Description
The Cucumber Caesar Salad is a refreshing and crisp twist on the traditional Caesar salad, replacing romaine with hydrating, crunchy cucumbers. It combines classic Caesar flavors like garlic, anchovies, Parmesan, and lemon juice in a creamy dressing that is light yet flavorful. Perfect for warm days or anytime you want a quick, easy, and nourishing salad that pairs well with proteins or can be enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 2 large fresh cucumbers (English cucumbers recommended), thinly sliced
Caesar Dressing
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Salad Toppings
- 1 cup crunchy croutons
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash and thinly slice the cucumbers. English cucumbers are preferred for their tender skin and fewer seeds, but any fresh cucumber can be used. Lay the slices out to absorb the dressing later.
- Make the Caesar Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, anchovy paste (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously to create a creamy, emulsified dressing. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and finish with freshly cracked black pepper.
- Assemble the Salad: Place the cucumber slices in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss gently to ensure every slice is evenly coated with the bold Caesar flavor.
- Add Croutons and More Cheese: Sprinkle crunchy croutons on top of the dressed cucumbers. Add additional grated Parmesan cheese for a cheesy finish. Toss gently one last time before serving to keep the croutons crisp.
Notes
- Choose English cucumbers for fewer seeds and a tender bite.
- Toss cucumbers with dressing just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Make homemade croutons by toasting bread cubes with garlic and olive oil for added flavor and crunch.
- Adjust lemon juice and olive oil amounts to balance acidity and creaminess to your taste.
- Keep cucumbers and dressing chilled to keep the salad refreshing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Cucumber Caesar Salad, refreshing salad, easy salad recipe, light Caesar salad, gluten free salad