Cucumber Caesar Salad (Print Version)

Cool cucumbers meet classic Caesar flavors with crunchy croutons and creamy dressing.

# 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

→ Croutons

04 - 2 cups bread cubes (day-old baguette or sourdough)
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Dressing

08 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
11 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
15 - 1/4 tsp sea salt

→ Garnish

16 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
17 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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 - In a small bowl, 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.
04 - Drizzle dressing over vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Add cooled croutons and toss lightly. Top with shaved Parmesan and extra black pepper before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The cool crunch hits differently on days when turning on the oven feels like a punishment
  • Homemade croutons make you feel fancy even though they take five minutes
  • Leftovers somehow taste better after the dressing soaks into everything overnight
02 -
  • The croutons must cool completely before adding them or they will turn soggy within minutes
  • Dressing the salad too early makes everything limp, so wait until right before serving
  • English cucumbers really do matter here because regular ones release too much water
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly into the dressing
  • The dressing tastes better after sitting for 10 minutes in the fridge

Go Back