Sourdough Crouton Caesar Salad

Featured in: Fresh & Bright Meals

This vibrant Caesar highlights crisp romaine lettuce complemented by a creamy, lemony dressing with hints of garlic and parmesan. Homemade sourdough croutons add a golden, garlicky crunch that elevates each bite. Easy to prepare, it combines fresh ingredients and balanced flavors for a satisfying salad experience. Suitable for vegetarians when anchovies are omitted, it offers versatility and a delicious twist on a classic favorite.

Updated on Sun, 15 Feb 2026 23:40:00 GMT
A crisp Caesar salad with romaine, creamy dressing, and golden sourdough croutons for satisfying crunch. Save
A crisp Caesar salad with romaine, creamy dressing, and golden sourdough croutons for satisfying crunch. | cookinget.com

Experience a vibrant twist on a timeless favorite with this Sourdough Crouton Caesar Salad. This recipe brings together the fresh crunch of romaine lettuce and a rich, creamy homemade dressing, elevated by the addition of golden, garlicky sourdough croutons that offer an irresistible texture in every bite.

A crisp Caesar salad with romaine, creamy dressing, and golden sourdough croutons for satisfying crunch. Save
A crisp Caesar salad with romaine, creamy dressing, and golden sourdough croutons for satisfying crunch. | cookinget.com

Whether you are hosting a dinner party or looking for a quick yet satisfying lunch, this Italian-American classic delivers restaurant-quality results at home. The secret lies in the simple, high-quality ingredients that harmonize to create a refreshing and indulgent salad experience.

Ingredients

  • Sourdough Croutons: 3 cups (150 g) day-old sourdough bread (cut into 1-inch cubes), 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 large garlic clove (minced), 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  • Caesar Dressing: 1 large egg yolk (or 2 tbsp mayonnaise for egg-free), 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 anchovy fillets (minced, optional), 1/2 cup (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese, 1 small garlic clove (finely minced), salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Salad: 2 large heads romaine lettuce (chopped), 1/3 cup (30 g) shaved Parmesan cheese, freshly ground black pepper.
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Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the Bread
In a large bowl, toss the sourdough cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated.
3. Bake the Croutons
Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 12–15 minutes, turning once, until they are golden and crisp. Set them aside to cool.
4. Start the Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced anchovies (if using), and minced garlic.
5. Emulsify the Dressing
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify. Stir in the grated Parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, toss the chopped romaine with half of the dressing. Add more dressing as desired, then top with the shaved Parmesan and cooled sourdough croutons.
7. Finish and Serve
Complete the dish with a grind of fresh black pepper and serve immediately.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

To achieve a perfect emulsion for your dressing, ensure the olive oil is added in a very thin, steady stream while whisking vigorously. If you prefer your croutons extra garlicky, you can slightly increase the amount of minced garlic used when tossing the bread cubes before baking. Always allow the croutons to cool before adding them to the lettuce to prevent wilting.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For a vegetarian version, simply omit the anchovy fillets and use a vegetarian-friendly Worcestershire sauce. If you are looking for even more texture and nutrition, consider adding thinly sliced radishes or roasted chickpeas to the salad. For an egg-free alternative, high-quality mayonnaise works as an excellent base for the dressing.

Serviervorschläge

This Caesar salad is best enjoyed immediately to maintain the crunch of the sourdough croutons. To complement the savory and tangy flavors of the Parmesan and lemon, pair the dish with a crisp white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc.

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With its combination of fresh greens and warm, garlicky sourdough, this Caesar salad is a delightful meal that proves simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors. Enjoy this balanced and crisp Italian-American classic any day of the week.

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Recipe FAQs

How do you make sourdough croutons crispy?

Coating sourdough cubes with olive oil and garlic then baking at 375°F for 12-15 minutes ensures they turn golden and crispy.

What’s key to emulsifying the Caesar dressing?

Whisking the egg yolk or mayonnaise while slowly drizzling in olive oil creates a smooth, creamy emulsion for the dressing.

Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit anchovy fillets and use vegetarian Worcestershire sauce for a flavorful vegetarian option.

How to store leftover croutons?

Keep cooled croutons in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain their crunchiness.

What can I add for extra crunch?

Thinly sliced radishes or roasted chickpeas add texture and complement the salad’s flavors.

Sourdough Crouton Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine tossed with creamy dressing and golden garlicky sourdough croutons delivers irresistible crunch.

Prep Duration
20 minutes
Time to Cook
15 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Recipe by Sophie Daniels


Skill Difficulty Easy

Cuisine Italian-American

Output 4 Portion Count

Diet Preferences None specified

What You'll Need

Sourdough Croutons

01 3 cups day-old sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 1 large garlic clove, minced
04 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
05 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Caesar Dressing

01 1 large egg yolk or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise for egg-free option
02 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
03 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
04 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
05 2 anchovy fillets, minced, optional
06 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
09 Salt and black pepper to taste

Salad

01 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
02 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
03 Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 01

Prepare oven: Preheat oven to 375°F

Step 02

Coat sourdough cubes: In a large bowl, toss sourdough cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.

Step 03

Bake croutons: Bake croutons for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and crisp. Transfer to a cooling rack and set aside.

Step 04

Combine dressing base: In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies if using, and minced garlic until well combined.

Step 05

Emulsify dressing: Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously to create a smooth emulsion. Stir in grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 06

Assemble salad: In a large salad bowl, toss chopped romaine with half the dressing. Add additional dressing to taste, then top with shaved Parmesan and cooled sourdough croutons.

Step 07

Finish and serve: Finish with a grind of black pepper and serve immediately.

Essential Tools

  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large salad bowl
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Allergy Details

Review all ingredients for allergens. Ask a medical expert when uncertain.
  • Contains wheat from sourdough bread
  • Contains egg in dressing
  • Contains fish from anchovies
  • Contains milk from Parmesan cheese
  • May contain soy depending on Worcestershire sauce brand

Nutrition Facts (per portion)

These numbers offer reference only, not medical guidance.
  • Energy Value: 360
  • Fats: 25 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Proteins: 9 g