Long live the Caesar Salad! This homemade Caesar Salad Dressing will rival that of any great restaurant. Add chicken to make a meal, top with a poached or fried egg, or serve it straight up the classic way.
For a lighter dressing option, try this mayo-free Caesar salad dressing – it’s incredible!
Caesar Salad
I’m going to call it – Caesar salad is a pain to make, calling for an inordinate amount of pots and pans to be dirtied in the name of just one salad.
Food processor for the dressing – and the mayo makes it all greasy which is a pain to clean (or hogs an enormous amount of dishwasher space)
Baking tray for the croutons
Skillet for the bacon
Cutting board
Giant bowl to toss the salad – you’ve really gotta toss with abundance when using creamy dressing, can’t do it in the serving bowl
Serving bowl
All that for ONE salad.
And yet, we do it. Because it’s worth it!! Especially the creamy dressing!
What goes in Caesar Salad
There’s all sorts of variations around, but the classic is made with:
cos lettuce (aka romaine) – or iceberg will do in a pinch!
crispy bacon
croutons – garlic croutons, at that!
Caesar Salad Dressing
parmesan cheese, for finishing
With the rich dressing, I find that even a “plain” Caesar salad is filling enough as it is to have as a meal. But a common addition, which you often find on the menu of bistros, is chicken and egg. Adds protein and makes it even more satisfying – so I’ve included these are optional in the recipe below!
Homemade Caesar salad dressing recipe
If you’ve never tried homemade Caesar Salad Dressing before, you’re in for a real treat. It is absolutely sensational, and not even the poshest gourmet store can compare to a fresh homemade one.
The secret ingredient is anchovy. I know some people might scrunch up their faces at the thought of anchovy in a dressing, but seriously! It is the secret ingredient that will turn a “pretty good” dressing into a restaurant quality one!
Oh and PS. If you’ve had and loved Caesar Salad when eating out, you ate anchovies. So stop the nose scrunching!!😂
What goes in Caesar Salad
Here’s what you need:
How to make Caesar Salad
And here’s how to make it. (I already forewarned you – LOTS of washing up. TOTALLY worth it!)
Wondering if Caesar salad is healthy? Yes…and no!
Before we go any further – this might be a salad, but let me banish any misconception in your mind that Caesar salad is healthy. Fat in the dressing and the bacon.
But you know what? Calorie content aside, at least I’m getting lots of greens into my system, right??
Or put it this way – a giant bowl of Caesar Salad might have the same calories as a creamy pasta, but it’s got a whole lot more nutrition in it!
LOW CAL version!!
Just in case you’re reading all this but dreading the calorie count you’ll see when you scroll down to the recipe – DON’T WORRY! Here’s a (much) lower calorie Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing.
All the flavour, but made with a yogurt base instead of mayonnaise so it won’t have that same rich mouthfeel. But still creamy, same depth of flavour – and a whole lot healthier!
Can you even tell that this is the low fat version?? NOPE!
And after all of that, all those pots and pans you’ve dirtied – you get to munch your way through one of the greatest salads ever invented.
That fresh crisp lettuce. The crunchy garlic croutons. The salty pops of bacon. And that creamy homemade Caesar Salad Dressing.
Caesar Salad might take time to make, but it is worth every single second. Really, truly, cross my heart. – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Caesar Salad – with homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Hellman's or S&W Whole Egg) (Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp garlic , finely minced (use garlic press, if you can)
- 2 anchovy fillets or 3/4 tsp Anchovy paste (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese , or 1/3 cup store bought grated parmesan cheese (Note 3)
- 3 – 4 tbsp milk (to adjust consistency)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Garlic Croutons
- 2 – 3 slices white bread , 2/3" / 1.5cm thick (Note 4)
- 1 garlic , cut in half
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
Salad
- 150g / 5oz streaky bacon , cooked and chopped
- 10 cups cos / romaine lettuce , chopped, wash & dried (1 large, 2 medium, 3 small) (Note 5)
- Freshly grated parmesan , for garnish
Optional Extras – Chicken & Egg
- 2 – 4 eggs , cooked to your taste, peeled and halved
- 500g / 1lb chicken breast fillets (2 pieces)
- 1/2 tsp EACH salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Dressing
- Whizz all ingredients in food processor until smooth, starting with 3 tbsp milk.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired, and use milk to get the dressing to the desired consistency. (Note 6)
- Set aside for 20 minutes+ to allow flavours to develop.
Bacon
- Place bacon into a cold skillet (no oil), then turn onto medium high. Cook until golden, turn, cook other side until golden. Remove onto paper towels, cool, then chop.
Garlic Croutons
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
- Toast bread in the toaster for 1 minute (or oven for 2 minutes each side) until surface is dried but not browned.,
- Rub both sides of each piece of bread with the cut side of the garlic (Note 7).
- Remove crust from bread (optional) and cut into cubes – around 1.5 cups. Drizzle with 1 – 2 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with salt, then bake until golden, shaking the tray once. Sandwich bread will take around 7 minutes, sourdough and similar breads take 12 – 15 min.
Assemble
- Place lettuce in bowl with 1/2 the Dressing. Toss well, taste, then decide if you want more Dressing.
- Transfer to serving bowl. (Top with chicken and egg if using) Scatter over with bacon and croutons. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve!
OPTIONAL EXTRAS – Chicken & Egg
- Eggs: Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Place over medium high heat and bring to simmer. Once the water is simmering, turn down to medium (gentle simmer) and cook for 3 min (for soft centres), 4 min for firm yolks and 6 min for hard boiled. Remove eggs, run under cold water for 15 sec then leave submerged in a bowl of cold tap water for 5 min. Peel then set aside. (Note 6)
- Chicken: Either pound the chicken to about 1.2cm/ 1/2" even thickness, or slice each breast in half horizontally. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Use bacon fat remaining in skillet. Cook first side for 5 min, turn then cook the other side for 2 min. Remove, cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 min. Cut into slices.
Recipe Notes:
- Best / just as good – 3/4 tsp anchovy paste
- Next best – 1 tsp of fish sauce (yes really
- OK – extra 1/4 cup parmesan plus pinch of salt
Nutrition Information:
Originally published May 2016. Brand new video added, process steps and new photos – as well as an update on Life of Dozer!
Life of Dozer
Dozer munching on his greens… 🥬🧸
And from the original time I published this recipe:
No photobombing by Dozer today because a) he didn’t realise there was chicken and bacon in the salad; and b) he was having a good snooze after a rather active session at Bayview…. 😉
Hi Nagi! This dressing is the bomb!! I could drink it! I will never buy Caesar dressing again! BTW your sticky balsamic chicken is also the bomb! Gary gave it ten stars as he was licking his fingers! 🙂
SCREECH!!! YAY I’m so glad you like it!! I absolutely never buy Caesar Salad dressing, I bought it once and it was terrible!!! PS Please tell Gary I am so glad he enjoyed the drumsticks!!
One of my favorite salads. It’s a meal and tastes so so good. I feel bad that I still don’t have much salad recipes on my blog, mainly cuz I’m not so creative when it comes to making beautiful appealing salads, but yours looks gorgeous and yummy!
ME TOO!! Totally one of my all time faves!
Hi Nagi – I would advocate for making the base mayo too – egg yolk & grapeseed oil (plus all your other yummy additions) – and for everyone out there, homemade mayo is foolproof when done with a stickblender in a jar – i.e. put everything at once in a small jar (stickblender has to just fit!) – whizzed to perfection in 10 seconds!. The taste will be unsurpassable!!
Oooh, I really considered making this from total scratch, I thought I might homemade mayo as a separate post soon!
Its been years since I have had a Caesar salad Nagi because they are always so badly done but this looks fresh and delicious and the dressing and proper fresh grated parmesan. has anchovies!
I know, there are so many bad ones out there, but it’s crazy, it’s so easy to make!!! 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day Tania!
I have been wanting to try a homemade Caaesar for the longest time. This looks super deliciious Nagi ; on my list next.
I hope you do!! This dressing is the BOMB!!!!
I’m always surprised when people don’t put anchovies in their caesar dressing. I mean, what the?!?!? This Caesar looks sensational Nagi and it looks like Dozen had a great time!
I know, right?? It makes such a difference!!!
Hi Nagi, I love your dressing. This is Jon’s favorite salad, he orders it almost every time it is on the menu and he always asks for extra anchovies on the side. Your right about the anchovies in the dressing, it is a must and makes all the difference. Don’t tell Dozer about the bacon and chicken and eat this one all to yourself. 🙂
It’s my favourite salad too!! Say hi to Jon for me – hope you had a FAB Mother’s Day! N x
I would eat this salad every day!! It looks delicious and the sauce sounds perfect for it. I don’t like bottled dressings — I think they have a “funny” taste and I don’t like to spoil my salad with it. Can’t wait to make this
I can honestly say I have never bought dressing in a bottle, it just isn’t in my DNA! 🙂
Love caesar salad with chicken! And love the homemade dressing recipe as the bottled stuff is not good.
Nagi, I wonder, could a smidge of fish and soy sauces replace the anchovies tastewise? A whole tin of them would be wasted on me unless I wanted to eat caesar salad every day for a week! 😉
Hi Barb! You are BANG ON, fish sauce will be a great sub, 1 tsp is what I have used in the past. 🙂 I know what you mean about anchovies, I get the jar, it’s small and lasts forever. 🙂 A great way to use up leftovers is as a secret ingredient in pastas – chop it up and sauté with onions, it literally melts and adds a “something something” flavour to the sauce! Thanks for the question, I will update the recipe!
Ok, thanks! Good to know.
A big YES to homemade Caesar dressing! I adore a good creamy Caesar dressing, but I must say, I am not a fan of the bottle version. Will most certainly be using your recipe the next time I make a Caesar salad. Who can resist the crispy romaine lettuce, crunch croutons, salty parmesan…. and did someone mention bacon?! Argh… is it lunchtime yet?!
A dressing that’s so delicious it should be a dip!! 🙂
Hi Nagi
I hate to gainsay you,but never make ceaser salad dressing with parmesan cheese.
A good to excellent CSD is made with Roqfort cheese or areasonable subsitute is Blue cheese. (old and stinky)
If you use either of these two cheeses. I’m sure you will see a big difference.
Hi William! No parmesan in the dressing?? I must say I don’t think I’ve ever seen that! But I know it would be DELICIOUS with roqfort or blue cheese (the older and stinkier the better!), I must try it! Thank you for your advice William! 🙂 N x
I’ve been making this dressing for a while now. I love it’s creaminess. It’s a new family favourite.
Isn’t it the best?? Do you dunk veggies into it and have it like a dip too? I love it so much!!
Thank you for showing the Nutrition Fact on your recipes. There are other blogs that say they are “healthy”, and low this and low that but do not post the facts. I love coming here and your recipes are easy to make and great to eat. Amazing blog Nagi, I hope to keep coming here for many more recipes.
No hiding behind the fact that Caesar salad is not the healthiest!!! 🙂 But so delicious, I can’t resist it – and at least I get through TONS of salad!!
You make this recipe new again. Thanks, Nagi1
Awww thanks Victoria! <3 N x
Hi Nagi! YAY I have everything to make this and it is what we are having for dinner! We had a big Greek salad with Feta and olives last night with steamed shrimp on the side. We love anchovies so they are always in my pantry! As usual the shot of Dozer having so much fun is adorable! PS I’m so excited for you with your upcoming trip!!! 🙂
Hi Dorothy!!! I can’t believe it, it has snuck up on me so soon! You know that one of these days in the VERY near future, I am going to have to come explore your hometown….;) Oooh, I await your thoughts on this Dorothy!!! It always means so much to me when I know you “approve” after you try a recipe! <3 N x
Hi Nagi! This dressing would be a perfect dip for Kevin’s recently posted chicken tenders! Girl, trust me, the most exciting thing in this town is going to the hardware store! I am not kidding! I love living where we do in farm country, but fine dining and night life does not exist! We have one diner if you like southern country food like biscuits and sausage gravy or chicken fried steak. Luckily we are not big on going out, but we do make occasional trips to Knoxville and my son and one of Gary’s brothers live near Nashville and there is a lot of good food there!! 🙂
I LOVE SOUTHERN FOOD!!!! Can’t get enough of it!!! When I travel, I am NOT about fancy restaurants and touristy things, I just like to “hang” and try to be as locals do! Best kind of travel there is! <3 N x
Hi Nagi! I can’t think of anything I would rather do than just hang out with you and some snacks and wine! 🙂
I’m taking that as an invitation and it IS going to happen. 🙂 I always keep my word. N x
That is one gorgeous Caesar salad! And love that you added chicken. Yes nothing beast a homemade Caesar dressing for sure, anchovies for sure included. if you like food related fiction, read Tender at the Bone, one part is all about how to present a Caesar for show in a French restaurant.
Oooh! Do you know, I actually did google to find posh ways to present it and gave up! THANK YOU for the tip, I still have dressing left, I might have to give it a go!
Caesar Salad is one of my favourite salads! Mostly because it doesn’t feel like a salad 😉
Those eggs!!!! Perfection 🙂
We have a beautiful little cafe that does a Prawn and Chicken Caesar Salad and you can order extra croutons!!
I know, right?? It is barely a salad, it’s too delicious!!! 😉