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 topping

There's something so satisfying about a crisp salad with a creamy, tangy dressing and those perfectly crunchy bites nestled throughout. This Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe hits all those notes, making it worth pulling out the blender and oven for a fresh, homemade touch.

A large white bowl filled with a Caesar salad, showing three main layers: the bottom layer is bright green Romaine lettuce with a fresh, crisp texture; the middle layer has golden brown croutons with a crunchy surface; the top layer is scattered thin, off-white cheese shavings that sit lightly on top. Two wooden salad tongs with green painted handles rest inside the bowl, positioned slightly diagonally. The scene includes a white plate stacked with three vintage forks on the left upper side and a glass being filled with pale yellow white wine from a bottle at the upper right corner. The background is a white marbled surface with a folded blue napkin featuring white heart shapes placed near 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’ve made Caesar salads a hundred ways, but this Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe stands out because it strikes the perfect balance between creamy dressing and fresh crunch. It’s easy to make, totally customizable, and delivers that classic flavor we crave.

Super Crispy Croutons: Baking your own croutons gives a freshness and crunch store-bought just can’t match.
Homemade Dressing: Using mayo, lemon, and Parmesan for a creamy, tangy dressing that feels indulgent but fresh.
Simple Ingredients: Just a handful of kitchen staples come together for maximum flavor — no complicated steps.
Flexible For Any Occasion: Great as a side for dinner or even as a light lunch when paired with some protein.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe create a symphony of flavors and textures—the crunchy croutons contrast perfectly with crisp romaine, and the garlicky, cheesy dressing ties everything together beautifully. Here’s why I pick each one:

Flat lay of a handful of cubed crusty bread pieces, a small white bowl of extra-virgin olive oil, a small white bowl of sea salt crystals, a whole garlic clove, a fresh lemon cut in half, a small white bowl of creamy mayonnaise, a small white bowl of smooth Dijon mustard, a small white bowl of Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl of freshly ground black pepper, a small white bowl of finely grated Parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of shaved Parmesan cheese, and fresh romaine lettuce leaves torn into bite-size pieces, all arranged symmetrically 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: Perfect for soaking up oil and turning golden crisp in the oven; avoid soft sandwich bread.
Extra-virgin Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps croutons crisp up, plus a beautiful depth in the dressing.
Mayonnaise: Gives the dressing its creamy body without overpowering the other ingredients.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the dressing and balances richness with acidity.
Dijon Mustard: Brings a subtle zing and helps emulsify the dressing.
Garlic Clove: Fresh garlic adds a punch that’s essential in a Caesar.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a savory, umami depth that elevates the flavor.
Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that bring out all the natural flavors.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated cheese is key for flavor and also thickens the dressing slightly.
Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and sturdy enough to hold dressing and croutons without getting soggy.

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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

While I adore how classic this recipe is, I also love playing with it to fit the moment or what’s in the fridge. You can easily tweak the dressing’s tang or swap out the bread for a gluten-free option. Make it yours!

Variation: Sometimes I add grilled chicken or crispy bacon for a heartier meal. It’s my go-to when I want a light dinner that still fills me up.
Diet-Friendly: Use a dairy-free Parmesan substitute and swap mayo for vegan mayo to make it vegan-friendly with the same flavor punch.
Seasonal Twist: Adding fresh herbs like parsley or chives brings a fresh twist when romaine feels too ordinary.

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

Step 1: Toast the Croutons to Golden Perfection

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F. I like to line my baking sheet with parchment to keep things easy. Toss the cubed crusty bread with a generous drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt, making sure every cube gets coated. Spread them out evenly—don’t crowd the pan or they won’t get that beautiful crispness. Pop them in the oven for 10 to 18 minutes, depending on your bread’s dryness, checking halfway through to toss for even browning. They should come out golden brown, crunchy, but not burnt. Let them cool completely before adding to the salad so they stay crisp.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Creamy Dressing

In a medium bowl (or a large measuring cup if you want less cleanup), whisk the mayonnaise, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and a few grinds of black pepper until it’s smooth and well combined. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese last—for me, this is the magic that pulls the flavor together. If the dressing feels too thick, just add a teaspoon of water at a time until you get the perfect pourable consistency. Taste along the way—you might want to add a dash more lemon or salt depending on your preferences.

Step 3: Toss It All Together

Throw your chopped or torn romaine into a big bowl. Add about half the dressing and toss gently to coat all the leaves. Then sprinkle in half the croutons and half the grated Parmesan, giving it another gentle toss. I always taste here to see if I want more dressing or cheese. Finally, pile the rest of the croutons and shaved Parmesan on top for that irresistible presentation and extra crunch. Finish with a few cracks of fresh black pepper and serve right away—this salad waits for no one!

Top Tip

From my many attempts, I’ve learned a few tricks to make your Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe shine every time. It’s a simple salad, but these little touches make all the difference.

Perfect Croutons: Always use day-old or slightly stale bread. Fresh bread tends to get soggy quickly, but older bread crisps up beautifully.
Garlic Balance: Grate your garlic finely and add it gradually to your dressing. Too much can overpower, so taste as you go.
Cheese Freshness: I recommend freshly grating your Parmesan rather than using pre-grated. It melts slightly into the dressing and tastes so much fresher.
Salad Assembly: Toss the dressing with the lettuce before adding croutons. This keeps croutons crispy longer and the salad fresh.

How to Serve Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my salad with extra shaved Parmesan for a sharp, salty burst and a few whole anchovies if I want to go classic. A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper finishes it perfectly. Sometimes I add a squeeze of fresh lemon right at the table for brightness.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or even crispy baked tofu. For a casual meal, I often serve it alongside crusty bread and a light soup. It balances heavier mains and rounds out any meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I like to serve the salad in individual small bowls, layered so guests can see the vibrant greens, creamy dressing, and golden croutons. Another fun trick is arranging the salad in a hollowed-out bread bowl for a rustic, shareable presentation that’s sure to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Since the croutons can get soggy, I usually store leftover salad with dressing separate from the greens and croutons. Keep the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge—it stays fresh up to 5 days. Store the croutons at room temperature in a sealed container to maintain crunch.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh lettuce and dressing, so I recommend making only the amount you can eat within a few days. The dressing and croutons can be made ahead and frozen separately if needed.

Reheating

Since this salad is best fresh, reheating isn’t really needed. But if you make extra croutons, a quick 5-minute toast in the oven refreshes their crispiness beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the croutons without an oven?

Absolutely! You can toast the bread cubes in a skillet over medium heat with olive oil, stirring frequently until golden and crisp. It takes a bit of attention, but the flavor and crunch are just as good as oven-baked.

How long does the homemade dressing last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the dressing will keep well for up to 5 days. Just give it a good stir before using as some separation is natural.

Can I use a different type of lettuce?

While romaine is classic for its crisp texture and slightly bitter flavor, you can substitute with kale, butter lettuce, or even mixed greens, but keep in mind the texture and dressing absorption will change.

Is Worcestershire sauce essential in the dressing?

It adds a wonderful umami kick, but if you don’t have it, you can skip or replace it with a dash of soy sauce or anchovy paste to maintain that savory depth.

Final Thoughts

Making this Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe feels like a little celebration in my kitchen every time—fresh, simple ingredients coming together for something classic and satisfying. I hope you find as much joy in tossing this salad as I do serving it to friends and family. It’s one of those dishes you’ll want on hand whenever you want a quick, delicious, and comforting classic that never goes out of style.