality Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for the best flavor.
- For homemade croutons, use day-old bread or baguette for optimal crunchiness.
Storing: Use an airtight container and place a few paper towels in the container to absorb moisture. Store all ingredients separately to avoid a soggy salad.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is so versatile and it can be served in a few ways. Here are just a few ideas.
- For a complete meal add some protein like grilled or rotisserie chicken or grilled shrimp and even crispy bacon!
- Make it into a wrap with flour tortillas and air fried chicken strips.
- Accompany your main dish with a Caesar salad on the side. It pairs well with a variety of entrees, such as grilled chicken, steak, or seafood.
- Set up a salad bar for gatherings, allowing guests to customize their salads with various toppings, proteins, and dressings.
More Salads Recipes
Thank you for stopping by!
I hope you like this recipe! Do you have any questions I can help you with? Or if you made it, I would love it if you leave a comment or rating below.
Gracias!!!! xx, Ana
Print Recipe:
Ensalada Cesar (Classic Caesar Salad)
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (= 1 whole lemon)
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves minced finely
- 3 anchovy fillets rinsed, patted dry and minced finely
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon table salt (just a pinch)
- 2 cups baguette, ciabatta, or any bread of your choice cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Herbs or seasonings of your choice (e.g., dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 16 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 2 heads) large outer leaves discarded, washed, dried.
- 1 cup parmesan cheese in slivers or grated.
- 2 cups choice of protein: grilled or baked chicken. Grilled shrimp. optional
- 2 Boiled eggs, cut in half. optional
Instructions
Make The Dressing
- Whisk all ingredients together in bowl. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.⅔ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (= 1 whole lemon), 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 garlic cloves, 3 anchovy fillets, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon table salt (just a pinch)
Make The Croutons
- Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the oven rack is in the center position.
- In a large mixing bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes. Sprinkle with the herbs, salt and pepper. Toss well to combine and saturate all cubes.2 cups baguette, ciabatta, or any bread of your choice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, Herbs or seasonings of your choice (e.g., dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning), Salt and pepper, to taste
- Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the croutons are golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye on them, as they can quickly go from golden to burnt.
Assemble The Salad
- Toss lettuce with enough dressing to cover the lettuce. Add more if needed. Then add the croutons, 3/4 cup Parmesan, optional protein. Toss to combine.
- Note: remember, when it comes to salad dressings, "You can always add but you cannot take away!". Add a little bit at the beginning then add more to taste.
- Serve on separate plates and sprinkle with more cheese if desired.
Muy Delish Notes:
-
- Use fresh and crisp romaine lettuce as the base. Check for any wilted or discolored leaves and remove them.
- Invest in good-quality Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for the best flavor.
- For homemade croutons, use day-old bread or baguette for optimal crunchiness.Storing: Use an airtight container and place a few paper towels in the container to absorb moisture. Store all ingredients separately to avoid a soggy salad.
- Nutrition per serving assuming 4 servings as a side dish (no protein included) with 2/3 of the Dressing used.
Add Your Own Private Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
This looks so good! I love the homemade croutons. That really makes it for me.
Thank you! I am glad you like it.
Thank you! yes and is the croutons are easy to make.
I just made this salad and the homemade croutons were definitely worth it! I never realized what a difference a good crouton makes – I used dried oregano for the herb seasoning. Thank you so much for sharing!
Yes!! I they change the salad when you have good croutons and also you can make them with the flavor that you like and healthier. Thank you!
This caesar salad was so delicious! My family loved it and I was surprise how much my kids enjoyed this! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
OH so happy everyone enjoy it. Thank you for making it!
I made this for lunch today and it turned out great! It was light and flavorful and the dressing was creamy and delicious!
Thank you for making this and so happy you like it!!
This is such an easy caesar salad recipe! My family loved it with shrimp. Always disappointed in restaurant salads that come out with gloppy bottled dressing. Thank you!
Thank you and the good thing you know what ingredients you are eating and healthier.