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Ultimate Homemade Classic Caesar Salad with Scratch Dressing

A close-up of a fresh caesar salad tossed in creamy dressing, topped with golden croutons and grated Parmesan cheese.
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Make a restaurant-quality Caesar Salad at home using a creamy, scratch-made dressing and crisp homemade croutons. This recipe focuses on fresh ingredients for the best flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads Romaine lettuce, washed and torn
  • 1 cup homemade croutons
  • 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (for dressing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the croutons first: Cut 3 cups of day-old bread into 1-inch cubes. Toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Set aside.
  2. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until combined.
  3. Slowly drizzle in the lemon juice while whisking constantly.
  4. Continue whisking while slowly adding the 1/2 cup of olive oil in a thin, steady stream until the dressing emulsifies and thickens.
  5. Whisk in the 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. In a large bowl, place the torn Romaine lettuce. Pour about half of the dressing over the lettuce.
  7. Toss gently until the leaves are lightly coated. Add more dressing as needed, but avoid oversaturating the lettuce.
  8. Add the homemade croutons and the shaved Parmesan cheese. Toss once or twice more.
  9. Serve immediately for the crispest texture.

Notes

  • For a crisp salad, dry the Romaine lettuce thoroughly after washing. A salad spinner works best.
  • If you prefer not to use raw egg yolk, substitute with 1/4 cup of good quality mayonnaise for a stable, creamy base.
  • To make this a Chicken Caesar Salad, top the finished salad with 6 ounces of grilled, sliced chicken breast per serving.
  • You can prepare the dressing up to 2 days ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonfulsnap.com/best-homemade-caesar-salad-recipe/