Homemade Caesar Salad With Creamy Dressing

Name: Homemade Caesar Salad With Creamy Dressing
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 30 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 heads romaine lettuce; 2 cups mayonnaise; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 lemon, juiced; 4 tbsp Dijon mustard; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated; Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; 1 (5 oz) bag cheese and garlic croutons; Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish

This homemade Caesar salad features a creamy dressing made from scratch with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fresh garlic, paired with crisp romaine and a special technique for crushing croutons that ensures perfect texture in every bite.

🌍American 🏷️Caesar salad 🏷️Salad 🏷️Romaine 🏷️Creamy dressing Parmesan

🏷️

🏷️Croutons

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dianakonfederatonTikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

30

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by dianakonfederat

-0:00

dianakonfederatonTikTok

Ingredients

6 heads romaine lettuce
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
4 tbsp Dijon mustard
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
1 (5 oz) bag cheese and garlic croutons
Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnishoptional

11 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Trim the ends off the romaine hearts, then chop into thin, bite-sized pieces.
2
Thoroughly wash the chopped lettuce in a salad spinner. The creator recommends washing and spinning twice.
3
Spread the washed and spun lettuce on paper towels to dry completely while you prepare the dressing.
4
In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
5
Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the dressing mixture.
6
Freshly grate the Parmesan cheese directly into the dressing.
7
Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper and stir everything together until well combined.
8
In a large salad bowl, add the completely dry romaine lettuce. Pour the dressing over the top and toss until the lettuce is evenly coated.
9
Place the croutons in a zip-top bag and crush them into smaller pieces using a meat tenderizer or another heavy object.
10
Sprinkle the crushed croutons over the salad.
11
Garnish with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese and another crack of black pepper before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Mince garlic finely and let it sit for 1-2 minutes after cutting to maximize flavor development in the dressing.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese, not pre-grated, for better texture and less sawdust-like filler.
Toss the salad gently with dressing just before serving to prevent the romaine from wilting.
Crush the croutons by hand moments before adding them to maintain maximum crunch against the creamy dressing.

Substitutions

Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt or sour cream (reduces richness; thin with lemon juice if needed)
Red wine vinegar → white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar (subtle flavor shift, same acidity)
Dijon mustard → whole grain mustard (adds texture; use same amount)
Fresh Parmesan → Pecorino Romano (stronger, saltier; reduce salt in dressing slightly)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover dressing in an airtight container for up to 5 days; keep romaine and croutons separate until ready to serve to maintain crispness.

Common Questions

Can I make the Caesar dressing ahead of time?

Yes, store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before using, as ingredients may separate.

What's the trick to the perfect crouton texture in this recipe?

Crush the croutons just before serving using the specific technique shown in the video to avoid them becoming soggy while maintaining a satisfying crunch.