Caesar Salad Recipe (without Anchovies)

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If you’re on the hunt for a Caesar Salad recipe that’s rich, creamy, and delicious but doesn’t involve anchovies, you’re in the right place. The dressing is simple to make and features a perfect blend of mayonnaise, fresh garlic, and lemon juice for that authentic Caesar flavor. Whether you’re a fan of anchovies or not, this anchovy-free Caesar Salad will satisfy your craving for a traditional Caesar salad, minus the unwanted extras.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with this Caesar Salad Recipe

This salad recipe is a game-changer, especially if you’re not a fan of anchovies or have a fish allergy. I don’t really notice a fishy taste when using anchovies, but I understand that there are circumstances where they need to be left out. This creamy dressing, made without raw eggs, still delivers that signature Caesar taste with a few clever substitutions. Plus, it’s super easy to throw together on busy weeknights.

You’ll love how the simple ingredients come together to create a salad that’s both rich in flavor and perfectly balanced. And the best part? You can enjoy it guilt-free knowing that this healthy Caesar salad skips the fish while still delivering all the umami flavor you expect from a great Caesar salad. This Caesar salad is everything you love about the classic—crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy garlic croutons, and fresh parmesan cheese.

If you do happen to like the traditional Caesar dressing WITH anchovies, you can find a really good one in my Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad recipe.

Ingredients Needed for Caesar Salad

Simple, fresh ingredients come together to quickly make a classic caesar salad. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Romaine Hearts – fresh is best! Nice crisp lettuce leaves.
• Bacon – store-bought bacon bits (the Costco ones are good after zapping in the microwave for a few seconds) or cook some bacon in the oven while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Garlic & Herb Croutons – I like these best for this type of salad, but feel free to use your favorite type of croutons for yours.
• Parmesan Cheese- get the good stuff for best results.

For the Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing

• Mayonnaise – this makes up the majority of the dressing so if you don’t like so much mayonnaise consider using my avocado caesar dressing.
• Fresh Lemon Juice – once again fresh is best!
• Garlic – finely minced garlic.
• Salt + Black Pepper – don’t forget to salt and pepper your dressing for the most flavor!
• More Parmesan – yes, more parmesan! Its flavor really completes the dressing.

Variations

• Greek Yogurt: Swap out half of the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.
• Chicken Caesar Salad: Add grilled chicken breast or chicken tenders to make this a complete meal.
• Vegan Option: Use vegan Worcestershire sauce and a mayo substitute to make this salad vegan-friendly.
• Homemade Croutons: Make your own croutons for a fresh, flavorful crunch.
• Umami Taste: adding a bit of soy sauce or miso paste can add a similar umami flavor without the anchovies.

How to Make Caesar Salad

I love how quickly a Caesar Salad comes together not to mention how good it tastes, too! For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, add lettuce, bacon, croutons and parmesan cheese together and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

For the dressing, whisk the mayonnaise with lemon juice, garlic, salt, black pepper, and parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning. You may have to add more lemon juice or garlic, depending on your preference.

Step 3: Toss and Serve!

Toss the salad with as much dressing as you’d like and serve immediately.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The croutons may become soggy, so it’s best to store the dressing and salad separately if possible. Caesar salad is best enjoyed fresh. Freezing it will ruin the texture of the lettuce and the dressing.

To Make Ahead: You can prepare the dressing and store it in a mason jar in the fridge for up to a week. Assemble the salad just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.

More Classic Salad Recipes to Try!

• Cucumber Salad
• Broccoli Salad
• Caprese Salad
• California Cobb Salad

Love Caesar Salad? Try these other recipes:

• Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
• Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
• Caesar Avocado Dressing
• Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

This salad recipe is a delicious, anchovy-free take on the classic that still delivers all the flavor you crave. Whether you’re making it as a side or turning it into a main dish with some grilled chicken, this easy recipe is sure to become one of your favorite salads to make at home. The printable recipe card is down below. Enjoy, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.