Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) is not just a crunchy, creamy classic—it’s the gold standard of what a simple salad can achieve on your dinner table. Imagine crisp romaine tossed in velvety dressing, showered with clouds of Parmesan and the irresistible bite of buttery, freshly baked croutons. Every bite feels like a celebration of bold flavors and varied textures, all wrapped up in a dish that’s both easy enough for weeknights and impressive enough for guests. If you’ve ever wondered how restaurants make Caesar salads so memorable, this recipe unlocks every secret with accessible, honest ingredients and step-by-step warmth.

Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) is all about combining a few high-quality ingredients in a way that maximizes flavor. Don’t be intimidated by the list—each component brings its own texture, taste, or visual appeal, and together they make this salad irresistible.

Baguette: The base for fresh, homemade croutons—crisp on the outside, yet tender within.
Unsalted butter: Melts to coat the bread cubes, giving your croutons richness and a golden color.
Garlic cloves: Adds essential depth and a signature Caesar kick, both in croutons and dressing.
Olive oil: Used both for infusing the croutons and as a key part of the creamy, luscious dressing.
Garlic powder: Layers extra savory punch without overpowering the other flavors.
Salt: Brings all the flavors together; don’t be shy, as lettuce loves a little seasoning.
Black pepper: For that fresh, zesty bite—especially great when cracked over at the very end.
Italian seasoning: Lends a subtle, herby backdrop to the warm croutons.
Lemon juice: Adds bright acidity and balances richness in the dressing.
Red wine vinegar: Sharpens the flavors and gives the dressing its tangy backbone.
Dijon mustard: Provides a gentle heat and creamy texture, keeping the dressing emulsified.
Anchovy paste: The classic umami bomb—don’t be afraid; it melts beautifully into the dressing!
Worcestershire Sauce: Boosts savory notes and deepens the flavor complexity.
Sugar (optional): A small touch can mellow acidity and round out any sharp edges.
Parmesan cheese (finely grated & shaved): Adds salty, nutty depth and visual flair—don’t skimp here!
Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base for the dressing, making every bite super luscious.
Romaine lettuce: Their sturdy, crisp leaves are tailor-made for supporting all that bold dressing and crunch.
Anchovies (optional): Classic for extra flavor on top—totally up to you for that traditional flair.
Freshly ground black pepper: A finishing touch that ties everything together.

How to Make Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!)

Step 1: Prepare Your Croutons

Let’s kick this Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) off with bakery-level croutons. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Melt the butter over medium-low heat, adding minced garlic and letting it gently sizzle—just until fragrant, never brown. Toss your baguette cubes in a bowl, then drizzle in the warm garlicky butter along with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss until every piece is glistening. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet (single layer, please!) and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway so everything crisps evenly. Let them cool completely—they’ll become even crunchier as they sit.

Step 2: Mix Up the Creamy Dressing

The soul of Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) is undoubtedly the dressing! In a small blender or food processor, pulse together olive oil, garlic, garlic powder, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar until smooth and emulsified. In a larger bowl, whisk together mayo and finely grated Parmesan until creamy, then gradually stream in the garlicky vinaigrette, whisking the whole time for that lush, dreamy texture. Taste and adjust—more lemon for brightness, more mayo for texture, or a little sugar if you hit a bitter note. Chill the dressing for at least an hour if possible; it makes all the difference!

Step 3: Toss the Salad

Now for the fun part: assembling it all! In a large bowl, add your roughly chopped romaine lettuce. Drizzle generously with your perfectly chilled dressing, then toss in half of the shaved Parmesan and your crunchy croutons. Gently toss until every leaf is beautifully coated—no naked lettuce allowed!

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Right before serving, sprinkle the remaining shaved and finely grated Parmesan over the top, followed by more croutons, chopped anchovies (if using), and a big grind of fresh black pepper. Every serving should get a little bit of everything for maximum flavor and crunch. Bring it right to the table—Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) is best enjoyed fresh!

How to Serve Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!)

Garnishes

Keep it classic with extra shavings of Parmesan and a few more anchovy fillets on top for restaurant-level presentation. A final flourish of cracked black pepper and a spritz of lemon over the salad brings all the flavors alive. If you want to surprise your guests, a few delicate microgreens or chives can add sophistication.

Side Dishes

Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) shines brilliantly alongside simply seasoned grilled chicken, seared salmon fillets, or even a hearty lasagna. The crisp lettuce and bold dressing offset rich main courses beautifully. For a lighter meal, serve it solo with some rustic bread or a bowl of soup to round things out.

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful with your presentation! Pile the salad into pretty individual bowls for a sit-down dinner, or make “Caesar salad boats” by serving the dressing and toppings in whole romaine leaves for a fun finger food option. For gatherings, assemble the salad on a big platter and let everyone help themselves—it’s equal parts centerpiece and conversation starter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you anticipate leftovers, store each component separately to keep it tasting fresh. The salad itself, once dressed, is best eaten within a day, but undressed lettuce, reserved dressing, and croutons can each stay fresh (in separate airtight containers) for up to a week. Just assemble right before serving to maintain that signature crunch.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) as the creamy dressing and lettuce simply don’t thaw well. However, homemade croutons freeze beautifully! Pop them in a freezer bag for up to two months, then re-crisp briefly in the oven before using.

Reheating

The salad itself should never be reheated, but if you want those croutons extra crunchy after storing, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees F for 5-7 minutes. Let cool before tossing back into your salad for that satisfying bite.

FAQs

Can I make Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) vegetarian?

Absolutely! Skip the anchovy paste and anchovy toppers and add a little extra Worcestershire sauce (ensure it’s vegetarian) for depth. You’ll still get tons of flavor without the fish.

Is it safe to eat raw eggs in Caesar salad dressing?

Great news: this version skips raw eggs by using mayonnaise, providing the same creamy texture and classic taste, minus any food safety worries.

Can I prep the dressing in advance?

Yes! In fact, the flavors blend together even better if made a few hours ahead. Just give it a good stir before using, and use within 24 hours for freshest taste.

What can I use instead of anchovy paste?

If you’re sensitive to anchovies, try using capers or a dash of extra Worcestershire sauce. The result will still be savory and utterly delicious, true to the spirit of Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!).

How do I keep my croutons crisp?

Let your homemade croutons cool completely before storing in an airtight container. A paper towel in the container helps absorb extra moisture, so they stay crunchy until the last bite.

Final Thoughts

Trust me—once you’ve had a taste of Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!), you’ll find it hard to go back to bottled dressings or prepackaged salads. Whether you’re making an easy weeknight dinner or hosting friends, this salad is guaranteed to win hearts and clean plates. I truly hope you’ll give it a try and experience salad bliss at home!

Homemade Caesar Salad (The BEST Caesar Salad Dressing!) Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 11 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: Serves 6
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make the best homemade Caesar salad with this easy recipe. Crispy homemade croutons, a flavorful Caesar dressing, and fresh romaine lettuce come together to create a classic favorite.

Instructions

Homemade Croutons: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt butter, add garlic, then mix with bread cubes and seasonings. Bake until golden brown.
Caesar Salad Dressing: Blend olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, etc. Whisk parmesan and mayo, then add vinaigrette. Adjust seasoning to taste and chill.
For the Salad: Toss lettuce with dressing, cheese, and croutons. Top with remaining ingredients and serve.

Notes

You can adjust the garlic and anchovy paste in the dressing to suit your taste preferences.
Store extra croutons in an airtight container for up to a week.
The dressing can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Baking, Mixing
Cuisine: American