# Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine, a punchy anchovy-garlic dressing, and shards of Parmesan — the classic that earns its reputation every time.

_Salad · Italian-American_

Prep: 20 min · Cook: 10 min · Total: 30 min · Yields: 4 servings

## Ingredients

- 2 large romaine lettuce hearts (leaves separated, washed, and dried)
- 3 tbsp olive oil (for croutons)
- 2 cloves garlic (1 halved for croutons, 1 minced for dressing)
- 2 cups sourdough bread (torn into 1-inch pieces)
- ¼ tsp kosher salt (for croutons, plus more to taste)
- 2 piece anchovy fillets (packed in oil, drained)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup neutral oil (such as grapeseed or light olive oil)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 oz Parmesan (half finely grated for dressing, half shaved for topping)

## Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
2. Toss the 2 cups torn sourdough bread with the 3 tbsp olive oil and 0.25 tsp kosher salt on a baking sheet. Rub the pieces with the cut side of the halved garlic clove, then discard the garlic.
3. Bake the croutons for 10–12 minutes, turning once halfway, until deep golden and crisp. Set aside to cool.
4. While the croutons bake, make the dressing: mash the 2 anchovy fillets and 1 minced garlic clove together with the flat of a knife on a cutting board until a smooth paste forms.
5. Transfer the anchovy-garlic paste to a medium bowl. Whisk in the 1 large egg yolk, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce until combined.
6. Slowly drizzle in the 0.5 cup neutral oil in a thin, steady stream while whisking constantly to emulsify the dressing into a creamy consistency.
7. Stir in half the Parmesan (about 1 oz, finely grated) and the 0.25 tsp black pepper. Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice as needed.
8. Tear the 2 romaine lettuce hearts into large pieces and add to a wide salad bowl.
9. Drizzle the dressing over the romaine and toss well, making sure every leaf is coated.
10. Add the croutons and toss once more gently to combine.
11. Plate the salad and top with the remaining shaved Parmesan. Serve immediately.

## Tip

> Emulsification is the whole game for the dressing — if you add the 0.5 cup neutral oil too fast, it will break and turn greasy instead of creamy. Go drop by drop for the first tablespoon, then thin stream from there.

Tags: salad, vegetarian, comfort-food, weeknight, 30-minute

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Canonical: https://just-recipes.io/recipes/caesar-salad