Description
Cucumber Caesar Salad is a fresh, light twist on the classic Caesar salad, combining crisp cucumbers with romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, and crunchy croutons. Perfect for warm days or quick lunches, this salad offers a refreshing crunch, rich flavors, and is easy to prepare in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 firm, fresh cucumbers, sliced into thin rounds or half-moons
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped into strips or bite-sized chunks
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced (or in dressing)
Dressing
- 2 tbsp anchovy paste (optional for vegetarian version)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Other
- 1 cup crunchy croutons (store-bought or homemade)
- Extra Parmesan cheese for garnish
- Fresh lemon juice for finishing (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and dry the cucumbers and romaine lettuce thoroughly. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds or half-moons and chop the romaine into bite-sized chunks.
- Make or Prepare the Dressing: For homemade dressing, whisk together minced garlic, anchovy paste, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Alternatively, use a high-quality store-bought Caesar dressing.
- Toss the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the cucumbers, romaine lettuce, and croutons. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure even coating while keeping the greens crisp.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the salad with extra Parmesan shavings and freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the top for added brightness before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature dressing to coat the salad more evenly.
- Slice and lightly salt cucumbers, then drain excess water to prevent sogginess.
- Toast homemade croutons using day-old bread for better crunch and flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded for enhanced taste.
- Toss salad gently to keep lettuce crisp and avoid wilting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Cucumber Caesar Salad, fresh salad, light Caesar, summer salad, healthy salad, quick salad, crunchy salad
