Crisp and crunchy, delightfully creamy, if there’s one thing we can say is "it’s a good salad". Deceptively simple in both style and substance, the Caesar salad can be found on restaurant menus around the world. But what do we know about this delicious dish? And was is really invented by Julius Caesar himself? (Spoiler: Nope!) Today, we’re serving up a bite-sized history of our favorite salad. Hail Caesar!
What is Caesar Salad?
Caesar salad can be served as an appetizer or a side, or add lean protein like grilled chicken for a complete entree. It's a fresh, nutritious, and filling dish that's perfect for any season. There are many different variations of this salad, but the classic recipe is always a hit. It is simple to make and yields delicious results every time.
Caesar salad is made with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. The dressing is a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and garlic.
Tip: Skip the shaky cheese. Shaved Parmesan makes a big difference with this dish, elevating both presentation and flavor.
There are many different variations of Caesar salad, but some of our favorites include bacon bits, grilled salmon, and our own homemade, buttery seasoned croutons. Feel free to get creative and add your own favorite ingredients because you can’t go wrong!
Does Caesar Salad Dressing Have Anchovies In It?
While anchovy fish or anchovy paste is an ingredient in some Caesar salad dressing recipes, the original recipe did not use this particularly pungent ingredient. You can make this creamy dressing without any fish at all, or use a different type altogether if you prefer. Salmon or trout would be great substitutes to keep the unique flavor profile of fish in Caesar salad dressing without using anchovies.
Who Invented Caesar Salad?
The Caesar salad is often believed to have been created by Julius Caesar himself. But it wasn’t. Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico.
He moved to Tijuana from California to avoid Prohibition, and it was here, on July 4th, 1924, where Caesar is believed to have invented the Caesar Salad. According to his daughter, Rose Cardini, the restaurant was overrun with American customers. Short on ingredients in the kitchen, her father assembled what was left: lettuce stalks, olive oil, raw egg, croutons, parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce.
Originally intended as finger food, the original Caesar salad recipe called for whole lettuce leaves, which were to be dipped in the dressing and then eaten with the fingers. It was a hit.
Cardini's salad became so popular that it was soon being served in restaurants all over the world. Today, it is one of the most popular salads in America.
Try Our Fresh Caesar Salad
For fresh Caesar salad at a Midtown bar and grill, stop by McCray's Tavern! We offer a mouthwatering selection of field-fresh seasonal salads, as well as our famous flatbreads, sandwiches, and croissants. Our menu has something for everyone, so make plans to join us and enjoy a delicious meal!
FAQs
Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. He moved to Tijuana from California to avoid Prohibition, and it was here, on July 4th, 1924, where Caesar is believed to have invented the Caesar Salad.
Is a Caesar salad healthy? ›
The bottom line. A classic Caesar salad can fit into any healthy eating plan, but modifications to make it more nutritious may be a good idea if you eat them often. Choose a salad dressing that's low in saturated fat and sodium and consider using a 1-tablespoon (14-gram) serving.
What happened to Caesar Cardini? ›
He died in Good Samaritan Hospital on November 3, 1956, in Los Angeles following a stroke at his home at 8738 Bonner Drive and was buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery. His daughter took control of Caesar Cardini Foods Inc. Later, the Cardini's brand was sold, and is now owned by the T.
What restaurant made the first Caesar salad? ›
“We sell about 2,500 salads a month,” Plascencia said. “All tableside.” Diners at the restaurant at the Hotel Caesar in Tijuana have fallen in love with the tableside preparation of Caesar salad, created by Caesar Cardini in 1924.
Why is Caesar salad so good? ›
A well-made Caesar salad will provide a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The cool, crisp lettuce cuts through the rich, creamy dressing and saltiness of the parmesan. And the croutons add a nice crunchy element.
Did the original Caesar salad have anchovies? ›
Cardini's daughter and several other sources have testified that the original recipe used only Worcestershire sauce, not anchovies, mustard, or herbs, which Cardini considered too bold in flavor. Modern recipes typically include anchovies as a key ingredient, and are frequently emulsified or based on mayonnaise.
Is a Caesar salad healthier than a burger? ›
Broken down, a burger is a much better choice. Check out these salad options that are really not so healthy: Crispy chicken Caesar salad: Even before you add the salad dressing (about 200 calories), this salad can easily reach 700-plus calories, just from the crispy chicken pieces.
Can diabetics eat Caesar salad? ›
Even though caesar salad with chicken is a balanced dish, it can still impact your glucose metabolism. Control the portion of croutons as they are high in carbohydrates. Have a small portion of the Worcestershire sauce since it contains a lot of carbohydrates and sugar.
Is Caesar better for you than ranch? ›
Which dressing is better for me? What did I learn? Well, ranch has more calories, but caesar has more sodium and sugar.
What strange thing is happening to Caesar salad? ›
They are missing anchovies, or croutons, or even lettuce. In October, the food magazine Delicious posted a list of “Caesar” recipes that included variations with bacon, maple syrup, and celery; asparagus, fava beans, smoked trout, and dill; and tandoori prawns, prosciutto, kale chips, and mung-bean sprouts.
Many people think the Caesar salad was named after Julius Caesar -- it's not. The Caesar salad was invented by an Italian man named Caesar Cardini. Italians can rest assured that there was Italian influence behind its creation. Cardini was a restauranteur who was born in northern Italy.
What were the ingredients of the caesar salad? ›
We all know what it is: chopped romaine lettuce and garlicky croutons, tossed in a creamy dressing made with eggs, olive oil, lemon, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovies. Even when mass-produced, this combination of savory, creamy, tangy, and crunchy ingredients is tasty stuff.
What are the two types of caesar dressing? ›
Caesar salad dressing comes in a few basic forms. First, some are creamy, like ranch dressing, while others are more like vinaigrette, with a visible separation of oil and water-based ingredients.
Did Olive Garden used to have Caesar salad? ›
I was surprised when I was told that they no longer serve Caesar Salad at this Italian Restaurant. The service was slow but otherwise the food was good. The upper arches in the passage ways were the only thing that looked Italian.
How many calories does a Caesar salad have? ›
A traditional Caesar salad has 470 calories, 40 grams of fat (9 grams of which are saturated) and 1070 milligrams of sodium. Even the “side salad” boasts 362 calories, 26 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat and 913 milligrams of sodium. You're almost better off with buttered popcorn and chocolate.
What is the history of Caesar? ›
Julius Caesar was a Roman general and politician who named himself dictator of the Roman Empire, a rule that lasted less than one year before he was famously assassinated by political rivals in 44 B.C.E. Caesar was born on July 12 or 13 in 100 B.C.E. to a noble family.
Why did they name the salad after Caesar? ›
Hearing the name of the famous Caesar Salad it's easy to assume that the salad was named after a historic Roman Emperor but in reality the salad was named after Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant restaurateur.
What is the history of salad? ›
Salads have a surprisingly ancient history, with roots tracing back thousands of years. The ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans were known to consume mixed greens with a combination of salt, oil and vinegar.
What is the original Caesar dressing made of? ›
The dressing was made with raw egg yolks, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. All these fresh ingredients give the salad a unique, satisfying flavor that's hard to beat. American influences: The original Caesar salad made in Tijuana was created during Prohibition in the 1920s.
