Making your own Caeser salad at home is surprisingly easy and tastes even better than any Caeser salad you’d order at a restaurant!
If I had to name my kids after my strongest pregnant food craving, my oldest would be named Caeser salad. I craved it constantly. I would buy those bags of Caeser salad kids from the grocery store and eat the whole thing for lunch. Those salad kits are okay, but they really leave a lot to be desired. They can’t even come close to the Caeser salads you order at a restaurant.
I have tried just about every bottled Caeser dressing on the market, and have yet to find one that really wows me. So I set about making my own. I’ve never really known what makes a Caeser salad taste Caeser-y, and I just about fainted when I discovered the distinctive flavor that I love so much is from… gulp… anchovies.
What!! I thought anchovies were just a prank pizza topping. People actually eat these things?? Luckily, you can very easily buy anchovy paste at almost any grocery store, and pretend it’s just Caeser seasoning or something.
Look for the anchovy paste near the canned tuna. You can also order it online here. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and one tube will last you plenty of batches of dressing. You might be tempted to skip it, but I’m telling you- you can not get that tang and that distinctive Caeser flavor without the anchovy paste. Without it, it’s flat and uninteresting. Be brave. Give it a try!
The homemade dressing is whipped up in a flash, so you have plenty of time to whip up some homemade croutons!
Have you ever made croutons? They are so easy, and so insanely delicious. I think I could eat a whole batch right off the pan. You just cut up some crusty bread into cubes, drizzle with oil and spices, and pop it into the oven. The crispy and crunchy exterior leads to slightly soft insides, and the flavor is out of this world!
Serve the salad with shaved parmesan, and top with grilled chicken, salmon or shrimp to make a meal of it. This is such a treat, friends. Enjoy!
Ingredients
Method
- Combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth. Store in airtight container in fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Preheat oven to 375. Prepare a baking sheet with cooking spray or parchment paper.
- Place bread cubes into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss. Sprinkle seasonings on and toss gently until combined.
- Spread onto baking sheet and bake 15-20 minutes, flipping once.
- Remove from oven and cool completely. Use immediately or store in a covered container for up to a week.
- Toss lettuce in dressing until evenly coated. Add shaved parmesan and croutons and toss. Top with grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp, if desired.
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