This Caesar Salad Recipe Is Simple & Classic — And I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Salads

Recipe Review

Amelia Rampe

Amelia Rampe

Amelia is a Filipino-American food and travel writer, food stylist, recipe developer, and video host based in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education and worked in kitchens under Jean-Georges Vongerichten at ABC Kitchen and Nougatine at Jean-Georges. She is a former contributing food editor at Bon Appétit Magazine and former Senior Recipe Editor at thekitchn.com. Her recipes have been published by Food52, Bon Appetit, Washington Post and more.

Follow

published Dec 15, 2021

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

This Caesar Salad Recipe Is Simple & Classic — And I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way (1)

When Julia Child was a tween, she and her parents traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, and dined at Cardini’s. It was there that she experienced her first Caesar salad. Her experience was very similar to mine at the Hotel del Coronado. A server came up to the table —in her case, it was Caesar Cardini himself —and prepared the salad in the dining room as she and her family watched. In this dramatic effect that you rarely see today, the salad becomes not just a thing you eat, but something you experience.

Many years later, Julia would acquire the original recipe from Caesar’s daughter, Rosa. The recipe features whole romaine hearts and garlic-infused croutons, and uses a coddled egg, lemon juice, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce in the dressing. The whole thing is topped off with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

The most notable aspect of this recipe is that it does not include anchovies, and that’s because they weren’t used in Cardini’s original version. Instead, the recipe relies on the garlic, Parmesan, and Worcestershire sauce to bring in the savory flavors.

How to Make Julia Child’s Caesar Salad Recipe

Remove and separate the light green leaves from two romaine hearts, then wash and dry. Keep them crisp in the refrigerator while you make the croutons and prepare the dressing.

Crush the garlic clove with the back of a chef’s knife, then sprinkle with salt. Mince the garlic, pour olive oil over top, then mash and press the garlic with your knife until you have a paste. Scrape the paste into a medium or large skillet along with more olive oil. Warm the mixture over medium-low heat, then add plain toasted croutons and toss until the bread is coated in the garlic oil.

Pierce a tiny hole in the large end of one egg. Cook the egg in gently simmering water for 1 minute. When you’re ready to eat, make sure to have the coddled egg, one seeded and halved lemon, and Worcestershire sauce ready to go.

Gently toss and coat the whole romaine leaves with olive oil. Season the leaves with salt and pepper, then squeeze the juice from the lemon and drizzle on some Worcestershire sauce and toss again. Taste and season as needed.

Crack the coddled egg and drop it onto the romaine mixture. Gently toss until the leaves are coated in the egg. Add the croutons and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and toss once more. Arrange the leaves on a platter and serve!

My Honest Review of Julia Child’s Caesar Salad Recipe

When I tasted this recipe, I was immediately transported back to The Crown Room at the Hotel de Coronado. I didn’t miss the anchovies at all! The texture of the dressing and the gentle balance of flavors reminded me why this original iteration became a classic. It was my favorite Caesar salad of all the ones I tried.

The light texture of the dressing means it doesn’t overwhelm the lettuce. It’s far more elegant than the clunky (but delicious) dressing from Serious Eats. And even though I absolutely love the croutons from the Serious Eats recipe, I found the flavor to be on the dominantside, overpowering the salad itself. Julia’s croutons were light and balanced, and complementary to the overall flavor. Next time, I’ll make an extra-big batch, because I found myself wanting even more.

If You’re Making Julia Child’s Caesar Salad, a Few Tips

  1. Prep your lettuce first. Make sure your lettuce is washed and dried before you start making the rest of the salad components. This will bring ease to your table-side drama!
  2. Serve it to guests. This is a great salad to make when you want to impress your guests. Prepare the salad table-side and they will be dazzled! While this sounds difficult, it’s just a few ingredients that get gently tossed in a bowl. I personally love that extra touch, and so will your guests.
  3. Swap out the dressing, if meal prepping. Not making the dressing table-side? Or trying to eat Caesar salad throughout the week? Try making a batch of Serious Eats’ Caesar dressing and keep it stored in the fridge for a week. You can dress your salad with quickness and ease.

.Overall rating: 10/10

Have you tried Julia Child’s Caesar Salad recipe? Let us know in the comments!

Filed in:

Recipe Review

Salad

This Caesar Salad Recipe Is Simple & Classic — And I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way (2024)

FAQs

What does a classic Caesar salad contain? ›

We all know what it is: chopped romaine lettuce and garlicky croutons, tossed in a creamy dressing made with eggs, olive oil, lemon, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovies. Even when mass-produced, this combination of savory, creamy, tangy, and crunchy ingredients is tasty stuff.

Why is Caesar salad so unhealthy? ›

While health-promoting vegetables are the foundation of salads, the extras that are often included in salads can contain too much sugar, sodium, and extra calories. Traditional Caesar salad contains cheese, croutons, raw eggs, and anchovies.

What is the original Caesar dressing made of? ›

The dressing was made with raw egg yolks, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. All these fresh ingredients give the salad a unique, satisfying flavor that's hard to beat. American influences: The original Caesar salad made in Tijuana was created during Prohibition in the 1920s.

Which ingredient is not commonly found in classic Caesar salad? ›

The ingredient typically not found in a classic Caesar salad is Iceberg lettuce. A traditional Caesar salad, made primarily of romaine lettuce, doesn't include iceberg lettuce. It may vary in different recipes.

What is the meaning of classic Caesar salad? ›

A Caesar salad (also spelled Cesar, César and Cesare) is a green salad of romaine lettuce and croutons dressed with lemon juice (or lime juice), olive oil, eggs or egg yolks, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Caesar salad. Course. Hors d'oeuvre.

What is the healthiest salad you can eat? ›

10 Nutrient-Dense Salad Recipes
  • Low-Carb Asian Chopped Salad.
  • Spicy Shrimp, Avocado, and Arugula Salad.
  • Tofu and Kale Salad.
  • Pear, Grape, and Feta Salad.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Salad.
  • Blood Orange and Quinoa Kale Salad.
  • Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad.
  • Roasted Chickpea and Kale Salad.
Jul 20, 2021

Is it bad to eat Caesar salad everyday? ›

While the classic Caesar salad can offer a medley of flavors and nutrients, consuming it every day might need a touch of moderation. A diverse diet ensures a wide range of nutrients your body needs.

Can you lose weight eating Caesar salads? ›

These recipes are perfect if you're looking to lose weight, as Caesar salad is packed with protein and fiber. Whether you're looking to drop a few pounds or simply maintain your current weight, adding nutritious caesar salads to your diet can help with those goals. Sure. But remember to eat varied.

What is normally comes with Caesar salad? ›

The salad typically includes romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a dressing made of anchovies, olive oil, garlic, lemon, egg yolks, and Dijon mustard. But not all Caesar salads are created equal in today's creative culinary world.

Did the original Caesar salad have anchovies in it? ›

While anchovy fish or anchovy paste is an ingredient in some Caesar salad dressing recipes, the original recipe did not use this particularly pungent ingredient. You can make this creamy dressing without any fish at all, or use a different type altogether if you prefer.

Is Caesar salad Italian or Mexican vs American? ›

The Caeser salad was invented by the Italian chef, Caesar Cardini who immigrated to the U.S. and ran restaurants in California. He opened restaurants in Tijuana, Mexico during prohibition so he wouldn't have to deal with the ban on alcohol in the U.S. This is when and where he invented his famous salad.

Why is Caesar salad so good? ›

Caesar dressing is intensely flavored. It has to be because it delivers just about all of the flavor you find in a Caesar salad. Garlic, lemon, olive oil, Worcestershire, anchovy, black pepper, and parmesan is a combination that's proven to be a winner. It's a power punch of flavors that people love.

Does traditional Caesar salad have anchovies? ›

Does Caesar Salad Dressing Have Anchovies In It? While anchovy fish or anchovy paste is an ingredient in some Caesar salad dressing recipes, the original recipe did not use this particularly pungent ingredient. You can make this creamy dressing without any fish at all, or use a different type altogether if you prefer.

What is the difference between a regular salad and a Caesar salad? ›

The main differences lie in the type of lettuce used, key components, and dressing. House salads offer a broader range of ingredients and dressings, while Caesar salads have specific components like romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and a distinct Caesar dressing.

Is Caesar salad healthier than regular salad? ›

When you're choosing your bowl of greens this summer, you should know that three types contain more calories, sodium and fat than you may want, one dietitian says. So, if you want to eat the healthiest salads possible, steer clear of taco salads, chef salads and Caesar salads.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 6157

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.