What does a real Caesar salad contain?

Here’s everything you need to know about Caesar salad:

• What is a Caesar salad?
• Why is it called a Caesar salad?
• What are the Caesar salad ingredients?
• Does Caesar salad contain allergens?
• What is classic Caesar salad dressing made of?
• Is Caesar salad vegan?
• Does Caesar salad contain gluten?
• Who created the original Caesar salad recipe?
• Is Caesar salad healthy?
• Does a Cesar salad have chicken in it?

Now let’s find out the answers to these questions - and learn some top Caesar salad tips too...

What is a Caesar salad?

A Ceasar salad is a green, lettuce-based salad named after the restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico where it was invented.

Also spelled Cesar, César and Cesare, the salad was originally prepared at the side of the table and can be served as a starter or side dish or even a main course with the addition of a protein like chicken.

A Caesar salad is made with romaine lettuce, croutons and a dressing containing ingredients such as lime or lemon juice, eggs, olive oil, parmesan cheese, black pepper and anchovies.

Why is it called a Caesar salad?

The Caesar salad is named for chef Caesar Cardini who owned the restaurant Caesar’s in Tijuana where the salad was invented. The Caesar salad has nothing to do with the Roman emperor Julius Caesar.

Top tip!

You actually don’t need both anchovies and Worcestershire sauce in a Caesar salad dressing - so select just one.

They have the same flavour profile and using both will unbalance the salad’s flavour.

What are the Caesar salad ingredients?

The main ingredient in a Ceasar salad are romaine lettuce leaves (it should always be romaine lettuce and not other varieties of lettuce), croutons (cubes of fried or toasted bread) and a dressing of lime or lemon juice, eggs (or egg yolks), Parmesan cheese, black pepper, olive oil, garlic, anchovies or anchovy paste, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Some varieties of the Caesar salad add further components such as bacon or grilled chicken.

Does Caesar salad contain allergens?

Yes a traditional Caesar salad contains multiple allergen ingredients - Eggs from the dressing, Milk from parmesan cheese and Cereals containing Gluten from the croutons (bread).

Many Caesar salads also include Mustard and anchovies - a type of Fish, and some Worcestershire sauce also contains fish. Both are among the 14 major food allergens.

Top tip!

To keep your salad leaves fresh and crunchy (particularly given the richness and heaviness of a Caesar salad dressing), douse or plunge them into ice water and dry off thoroughly before using.

What is classic Caesar salad dressing made of?

A Ceasar salad dressing is made with Parmesan cheese, egg (or egg yolks alone), freshly ground black pepper, olive oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil), anchovies (or anchovy paste), Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and garlic. You can now buy many varieties of bottled Caesar sauce, which contain both the traditional ingredients and sometimes additions such as mayonnaise, in addition to flavourings and preservatives.

Is Caesar salad vegan?

No, a traditional Caesar salad is not vegan - it contains Eggs, anchovies and Parmesan cheese, which are all animal-derived ingredients and not suitable for vegan diets. Some types of Caesar salad may also include chicken, a type of meat. Some varieties of Worcestershire sauce are also not suitable for vegans.

Top tip!

Choose the inner leaves of the romaine lettuce for a fresh, sweet flavour. The outer leaves can taste bitter, which will require more dressing to counterbalance.

Does Caesar salad contain gluten?

Yes, a traditional Caesar salad does contain gluten, because croutons - cubes of fried or toasted bread are a main ingredient and usually made with wheat flour. Wheat is a Cereal contain Gluten.

You can make Caesar salads gluten-free by using gluten-free croutons.

Who created the original Caesar salad recipe?

Caesar Cardini is widely agreed to be the inventor of Caesar salad, and is thought to have created it impulsively on a busy day at his restaurant in 1924. Caesar Cardini was an immigrant to America, Italian by birth, and he opened restaurants in both the USA and Mexico. One of the restaurants was Caesar’s, in Tijuana, where the Caesar salad was invented (whilst the place is not usually disputed, the person sometimes is - with several stories attributing the salad to Caesar’s brother or other members of staff).

Top tip!

Homemade croutons are best, as they are extra fresh and crunchy. Give them even more flavour by coating with dried herbs or garlic salt before toasting or frying,

Is Caesar salad healthy?

Whilst salads have a reputation for being healthy, a Caesar salad is high in calories, low in vegetables and not very good for you. Caesar salad dressing has several high-calorie, high-fat ingredients such as cheese and oil, and further fat - as well as carbohydrates - come from the croutons.

If the salad is heavily dressed it can be a less healthy option than even burger and fries.

Does a Cesar salad have chicken in it?

A traditional Caesar salad does not contain chicken - chicken is not one of the ingredients. However, chicken is a popular addition to a Caesar salad and this dish would usually be called or advertised as a ‘Chicken Caesar salad’.

Top tip!

Caesar salad dressing tasting a little bitter? Or maybe you just prefer it with a certain sweetness - either way, add a splash of apple cider vinegar to give it that kick.