Cucumber Caesar Salad (Printable)

Crisp cucumber slices tossed in homemade creamy Caesar dressing with Parmesan croutons. A lighter twist perfect for quick meals.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 1 large English cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced into rounds
02 - 1/4 cup croutons, homemade or store-bought
03 - 2 tablespoons extra Parmesan cheese, freshly grated for garnish
04 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
05 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
06 - 1/2 ripe avocado, diced (optional)
07 - 2 tablespoons crispy bacon, crumbled (optional)
08 - Fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Caesar Dressing

09 - 1/2 cup full-fat mayonnaise
10 - 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
11 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 - 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
17 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced (optional for classic flavor)
18 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for spicy variation)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Peel the English cucumber completely or create striped patterns for visual interest. Slice into thin rounds approximately 1/8 inch thick using a sharp knife or mandoline. For optimal texture, lightly salt the slices and place in a colander for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
02 - Combine mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously until completely smooth and creamy. If incorporating anchovies or red pepper flakes, add them now and adjust seasoning to preference. Thin the dressing with 1-2 teaspoons of water if consistency is too thick.
03 - Place prepared cucumber slices in a large serving bowl. Pour dressing over cucumbers and fold gently to coat evenly without crushing the vegetables. If using cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, bacon, or fresh herbs, add them at this stage and toss lightly to distribute.
04 - Just before serving, sprinkle croutons over the salad and toss gently to incorporate. Transfer to individual plates or a decorative serving bowl. Garnish generously with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. For added protein, top with grilled chicken strips or sautéed shrimp if desired. Serve immediately to maintain crouton crispness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crisp coolness of cucumber plays so perfectly with that rich tangy dressing you wont even miss the romaine
  • It comes together in literally 15 minutes which means you can actually eat lunch on a busy weekday
  • Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe even the cucumber skeptics
02 -
  • Dress this salad right before serving or the cucumbers will release water and turn everything soggy. Ask me how I learned this one.
  • The salt trick on cucumbers makes such a difference in texture especially if you're making this ahead. Those extra 15 minutes are worth it.
  • If you don't have Worcestershire sauce a dash of soy sauce works surprisingly well as a substitute.
03 -
  • If your dressing feels too thick after chilling whisk in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice until it reaches the right consistency
  • Grate your Parmesan from a wedge if possible the flavor is noticeably brighter than pre-grated
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