Cucumber Caesar Salad (Print Version)
Cool cucumbers meet creamy Caesar dressing and homemade croutons in this crisp 20-minute salad.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 large English cucumbers, sliced into half-moons
02 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
03 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
→ Homemade Croutons
04 - 2 cups bread cubes, preferably day-old baguette or sourdough
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Creamy Caesar Dressing
08 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
→ Garnish
16 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
17 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss bread cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 5–7 minutes until golden and crisp. Set aside to cool.
02 - Whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine sliced cucumbers, chopped romaine lettuce, and red onion if using.
04 - Drizzle prepared dressing over vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Add cooled croutons and toss again lightly to incorporate.
06 - Top with shaved Parmesan and extra black pepper. Serve immediately for optimal texture.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cool crunch of cucumbers against that creamy tangy dressing hits different when it's hot outside
- Crispy croutons make everything better, and these homemade ones are worth every minute
- People who claim they hate salad somehow always ask for seconds
02 -
- Don't dress the salad more than 15 minutes before serving or the cucumbers will weep and everything gets watery
- Room temperature ingredients for the dressing help it emulsify better than cold ones straight from the fridge
03 -
- Use a vegetable peeler to shave Parmesan into delicate ribbons instead of grating it for the garnish
- If your cucumbers have particularly thick skin, peel strips in a striped pattern rather than removing it completely