Best 6 Classic Caesar Salad Dressing Recipes

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Welcome to the realm of Caesar salad dressing, a culinary masterpiece that has tantalized taste buds for decades. This versatile condiment, named after the renowned chef Caesar Cardini, boasts a rich and creamy texture, a burst of garlicky flavor, and a subtle tang that leaves you craving more. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you on a journey through the world of Caesar salad dressing, exploring its history, variations, and of course, its delectable taste. We'll provide you with a collection of Caesar salad dressing recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences, whether you prefer a classic, creamy version, a lighter, healthier alternative, or a vegan-friendly option. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as we uncover the secrets behind this beloved dressing and equip you with the skills to create it in your own kitchen.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

PERFECT CAESAR SALAD DRESSING



Perfect Caesar Salad Dressing image

Everyone raves about Caesar salad, but few realize it is so simple to make at home. Add this Caesar dressing on top of chopped romaine lettuce, croutons and parmesan cheese for a perfect salad. -Jane McGlothren, Daphne, Alabama

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 1.25 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 pasteurized large egg yolks
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons anchovy paste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
dash hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a blender, combine the first 10 ingredients; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 130 calories, Fat 13g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 68mg cholesterol, Sodium 328mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.

CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD



Classic Caesar Salad image

Crisp romaine, pepper-and-butter croutons, and grated Parmesan are tossed with traditional Caesar dressing.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 loaf rustic Italian bread (8 to 10 ounces), crusts removed, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves
4 anchovy fillets
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 large egg yolk
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
20 ounces romaine lettuce, outer leaves discarded, inner leaves washed and dried
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or Romano cheese, or 2 1/2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine the butter and olive oil in a large bowl. Add the cubes of bread, and toss until coated. Sprinkle with salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper; toss until evenly coated. Spread the bread in a single layer on a 12-by-17-inch baking sheet. Bake until croutons are golden, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
  • Place the garlic, anchovy fillets, and salt in a wooden salad bowl. Using two dinner forks, mash the garlic and anchovies into a paste. Using one fork, whisk in the pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and egg yolk. Whisk in the olive oil.
  • Chop the romaine leaves into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces. Add the croutons, romaine, and cheese to the bowl, and toss well. If you wish, grate extra cheese over the top. Serve immediately.

HOMEMADE CAESAR SALAD DRESSING



Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing image

My family loves this rich and creamy Caesar salad dressing. It's not overly garlicky or fishy -- it's just right.

Provided by Jennifer Segal, adapted from Gourmet magazine

Categories     Salads

Time 10m

Yield Makes 1⅓ cups (enough for about 10 starter salads)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 small garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon anchovy paste (see note)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (I like the brand Maille)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's Real
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Add the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined. Taste and adjust to your liking. The dressing will keep well in the fridge for about a week.
  • Note: Anchovy paste can be found near the canned tuna in the supermarket.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize About 2 tablespoons, Calories 184, Fat 19g, Carbohydrate 1g, Protein 2g, SaturatedFat 1g, Sugar 0g, Fiber 0g, Sodium 296mg, Cholesterol 13mg

CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD



Classic Caesar Salad image

There's a reason clichés like Caesar salad and iceberg with blue cheese dressing have become hyper-common: they're just good. The combination of cold crunchiness, mild bitterness and salty dressings is everlastingly refreshing and satisfying. This authentic version (get out those anchovies and eggs) from Mark Bittman does not disappoint.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     easy, quick, salads and dressings

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

About 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup rustic bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, halved
2 eggs
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 to 3 tablespoons minced anchovies, or to taste
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1 large head romaine lettuce, washed, dried and torn into pieces
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a skillet large enough to hold the bread in a single layer and turn heat to medium. When oil shimmers, add bread and sprinkle with salt and pepper; brown lightly on all sides, adding a little more oil if necessary. Remove and set aside.
  • Rub the inside of a salad bowl with the garlic clove; discard it. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Pierce a tiny hole in the broad end of each egg with a pin or needle and boil them for 60 to 90 seconds; they will just begin to firm up. Crack them into the salad bowl, being sure to scoop out the white that clings to the shell.
  • Beat eggs with a fork. Gradually add lemon juice and 6 tablespoons oil, beating all the while. Stir in anchovies and Worcestershire. Taste and add salt if needed, and lots of pepper. Toss well with lettuce; top with Parmesan and croutons; toss again at table. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 405, UnsaturatedFat 26 grams, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 34 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 662 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CAESAR SALAD



Caesar Salad image

Nailing this misunderstood classic (no, we don't want grilled chicken) is all about restraint and, yes, anchovies.

Provided by Sue Li

Categories     Salad     Egg     Garlic     Lunch     Parmesan     Lettuce     Anchovy     Bon Appétit     Sugar Conscious     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 anchovy fillets packed in oil
1 small garlic clove
2 large egg yolks*
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
3 cups torn 1" pieces country bread
3 romaine hearts
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • 1. The Dressing
  • A great Caesar salad gets its swagger from a great dressing. Squeamish about raw egg yolks and anchovies? Sorry. Yolks are what give richness to the emulsion, while anchovies provide a briny blast (and that whole umami thing). Here's our go-to recipe: Chop together 6 anchovy fillets packed in oil, 1 small garlic clove, and a pinch of kosher salt. Use the side of a knife blade to mash into a paste, then scrape into a medium bowl. Whisk in 2 large egg yolks*, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Adding drop by drop to start, gradually whisk in 2 tablespoons olive oil, then 1/2 cup vegetable oil; whisk until dressing is thick and glossy. Whisk in 3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Can be made 1 day ahead.
  • 2. The Croutons
  • Make your own. Tearing, not cutting, the bread ensures nooks and crannies that catch the dressing and add texture. Toss 3 cups torn 1" pieces country bread with 3 tablespoons olive oil on a baking sheet; season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake at 375°F, tossing occasionally, until golden, 10-15 minutes.
  • 3. The Lettuce
  • Use whole leaves from 3 romaine hearts to feed 6 people. They provide the ideal mix of crispness, surface area, and structure.
  • 4. The Cheese
  • Caesars crowned with a mound of grated Parmesan may look impressive, but all that clumpy cheese mutes the dressing. Instead, use a vegetable peeler to thinly shave a modest amount on top for little salty bursts.
  • 5. The Assembly
  • Skip the tongs. Use your hands to gently toss the lettuce, croutons, and dressing, then top off with the shaved Parm.

CLASSIC RESTAURANT CAESAR SALAD



Classic Restaurant Caesar Salad image

I used to work at a very fancy restaurant while I was in college. The best part of the job was making table side salads, entrees, and dessert. This was the best Caesar salad I have ever had! If having trouble getting the anchovy to mash, add a couple of croutons. They provide sort of an anti-skid surface, and the hard edges of the croutons cut into the anchovy.

Provided by sarahcrites

Categories     Salad     Green Salad Recipes     Romaine Lettuce Salad Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 anchovy fillets
½ lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 egg yolk
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup olive oil
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
½ head romaine lettuce, chopped
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons croutons

Steps:

  • Mash garlic with anchovies in a large salad bowl. Whisk lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, egg yolk, and Worcestershire sauce into the anchovy mixture until mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually whisk olive oil into the dressing, pouring the oil into the dressing in a thin stream while stirring constantly. Season with salt and black pepper.
  • Gently mix romaine lettuce and Parmesan cheese into the dressing until thoroughly coated; serve salad topped with croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 362.1 calories, Carbohydrate 9.5 g, Cholesterol 116.3 mg, Fat 33 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, Sodium 587.2 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better your dressing will taste. Use fresh garlic, lemon juice, and herbs for the best flavor.
  • Don't over-process the dressing: Caesar dressing is best when it is slightly chunky. Over-processing will make it too smooth and thin.
  • Taste the dressing as you make it: Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add more garlic, lemon juice, or herbs if you want a more flavorful dressing.
  • Let the dressing sit for a bit before using: This will allow the flavors to meld together. If you can, make the dressing a few hours or even a day in advance.
  • Serve the dressing chilled: Caesar dressing is best served cold. Chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using.

Conclusion:

Caesar salad dressing is a classic for a reason. It is creamy, flavorful, and versatile. It can be used on salads, sandwiches, and even as a dipping sauce. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own Caesar salad dressing at home that is just as good as any restaurant version. So next time you are making a salad, give this classic dressing a try. You won't be disappointed.

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