This creamy Caesar salad is a fresh twist on the classic. It is rich, tangy, and easy enough for busy weeknights. The homemade dressing comes together fast, tastes restaurant quality, and works with way more than just romaine.
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Ingredients
- Anchovies - This creamy Caesar salad is a fresh twist on the classic. It is rich, tangy, and easy enough for busy weeknights. The homemade dressing comes together fast, tastes restaurant quality, and works with way more than just romaine.
- Lettuce - Romaine and kale hold up best to creamy dressing.
- Tomatoes - Cherry, cocktail, plum, or any sweet and flavorful tomatoes.
- Mayonnaise - The base of the creamy Caesar dressing.
- Olive oil - Good quality extra virgin olive oil helps create a smooth texture
- Parmesan - For a smoother dressing, reduce the amount to one half cup or less.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥣 How To Make Caesar Salad Step By Step
- Mash the sardine or anchovy into a paste in a small bowl or mason jar.
- Add the remaining dressing ingredients. Whisk well or shake the jar until smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour so the flavors blend.
- Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl. Stir the dressing again, pour over the salad, and toss gently.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with lemon slices, croutons, extra parmesan, and cracked black pepper.
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Pyrex Glass Food Storage Containers
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Let the dressing rest: Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before using it. This gives the flavors time to blend and creates a smoother, more balanced Caesar dressing.
Tips
- Sugar - Optional, but helpful. It does not make the dressing sweet. It balances acidity and boosts overall flavor.
- Whisk vigorously - Slowly whisk the olive oil into the dressing or use a jar and shake hard for a smooth texture.
- Serve right away - This salad is best enjoyed the same day so the lettuce stays crisp.
- Make-ahead tips - Prep everything separately. Chop lettuce and tomatoes, cook eggs, and mix the dressing. Refrigerate for up to 2 days and combine just before serving.
❌ Don’t Make These Caesar Salad Mistakes
- Overdressing the salad - Caesar dressing is rich. Start with a small amount and add more if needed so the lettuce stays crisp, not soggy.
- Skipping the rest time for the dressing - Freshly mixed dressing tastes good, but resting it in the fridge helps the flavors fully develop.
- Not whisking the oil properly - Pouring oil in too fast can cause separation. Whisk slowly or shake in a jar for a smooth, creamy texture.
- Using warm ingredients - Warm lettuce or dressing wilts the salad fast. Chill everything before tossing.
- Letting the salad sit too long - Caesar salad is best right after tossing. Waiting too long causes the lettuce to soften and lose crunch.
🍱 Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Store leftover Caesar salad and dressing separately whenever possible. Keep the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Once dressed, the salad is best eaten the same day for best texture.
What To Serve With Caesar Salad
This Caesar salad pairs well with:
- Stuffed shells - The creamy dressing balances rich, cheesy pasta dishes.
- Roasted chicken or turkey - A fresh, crisp side that works with simple weeknight roasts or holiday leftovers.
- Grilled cheese - The cool, crunchy salad cuts through warm, melty sandwiches perfectly.
- Roast beef sandwiches - Adds freshness and contrast to hearty, savory sandwiches.
More Easy Side Dishes Recipes
📖Recipe
Caesar Salad With Dressing
Our spin on the classic caesar salad with dressing. So easy to throw together and is full of rich flavors, perfectly creamy dressing that can be used in many of your favorite salads. Featuring eggs, crunchy croutons, and tomatoes - a perfect salad for any occasion.
Ingredients
Caesar Salad
- 4 eggs, cooked through
- 10 Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- Lemon wedges or slices for serving
- 5 cups Lettuce of choice, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan shavings for serving
- Herb Croutons for serving
Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 smoked sardine/anchovies, backbone removed
- 3-5 tablespoons of good quality olive oil
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- ¾ cup parmesan, grated
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons of sour cream
- ½ teaspoon dijon
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Mash the sardine in a large bowl. Add all the remaining dressing ingredients. Stir to combine and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour for the flavors to blend.
- Meanwhile, combine all the salad ingredients in a bowl. When the dressing is refrigerated enough, give it a good stir and pour over the salad.
- Garnish with lemon slices, croutons, more parmesan shavings, black cracked pepper and dig in!
Notes
- Dressing - you should end up with almost 1 & ½ cups of the ready-made Caesar salad dressing. You don't have to add all of it to the salad, start with a little drizzle in the beginning and see if you need more. The most common serving size for dressing is 2 tablespoons.
- Nutrition - calories mentioned are per 1 & ½ cups of caesar dressing.
- Salad ingredients are for 4 smaller salad portions and you will not use the whole caesar salad dressing.
- Properly sealed dressing stored in a jar or food container will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- What can I substitute for anchovies? Anchovies give that impeccable umami flavor to the dish but not everyone loves the smell of anchovies. You can easily substitute anchovies with sardines, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce (add to the sauce but don’t smell it!), soy sauce, shrimp paste, miso paste, kalamata olives paste.
- Why is my Caesar dressing separating? Caesar salad may separate if you may have added too much olive oil and not whisked well. Olive oil should be added while vigorously stirring the rest of the ingredients in a smaller bowl or even better a glass jar.
Nutrition
Calories: 1023kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Looking for another easy vegetarian recipe? Try this Vegetarian Pesto Pasta and Sesame Cabbage Stir Fry.
FAQs
Does Caesar dressing have anchovies?
Traditional Caesar dressing was not creamy and did not include anchovies. Over time, anchovies and eggs were added to create the rich version most people recognize today.
What can I substitute for anchovies?
Anchovies add umami flavor, but they are easy to replace. Use sardines, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, miso paste, shrimp paste, or kalamata olive paste. Add directly to the dressing.
Why is my Caesar dressing separating?
This usually happens when too much olive oil is added too quickly or the dressing is not whisked enough. Add oil slowly while whisking or use a jar and shake well.
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