Classic Caesar Salad at Home (Enchovy-Free Dressing!)
Easy Homemade Caesar Salad Recipe: Discover the Secret to Rich Flavor Without Anchovies!
Enjoy a classic Caesar salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and savory bacon, all tossed in a delightful Caesar dressing, right in your own kitchen! While traditional Caesar dressing uses anchovies, this recipe shares a fantastic method for creating a deep, satisfying flavor without them. Elevate your meals with this special salad, perfect for any occasion.
Salad Base- Fresh salad greens (e.g., Romaine lettuce) as desired
- 2 strips of thick-cut bacon
- 1 slice of bread
- 5 black olives
Enchovy-Free Caesar Dressing- 5 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or honey)
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy substitute for umami)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (or Grana Padano/Parmesan)
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 5 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or honey)
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy substitute for umami)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (or Grana Padano/Parmesan)
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the homemade croutons that will add a delightful crunch to your salad. Cut 1 slice of bread into uniform cubes, about 1 to 1.5 cm (approximately 0.5 inches) in size. You can trim off the crusts for a cleaner look, or toast them along with the bread for extra flavor.
Step 2
Place the bread cubes in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Toast them, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crisp. For an even richer flavor, you can add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the pan. Once toasted, transfer the croutons to a plate and let them cool completely.
Step 3
Next, cook the bacon to enhance the salad’s savory notes. Place 2 strips of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat, without adding any oil. Cook slowly until both sides are nicely browned and crispy. Thoroughly crisping the bacon is key for both texture and taste.
Step 4
Once the bacon is crispy, place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease. This ensures a cleaner eating experience. After draining, let the bacon cool slightly, then cut it into approximately 2 cm (about 0.75 inch) pieces.
Step 5
Thinly slice 5 black olives. Olives add a unique, slightly briny flavor to the Caesar salad, but feel free to omit them if you prefer.
Step 6
Wash your salad greens thoroughly and pat them completely dry. Chop the greens into bite-sized pieces and arrange them attractively in your salad bowl.
Step 7
Now, let’s make the star of the show: the Caesar dressing! In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp mayonnaise, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (this acts as our anchovy umami booster!), 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 Tbsp grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (you can substitute with Grana Padano or Parmesan, or omit if unavailable), and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Ensure there are no lumps.
Step 8
Drizzle the prepared Caesar dressing evenly over the salad greens and the sliced black olives in the bowl.
Step 9
Finally, generously top the salad with the crispy homemade croutons and the chopped bacon. For an extra touch, you can grate some fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over the top and add a final grind of black pepper. Your delicious homemade Caesar salad is now ready to be enjoyed!
