Name: Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 38 min
Cuisine: Italian-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 effortlessly satisfying about a crisp, tangy salad topped with golden crunchy croutons and a homemade dressing that sings with flavor. This Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe is one of my all-time favorites to whip up, whether I’m craving a light lunch or a fresh side dish that everyone will love.

A large white bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a fresh Caesar salad. The salad has layers of crisp, bright green romaine lettuce pieces mixed with golden-brown toasted croutons. Scattered across the top are thin, off-white shavings of Parmesan cheese. Two wooden salad servers with green-painted handles rest inside the bowl, ready to toss the salad. In the background, there is an empty white plate with three silver forks stacked on it, and to the right, a glass being filled with pale yellow white wine from a green bottle next to a blue patterned cloth napkin. 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

This Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe is special because it balances that creamy, tangy dressing with the crunch of homemade croutons and fresh Parmesan. It’s the kind of salad that's both comforting and elegant — perfect for simple dinners or impressing guests.

Super crunchy homemade croutons: Toasted just right with olive oil and sea salt, they elevate this salad beyond the usual.
Rich, creamy dressing that's easy to make: Whisk it up in minutes with ingredients you probably already have.
Fresh Parmesan at every turn: The combo of grated and shaved cheese adds layers of cheesy goodness.
Customizable and versatile: You can swap or add ingredients to match your mood or diet easily.

A large white bowl filled with Caesar salad shows three layers: the bottom layer of fresh green romaine lettuce, the middle layer of golden brown croutons, and the top layer of thin, light yellowish-white cheese shavings and creamy dressing drizzled over everything. Two wooden spoons with visible grain are in the bowl, one being held by a woman's hand on each side, mixing the salad. Around the bowl is a small white plate with a large block and shavings of pale yellow cheese, a clear glass jar filled with golden olive oil, a wooden pepper grinder, and a round clear bowl with extra creamy dressing. All sit on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe plays its part perfectly, from the hearty crusty bread that becomes the croutons to the tangy dressing that coats the greens. I always look for fresh, quality components because they make such a difference in the final flavor.

Flat lay of cubed crusty bread, a small white bowl with extra-virgin olive oil, a pinch of sea salt crystals scattered beside, a small white bowl filled with creamy mayonnaise, a small white bowl with fresh lemon juice, a small white bowl of smooth Dijon mustard, a whole garlic clove, a small white bowl with Worcestershire sauce, a small heap of sea salt crystals, freshly ground black pepper visible as coarse specks, freshly grated Parmesan cheese in a small white bowl, chopped romaine lettuce leaves in a simple white bowl, shaved Parmesan cheese artfully arranged on a white ceramic plate, freshly ground black pepper sprinkled artfully, all items arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, 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: Choose a day-old artisan loaf with a firm crust; it makes croutons crisp and flavorful.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Use a good-quality one both for croutons and dressing to enhance flavor and richness.
Sea salt: A sprinkle on your croutons brings out that toasty depth and balances flavors.
Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and a slight tang, forming the base of a luscious dressing without needing raw eggs.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the dressing and complements the saltiness.
Dijon mustard: Gives a subtle kick and helps emulsify the dressing.
Garlic clove: Grated fresh garlic adds that distinctive Caesar punch—don’t skip it!
Worcestershire sauce: Brings umami richness that deepens dressing flavor—optional but worth adding.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds warmth and a touch of spice throughout.
Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated in dressing and shaved on top; that sharp, salty complexity defines the salad.
Romaine lettuce: Crisp, fresh leaves offer a sturdy base that's perfect for holding all that dressing and 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

I like to keep things classic but always encourage you to tweak the Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe to fit your tastes. Try adding grilled chicken or swapping romaine for kale if you want a twist. It’s all about making this salad your own.

Variation: One of my favorite variations is adding grilled shrimp for some protein, which turns it into a complete meal without losing the salad’s crisp freshness.
For a lighter dressing: You can swap half the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt—keeps it tangy and creamy but cuts calories.
Seasonal tweak: In the fall, I like tossing in roasted butternut squash cubes alongside the croutons for that sweet, savory combo.
Make it vegan: Use vegan mayo and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan; it’s surprisingly delicious.

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

Step 1: Prepare Your Crunchy Croutons

I start by cubing crusty bread into bite-size pieces—no need to be too precise here. Then, drizzle generously with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Toss everything so the cubes are well coated, then spread them out thinly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop them in your preheated 350°F oven and watch closely from 10 to 18 minutes: you want that perfect golden brown, crunchy but not burnt. Remove and let them cool completely so they crisp up fully.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Dreamy Dressing

For the dressing, I combine mayonnaise, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl. Whisk vigorously until smooth, then fold in the freshly grated Parmesan. Sometimes the dressing gets a little thick—that’s when I add a teaspoon of water at a time until I hit that silky consistency that clings beautifully to the lettuce.

Step 3: Toss Your Salad to Perfection

Finally, grab a big bowl and toss chopped romaine with half the dressing, half the croutons, and half the grated Parmesan. I like to taste as I go here—sometimes you want a little more dressing, sometimes a touch more crunch. Once dressed to your liking, pile on the remaining croutons and shaved Parmesan, finish with a few grinds of black pepper, and dig in!

Top Tip

Making this Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe as incredible as possible comes down to a few small but powerful details I’ve learned from experience.

Crouton Crispiness: Don’t overcrowd your baking sheet—give each bread cube enough space to toast evenly and get that perfect crunch.
Fresh Garlic: Grate the garlic finely or even use a microplane; it blends better and avoids harsh raw bites.
Dressing Thickness: If too thick, add water gradually rather than more oil; it lightens the dressing without losing creaminess.
Cheese Quality: Invest in a good-quality Parmesan—you’ll taste the difference and your salad will sing.

How to Serve Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this salad with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese because it adds a delicate, melty texture contrast to the croutons. Sometimes I sprinkle a few anchovy fillets for an authentic touch, but that’s totally optional depending on your palate.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or even a simple roast chicken. For a vegetarian option, try it alongside roasted vegetables or warm, garlic-infused meatless meatballs.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I’ve served this salad in individual glass bowls layered with croutons and cheese on top, giving a restaurant-worthy look that guests love. Another fun idea is serving it in endive leaves for a bite-sized appetizer version of this classic.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Since romaine tends to get soggy quickly when dressed, store any leftover lettuce and croutons separately in airtight containers. Keep the dressing refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 5 days—I like to give it a quick stir before using again.

Freezing

I generally don’t freeze the salad or croutons as it affects texture, but you can freeze the croutons before toasting if you want to prep in advance—just store them in a freezer-safe bag.

Reheating

Crispy croutons are best reheated in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F for a few minutes—avoid microwaving as it softens them. The salad itself is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, toss just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought croutons instead of homemade?

You can absolutely use store-bought croutons for convenience, but homemade ones offer a fresher taste and better texture. Homemade croutons allow you to control the seasoning and oil, making your salad taste extra special.

How do I keep the salad from getting soggy?

The key is to keep the dressing and croutons separate until just before serving. Also, use fresh, crisp romaine and don’t overdress your salad. Toss lightly and add extra dressing on the side if desired.

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes! The dressing actually tastes better when it’s had a few hours to meld in the fridge. Just give it a good whisk before using. Keep it stored in an airtight container and use within 5 days for best freshness.

What can I add for extra protein?

Grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon are fantastic additions to bulk this salad up for a main meal. You can also add crispy bacon bits or boiled eggs for more variety and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Caesar Salad with Crispy Croutons Recipe has been a go-to in my kitchen because it’s a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, tangy, and cheesy — all in one bowl. I hope you find making and eating it as joyful as I do, whether it becomes a quick weekday favorite or your star side for the next dinner party. Trust me, once you try those homemade croutons with the fresh dressing, you’ll never look back!