Name: Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 38 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups cubed crusty bread; Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling; Sea salt for sprinkling; 1 cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1 garlic clove, grated; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; Pinch sea salt; Freshly ground black pepper to taste; ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 1 pound romaine lettuce (about 2 medium heads), chopped or torn into bite-size pieces; ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese; Freshly ground black pepper for garnish

There's something incredibly satisfying about crisp, fresh greens tossed in a rich, tangy dressing topped with perfectly crunchy croutons. This Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe is just that—a classic comfort that's elevated and easy enough to whip up anytime you want something fresh but indulgent.

A large white bowl sits on a white marbled surface filled with a fresh Caesar salad made of bright green chopped romaine lettuce leaves, golden brown toasted bread croutons scattered throughout, and thin, irregular white shavings of parmesan cheese on top. Two wooden salad spoons with green handles rest on the salad, positioned diagonally across the bowl. Nearby on the white marbled surface, there is a white plate with four vintage silver forks stacked on it, and a glass with light yellow white wine being poured from a green and blue wine bottle. A blue cloth with white triangle patterns is partially visible under the glass. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe—it changed my whole approach to salads. The homemade dressing and croutons make such a difference compared to store-bought versions. It feels special but comes together quickly enough for weeknights.

Simple ingredients: You probably have everything on hand, making it easy to throw together anytime.
Crunchy croutons: Oven-toasted with olive oil and sea salt, these croutons steal the show with texture and flavor.
Rich, creamy dressing: Made with mayonnaise, lemon, garlic, and Parmesan, it’s tangy and perfectly balanced without any raw eggs to worry about.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the cheese, lemon, or garlic to suit your taste or add your own twist.

A white bowl filled with a fresh salad showing three layers: the bottom layer is green romaine lettuce leaves with a crunchy texture, the middle layer consists of golden-brown toasted bread cubes with a rough surface, and the top layer is thin pale yellow cheese shavings scattered unevenly, all drizzled with creamy, light beige dressing. Two wooden spoons with smooth grain and curved shapes are held by woman's hands, and they are tossing the salad. On the white marbled surface around the bowl, there is a small glass jar with golden olive oil, a speckled wooden pepper grinder, a clear glass bowl with extra creamy dressing, and a white plate holding a block of Parmesan cheese with thin slices and a metal cheese grater. A blue cloth with white patterns is partially visible near the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe is in the harmony of fresh, crunchy romaine, savory dressing, and those addictive, golden croutons. Here’s a quick breakdown of why each ingredient matters and what to look for when you shop.

Flat lay of a small pile of cubed crusty bread, a small white bowl with creamy mayonnaise, a small white bowl with extra-virgin olive oil, a halved fresh lemon next to a small white bowl of fresh lemon juice, a small drizzle of Dijon mustard on a white ceramic surface, a single whole garlic clove, a small white bowl with dark Worcestershire sauce, coarse sea salt crystals sprinkled near a pinch on the surface, freshly ground black peppercorns beside a small mound of finely grated Parmesan cheese, a large bunch of vibrant green romaine lettuce leaves torn into bite-size pieces, and a small white bowl holding thin shaved Parmesan cheese, all arranged with perfect symmetry in a professional flat lay style placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Crusty bread: Look for a day-old baguette or similar bread with a firm crust—perfect for croutons that hold their crunch.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Use good quality for drizzling on croutons and in the dressing—it adds depth and richness.
Sea salt: Coarse salt for croutons gives the right hit of flavor without being overpowering.
Mayonnaise: Creates that creamy base for the dressing with less fuss than making a raw egg Caesar dressing.
Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the dressing with a fresh tang that balances the richness.
Dijon mustard: Adds subtle sharpness and helps emulsify the dressing.
Garlic clove: Freshly grated gives a nice punch without being too harsh.
Worcestershire sauce: A little umami boost that rounds out the dressing flavor.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for the dressing and shaved on top—it brings authentic savory notes you just can’t replace.
Romaine lettuce: Crisp and sturdy, perfect for holding the dressing and delivering that classic crunch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about the Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe is how flexible it is. I love adding grilled chicken or even some anchovies if I’m feeling traditional, but keeping it simple lets the croutons and dressing shine.

Variation: Once, I swapped mayo for Greek yogurt to lighten the dressing—it was tangy and creamy with fewer calories, and a total hit at the dinner table.
Seasonal tweaks: Try adding cherry tomatoes or avocado slices for extra freshness and color when in season.
Vegan adaptation: Use vegan mayo and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to create a delicious plant-based version.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe

Step 1: Crafting the Perfect Croutons

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the cubed crusty bread with a generous drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt to give it that golden, crunchy texture. Spread the cubes out evenly on the baking sheet so they toast nicely without steaming. Bake them for 10 to 18 minutes, keeping a close eye after 10 minutes—they can go from perfectly crisp to too dark in a flash. Let them cool completely; this helps lock in their crunch for that satisfying bite later.

Step 2: Whisking Up the Creamy Caesar Dressing

In a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese—you’ll want to taste and adjust seasoning here. If your dressing feels too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time to reach that perfect pourable consistency. This creamy dressing is where all the flavor happens—take your time here and enjoy the process.

Step 3: Tossing It All Together

Place chopped or torn romaine lettuce in a large bowl. Add about half the dressing and toss gently to coat every leaf evenly—don’t overdress or it gets soggy. Next, mix in half the croutons and half the grated Parmesan cheese to build layers of flavor. Taste and add more dressing if you like it extra saucy. Finish by piling on the remaining croutons, some shaved Parmesan, and a few good grinds of black pepper on top for visual appeal and that extra pop of flavor.

Top Tip

After many salads and a handful of crouton mishaps (hello, burnt cubes!), I’ve learned these tips really make a difference when preparing this Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe.

Even Coating: When tossing bread cubes with olive oil, do so gently but make sure every piece is lightly coated—this ensures uniform toasting and crunch.
Watch the Oven: Baking times vary depending on your bread type and oven; check at 10 minutes and stir the croutons to prevent uneven browning.
Fresh Grated Garlic: Grating garlic directly into the dressing instead of minced garlic gives a smoother texture and distributes the flavor better.
Parmesan Matters: Always opt for freshly grated or shaved Parmesan over pre-grated for a richer, more authentic flavor and texture.

How to Serve Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe

Garnishes

I love to finish my salad with extra shaved Parmesan—there’s something so classy about those thin ribbons glistening on top. Fresh cracked black pepper adds a spicy aroma that wakes up every bite. Sometimes, I even sprinkle a little lemon zest for a bright note that really lifts the flavors.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or salmon for a light main course. For casual dinners, I like serving it alongside garlic bread or crispy roasted potatoes. It also works as a fantastic starter to complement a hearty pasta or steak dish.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I’ve served this Caesar salad in individual glass bowls layered with croutons and cheese so guests can see the textures — it feels elegant and makes plating a breeze. Another fun twist is to serve it in hollowed-out Romaine cups for bite-sized Caesar salad appetizers at gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days—I usually give it a good stir before using again. Keep the lettuce and croutons separate if possible to avoid sogginess. If you mix it all, eat within a few hours for the best crunch and freshness.

Freezing

Because the dressing and croutons rely on freshness and texture, I don’t recommend freezing this salad. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but the dressing itself can be frozen in small portions if needed and thawed gently.

Reheating

If you have leftover croutons, reheat them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh their crunch. The salad itself is best served cold, so there’s no need to reheat the dressed lettuce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of lettuce for this Caesar salad?

While romaine is traditional and perfect for holding the dressing and croutons because of its sturdy texture, you can experiment with baby kale or butter lettuce for a different texture. Just keep in mind these alternatives might be softer and change the salad's overall crunch.

How do I make sure my croutons stay crispy?

To keep your croutons crispy, bake them until golden and cool completely before adding to the salad. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding them to the salad just before serving also helps maintain crunch.

Can I prepare the dressing in advance?

Absolutely! The dressing can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge in a sealed container. Give it a good whisk before serving as some separation may occur. This makes assembling the salad even quicker.

Is there a way to lighten the dressing?

Yes! You can substitute half or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add a slight tang. Just adjust lemon juice and seasoning accordingly to balance the flavors.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s comfort food that feels a little fancy without the fuss. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and find yourself reaching for it whenever you want a salad that’s fresh, crunchy, and bursting with flavor. Go ahead, give it a try and share it with friends—you’ll love the compliments that follow!