If you’re craving a crisp, refreshing salad that never goes out of style, this Classic Caesar Salad Recipe is exactly what you need. Whether it’s a quick weeknight side or a starter for weekend guests, this salad hits that perfect balance of crunchy, tangy, and savory every time – and I love how simple it is to whip up on a whim.

A white bowl filled with fresh green romaine lettuce leaves coated lightly in creamy dressing forms the base layer, topped with golden brown crunchy croutons scattered evenly. Thin, pale yellow slices of parmesan cheese are spread on top, with a light dusting of grated cheese and specks of black pepper sprinkled over the salad. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with small cheese shavings and cracked pepper visible nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 1:1 --v 7 — Classic Caesar Salad, Caesar Salad, Caesar Salad Recipe, Easy Caesar Salad, Healthy Caesar Salad

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In the Kitchen
Ingredients at a Glance
How to Make Classic Caesar Salad Recipe
Things to Remember
Ways to Serve It
Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Full Printable Recipe

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In the Kitchen

This Classic Caesar Salad Recipe offers the kind of reliable, bright flavor that makes you reach for seconds. It's a blend of fresh greens, crunchy croutons, sharp Parmesan, and luscious dressing—each ingredient playing a role to elevate the whole dish.

Juicy and Tender Every Time: Picking ripe, crisp romaine ensures your salad has that refreshing crunch with tender leaves inside.
Golden, Satisfying Finish: Crispy croutons add the perfect toasty texture boost that's simply irresistible.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Parmesan and Caesar dressing combine for rich, umami-packed flavor that's easy to personalize.
Weeknight to Weekend Ready: Fast to assemble but impressive enough to wow guests, this salad fits any occasion.

Ingredients at a Glance

Classic Caesar Salad Recipe - Recipe Image — Classic Caesar Salad, Caesar Salad, Caesar Salad Recipe, Easy Caesar Salad, Healthy Caesar Salad

When you’re assembling this Classic Caesar Salad Recipe, quality matters — especially when it comes to your greens and cheese. Using fresh romaine and real Parmesan makes all the difference.

Romaine Lettuce: Choose a firm head with bright green leaves for maximum crunch and freshness.
Croutons: Opt for lightly toasted or homemade ones to add that unmistakable crunch.
Parmesan Cheese: Go for freshly grated Parm; pre-grated can sometimes be dry or powdery.
Caesar Dressing: Whether store-bought or homemade, use a creamy version packed with garlic and anchovy flavor.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground for the best aromatic punch.
Lemon Wedges: Optional but great for adding a quick burst of bright acidity.

Heads-Up: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.

How to Make Classic Caesar Salad Recipe

Step 1 — Chop and Prep Your Romaine

Start by washing your romaine thoroughly under cold water—this helps keep it crisp and removes any grit. I like to spin it dry in a salad spinner to preserve that crunch. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces, aiming for a mix of tender center leaves and crisp outer ones for texture variety.

Step 2 — Toss Lettuce with Croutons and Dressing

Place the chopped romaine in a large bowl, then add your croutons. Drizzle with the Caesar dressing – if you're using store-bought, add it gradually so you don’t overdress. Toss gently but thoroughly, coating every leaf and crouton with that creamy, garlicky goodness. You’ll notice how the dressing clings, making each bite rich and flavorful.

Step 3 — Finish with Parmesan and Black Pepper

Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the tossed salad; it adds that iconic sharp, nutty flavor. Follow with a few twists of freshly ground black pepper to taste. If you like, add a squeeze of lemon wedges on the side to brighten the overall profile just before serving.

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Things to Remember

I've made this salad countless times, and a few things can really take it from good to unforgettable. Paying attention to freshness and dressing quantity makes all the difference.

Doneness Cue: The lettuce should stay crisp and vibrant, never soggy, even after dressing.
Temperature Trick: Serve chilled or right after tossing to keep everything crisp.
Make-Ahead Move: Prep the lettuce and croutons separately in the fridge; dress and toss just before serving.
Common Pitfall: Overdressing—too much Caesar sauce weighs the salad down and hides the fresh flavors.

Ways to Serve It

Finishing Touches

I love adding a bit of freshly grated Parmesan right before serving for a lovely melt-in-your-mouth texture. A few lemon wedges on the side never hurt, either—squeezing them adds a zesty kick that wakes up the flavors. You can even drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on top to elevate the salad to something truly special.

Plays Well With

This Classic Caesar Salad Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or even hearty pasta dishes. The bright, crispy salad balances out richer mains perfectly, and if you want to keep it vegetarian, serve alongside roasted vegetables or a cheesy flatbread.

Simple Plating Upgrades

For a casual weeknight, toss everything in a big bowl and serve family-style. When you want to impress, plate individual servings on chilled plates, stacking the greens neatly and sprinkling Parmesan with a microplane. Adding a sprig of fresh parsley or thyme can add a lovely pop of green and hint of aroma.

Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh

Storing Leftovers

Classic Caesar Salad is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a day. Keep the dressing separate if possible to avoid sogginess. The croutons will soften, so adding fresh ones before serving helps maintain that satisfying crunch.

Freezing Tips

This salad doesn’t freeze well because the lettuce and dressing break down upon thawing, leaving a limp texture. I don’t recommend freezing the assembled salad. Instead, freeze extra Caesar dressing on its own if you want to save it for later.

Reheating Classic Caesar Salad Recipe Without Drying Out

Because this salad is served cold, reheating isn’t necessary—or recommended. If you want to warm up proteins you’re serving alongside it, do so separately. When eating leftovers, just toss with fresh greens or extra croutons to revive the texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Classic Caesar Salad Recipe vegan?

You can easily swap out Parmesan for a plant-based cheese alternative and use a vegan Caesar dressing to make this salad vegan-friendly without losing that bold flavor.

What’s the best way to make homemade Caesar dressing?

Homemade Caesar dressing usually involves anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, egg yolk or mayo, Parmesan, and olive oil blended together for that creamy, savory punch.

How do I keep the croutons crunchy?

Add croutons right before serving or store them separately to prevent them from absorbing moisture and becoming soggy.

Can I prep the salad in advance?

You can wash and chop the lettuce ahead of time and keep it refrigerated, but toss with dressing just before serving to keep everything crisp.

Final Thoughts

This Classic Caesar Salad Recipe is one of those timeless dishes that feels both elegant and effortless. I find it’s the perfect recipe to keep in your back pocket when you want something fresh and flavorful without fuss. Once you master the simple steps, you’ll enjoy experimenting with different dressings or adding grilled proteins to turn it into a meal all on its own.

Full Printable Recipe