Bake Play Smile

MENUMENU
  • Recipes
  • Thermomix
  • Desserts
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Thermomix
  • Desserts
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Thermomix
    • Desserts
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Salads & Sides

    Caesar Salad

    Published: Dec 2, 2022 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    cos lettuce topped with crunchy croutons, crispy bacon, eggs and parmesan cheese.

    A classic Caesar Salad recipe made with cos lettuce, crispy bacon pieces, parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons with a creamy homemade dressing.

    It's no wonder this is one of the most popular salad recipes worldwide! Not only is it absolutely delicious, it's also very versatile... serve as a light lunch or add chicken or salmon to make a tasty main course.

    Ready to serve in just 25 minutes!

    Caesar salad on a plate.

    No matter what your reason for loving Caesar Salad is, one thing is for sure – this classic dish never goes out of style.

    In fact, over the years, it has become even more popular, with restaurants all over the world adding their own unique spin to the recipe. 

    So, if you're looking for an easy, delicious, and timeless dish to impress everyone – look no further than this classic Caesar Salad!

    Just like my creamy potato salad, Cypriot grain salad and Changs noodle salad, this Caesar salad is perfect for any occasion... from relaxed summer BBQs to Christmas celebrations, family dinners to picnics and more!

    Lettuce, diced bacon, grated parmesan and crispy croutons in a white bowl.

    Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

    • Easy to make - you don't need to be a whizz in the kitchen to make this classic recipe. All you need are a few simple ingredients and 25 minutes!
    • Versatile - not only is this salad great as a starter, a lunch or a main course, but it's also perfect for bringing along on picnics or summer BBQs.
    • Healthy - Caesar Salad is packed with healthy ingredients like lettuce, parmesan cheese, and eggs – making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a nutritious meal. You can also add some shredded cooked chicken or flaked salmon to raise the nutrition level even more, and make this Caesar salad a very substantial meal.
    • Full of flavour - it's amazing how much flavour is packed into one simple salad! The combination of the creamy dressing, crunchy croutons, crispy bacon and salty parmesan cheese make it a truly delicious dish!
    Cos lettuce, crispy bacon and crunchy croutons tossed wiht a creamy dressing.

    What You Need

    For such an impressive looking salad, the ingredients are really very basic and inexpensive to purchase.

    Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

    For The Salad

    • Large cos lettuce - or 2 medium cos lettuce, chopped. After washing the cos lettuce leaves, ensure they are completely dry before using in the salad. Alternatively, you can use iceberg lettuce however cos lettuce is the classic green to use.
    • Streaky bacon - cooked until crispy.
    • Eggs - hardboiled, peeled and chopped.
    • Parmesan cheese - grated or shaved.
    • Croutons - use store-bought croutons or make your own homemade croutons.

    For The Homemade Caesar Dressing

    • Mayonnaise - whole egg mayo is the best option as it gives the creamiest, richest flavour. This is easily purchased at the supermarket, or alternatively, you can make your own.
    • Parmesan cheese - grated.
    • Milk - full fat/full cream is best.
    • Dijon mustard - this is a style of prepared mustard that originated in the city of Dijon, France. Often used in vinaigrettes and sauces, it has a slight tangy, sharp flavour with a subtle bit of spice, and adds a mild flavour addition to this caesar salad dressing.
    • Worcestershire sauce - gives the dressing a delicious richness. There are many brands available including the classic brands of Lea & Perrins and Holbrooks.
    • Fresh lemon juice - freshly squeezed or bottled.
    • Minced garlic.
    • Anchovy fillets - (optional) you can use either anchovy fillets or anchovy paste in this recipe. Once blended with the dressing, you abolutely cannot taste the anchovies at all (not even the kids will notice!) however it adds a distinctive subtlety to the flavour of caesar salad.
    • Salt and pepper to taste.
    Ingredients for making caesar salad in bowls.

    Equipment Required

    No fancy equipment is needed to make this delicious homemade caesar salad!

    You simply need a:

    • Stovetop.
    • Saucepan - to boil the eggs.
    • Frying pan - to fry the bacon.
    • Food processor or blender for the dressing, or alternatively, you can use a Thermomix.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Caesar salad is a favourite of mine for either a weekday lunch or an easy Sunday night dinner!

    Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

    Step 1 - Prep Lettuce And Cook Bacon

    A colander of chopped cos lettuce.

    Chop the cos lettuce and place it into a large bowl. Set aside.

    Diced crispy bacon in a frying pan.

    Fry the diced bacon in a pan over medium heat until crispy. Place onto a paper towel to remove any excess oil.

    Step 2 - Boil The Eggs

    Two eggs in a saucepan.

    Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer. Use a slotted spoon to gently place the eggs into the saucepan (do not drop them into the saucepan as they will crack).

    Simmer for 12 minutes, then drain and cover with cold water.

    Peel and cut the eggs into halves.

    Step 3 - Prepare the Dressing

    Prepare the Caesar salad dressing by placing all the ingredients into a food processor and mixing on high speed for 20 seconds.

    Ingredients to make caesar salad dressing in a food processor.

    Next, scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for a further 20 seconds.

    A creamy dressing mixed in a food processor.

    If using a Thermomix, place all the ingredients into the Thermomix bowl. Mix for 20 seconds, Speed 8. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix for a further 10 seconds.

    Step 4 - Mix The Lettuce And Dressing

    Pour ½ cup of the caesar dressing over the lettuce and toss to coat. Check and then add more dressing if needed (the amount of dressing you'll need will depend on the quantity of lettuce used).

    A creamy dressing tossed through chopped cos lettuce.

    Note: The lettuce should be lightly coated but not dripping in the dressing. Taste and add extra dressing if needed.

    Step 5 - Add Toppings

    Lettuce topped with crunchy croutons, crispy bacon, chopped eggs and parmesan in a bowl.

    Place the cos lettuce into a serving bowl or dish. Top with the crispy bacon, halved eggs, and grated or shaved parmesan cheese.

    Just before serving, add the crunchy croutons on top.

    Expert Tips

    • Cos lettuce - after washing your lettuce leaves, ensure they are completely dry before using. If the lettuce leaves are still slightly damp, they will become limp, and the dressing won't stick. I recommend using a salad spinner to remove any liquid. 
    • Mayonnaise - I recommend using whole egg mayo as it has the richest and creamiest flavour and texture. 
    • Vegetarian option - omit the bacon entirely. Or replace it with slices of avocado. 
    • Dressing - start by adding just ½ cup of the homemade dressing and coating the lettuce. Taste and add more if needed. The amount of dressing you need will depend on the size of the lettuce used. 
    • Serving - add the dressing and assemble the salad just before serving. 
    A close up of a plate of Caesar salad.

    FAQ's

    Why do they call it Caesar Salad?

    When you hear the name of the famous Caesar Salad, it's simple to assume that the salad was named after the famous Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, but in fact Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant restaurateur, was the salad's namesake who first made the Caesar salad in his restaurant in Tijuana in the 1920's.

    Can you taste the anchovy in the dressing?

    Absolutely not! Once blended with the dressing ingredients, you cannot taste the anchovies - however, they give the dressing a deliciously rich flavour. I don't recommend omitting the anchovies from the dressing however you can if you really don't like them.

    Can I make Caesar Salad ahead of time?

    You can prepare the ingredients and the dressing ahead of time. However, caesar salad should be dressed and assembled just prior to serving for a fresh and crisp salad.

    Related Recipes

    This Caesar salad recipe is perfect for serving as a side or a main dish!

    Here's a few more of my most popular salad recipes:

    • Chunks of beetroot, feta, walnuts and fresh mint on a platter.
      Beetroot Salad
    • A bowl of cabbage salad with noodles.
      Chang's Crispy Noodle Salad
    • An overhead shot of a broccoli salad with bacon, almonds, cranberries and a creamy dressing.
      Creamy Broccoli Salad With Bacon
    • Salad servers in a bowl of couscous salad with roast vegetables.
      Roast Vegetable Couscous Salad

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    An overhead shot of Caesar Salad.

    Caesar Salad

    A classic Caesar Salad recipe made with cos lettuce, crispy bacon pieces, parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons with a creamy homemade dressing.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salads
    Cuisine: Italian, western
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 serves
    Calories: 407kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    For The Salad

    • 1 large cos lettuce chopped (or 2 medium cos lettuce)
    • 200 g streaky bacon diced, and cooked until crispy
    • 2 eggs hardboiled
    • ¼ cup grated or shaved parmesan cheese
    • 1 cup croutons see notes

    For The Homemade Caesar Dressing

    • 230 g (1 cup) whole egg mayonnaise
    • 45 g (½ cup) grated parmesan cheese
    • 45 g (3 tbsp) milk
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 30 g (2 tbsp) lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 2 anchovy fillets see notes
    • salt and pepper to taste
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Chop the cos lettuce and place into a large bowl. Set aside.
    • Cook the diced bacon in a frying pan over medium heat until crispy. Place onto paper towel to remove any excess oil.
    • Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer. Use a slotted spoon to gently place the eggs into the saucepan (do not drop the eggs into the saucepan as they will crack). Simmer for 12 minutes. Drain and then cover with cold water.
      Peel and cut into halves.
    • Prepare the caesar salad dressing by placing all of the ingredients into a food processor and mixing on high speed for 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for a further 20 seconds.
      If using a Thermomix - place all of the ingredients into the Thermomix bowl. Mix for 20 seconds, Speed 8. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix for a further 10 seconds.
    • Pour ½ cup of the caesar dressing over the lettuce and toss to coat. Add more if needed (the amount of dressing you'll need will depend on the size of the lettuce you've used).
      Note: The lettuce should be lightly coated but not dripping in dressing. Taste and add extra dressing if needed.
    • Place the lettuce into a serving bowl or dish. Top with the crispy bacon, halved eggs and parmesan.
    • Just before serving, add the crunchy croutons.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    • Cos lettuce - ensure the lettuce leaves are completely dry before using. If the lettuce leaves are still slightly damp, they will become limp and the dressing wont stick. I recommend using a salad spinner to remove any liquid.
    • Mayonnaise - I recommend using whole egg mayo as it has the richest and creamiest flavour and texture.
    • Croutons - use store-bought croutons or make your own.
    • Anchovies - you can use either anchovy fillets or anchovy paste in this recipe. Once blended with the dressing you cannot taste the anchovies (not even the kids will notice!) however it adds a distinctive subtlety to the flavour of caesar salad. If you really don't like anchovies you could omit them.
    • Vegetarian option - omit the bacon entirely. Or replace with slices of avocado.
    • Dressing - start by adding just ½ cup of the homemade dressing and coating the lettuce. Check and add more dressing if needed. The amount of dressing you need will depend on the size of the lettuce used.
    • Options - for a more substantial meal, add some shredded cooked chicken or flaked salmon to the salad.
    • Serving - add the dressing and assemble the salad just prior to serving. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 674mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 531IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

    More Quick & Easy Salads & Sides

    • Pieces of crunchy paprika cauliflower.
      Air Fryer Cauliflower
    • A bowl of colourful salad with red onion, pasta, cherry tomatoes. chicken, bacon and cheese.
      Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
    • A stack of creamy chicken coronation sandwiches with lettuce.
      Coronation Chicken Sandwiches
    • Two halves of a tuna melt on a plate, with a bite taken out of one half.
      Tuna Melt
    5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes You’ll Love

    • A slice of rich mud cake with chocolate frosting and blueberries on a white plate.
      The Best Chocolate Mud Cake | Most Popular

    • Mars Bar Slice
      Mars Bar Slice | 10 Minute Recipe

    • Introducing the famous 100 Cookie Recipe made with just 4 ingredients... butter, caster sugar, condensed milk and self-raising flour. This freezer-friendly cookie dough can be flavoured with any add-ins you like!
      The Famous 100 Cookie Recipe | Easy Condensed Milk Cookies

    • This new and improved Lemon & Coconut Slice recipe is absolutely perfect! A beautiful tangy base topped with a creamy lemon frosting... it seriously doesn't get any better than this!
      Lemon Coconut Slice - New & Improved

    Autumn Baking Faves

    • A forkful of moist sticky date pudding with caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
      Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel Sauce

    • These super easy golden syrup dumplings are sure to become a family favourite! Serve hot with a big scoop of ice-cream for the perfect dessert.
      Easy Golden Syrup Dumplings | Winter Dessert Recipe

    • A plate of sour cream and apple slice.
      Apple & Sour Cream Slice (classic recipe)

    • Squares of a chewy date slice on a white cake stand.
      Date Slice with Lemon Icing

    Names of brands that Bake Play Smile has had recipes featured in.

    Cosy Soups & Hearty Mains

    • A chicken and leek pie cut open on a plate.
      Chicken and Leek Pies with Bacon

    • A bowl of creamy soup with sausage, tortellini, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
      Creamy Tuscan Soup With Tortellini And Sausage

    • An overhead show of a bowl of creamy tomato risoni with baked pork meatballs on top and sprinkled with parmesan.
      Pork Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Risoni

    • A bowl of creamy Mexican chicken soup.
      Creamy Chicken Taco Soup

    Footer

    Subscribe for weekly updates!

    Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2025 Bake Play Smile

    ↑ back to top

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.