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The Best Restaurant-Style Caesar Salad with Homemade Creamy Dressing

A close-up, appetizing shot of a bowl filled with fresh caesar salad, tossed in creamy dressing, topped with golden croutons and grated Parmesan.
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Make this classic Caesar Salad quickly at home. You get crisp romaine lettuce, deeply flavorful homemade dressing, and perfect crunchy croutons for a meal that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 heads Romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • 1 cup homemade croutons
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • For the Homemade Caesar Dressing:
  • 2 large egg yolks (use pasteurized eggs for safety)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional, for authentic flavor)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil (like canola or grapeseed)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the croutons: If making homemade croutons, cube bread, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown and crisp. Set aside.
  2. Make the dressing base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste (if using). Whisk until the mixture is pale yellow and slightly thickened.
  3. Slowly emulsify the dressing: While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the olive oil, followed by the neutral oil, drop by drop at first, then in a very thin, steady stream once the mixture begins to thicken. Continue whisking until all the oil is incorporated and the dressing is creamy.
  4. Finish the dressing: Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Season the dressing generously with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce. Pour about half of the homemade Caesar dressing over the lettuce. Toss gently until the leaves are lightly coated. Add more dressing as needed to reach your desired creaminess.
  6. Serve immediately: Divide the salad among plates. Top each serving with homemade croutons and a generous sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a Chicken Caesar Salad main dish, grill two seasoned chicken breasts and slice them before topping the finished salad.
  • To achieve maximum crispiness, make sure your romaine lettuce is completely dry before tossing it with the dressing.
  • You can prepare the dressing up to one day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

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