Cucumber Caesar Salad (Printable version)

Crisp cucumbers meet classic Caesar flavors with crunchy croutons and creamy dressing in this refreshing 20-minute dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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, preferably 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

# How to Make It:

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 if using.
04 - Drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Add cooled croutons and toss again lightly. Top with shaved Parmesan and extra black pepper before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The cucumbers add a refreshing water content that balances the rich dressing perfectly
  • Homemade croutons transform this from ordinary salad into something crave-worthy
  • Ready in twenty minutes flat, making it perfect for weeknight dinners
02 -
  • Do not dress the salad more than 15 minutes before serving or the cucumbers will release water and make everything soggy
  • The croutons can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container
  • English cucumbers are worth seeking out because regular cucumbers have tough skins and bitter seeds
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre-grated, the texture difference is remarkable
  • Let the dressed salad sit for 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors mingle

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