Cucumber Caesar Salad (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumbers meet tangy Caesar flavors in this refreshing modern salad with creamy parmesan dressing

# What You’ll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 1 large English cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
02 - 1/4 cup croutons, homemade or store-bought
03 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
04 - 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 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
09 - Grilled chicken or shrimp for protein, optional

→ Caesar Dressing

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Peel the cucumber fully or in stripes for textural variation, then slice thinly to approximately 1/8 inch thickness. For optimal moisture control, sprinkle slices with salt, allow to sit in a colander for 15 to 20 minutes to extract excess liquid, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt until creamy consistency is achieved. Incorporate anchovies or red pepper flakes if desired, and adjust seasonings to preference. If dressing is too thick, thin with 1 to 2 teaspoons of water.
03 - In a large bowl, gently combine cucumber slices with sufficient Caesar dressing to coat evenly. Fold in optional cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, bacon, or fresh herbs as desired.
04 - Immediately before serving, add croutons and gently toss to combine. Transfer to serving bowl or individual plates. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Top with grilled chicken or shrimp if protein is desired.
05 - Serve at once to maintain optimal crouton texture and cucumber crispness.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and creamy without weighing you down on hot days.
  • The whole thing comes together in fifteen minutes, making it perfect for unexpected company.
  • Cucumbers soak up the tangy dressing beautifully, so every bite delivers real flavor.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad more than a few minutes before serving, or the cucumber will start to weep and the croutons will turn soggy.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the dressing and cucumbers in separate containers and combine them right before eating.
03 -
  • Make homemade croutons by tossing cubed bread with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then baking them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for ten to fifteen minutes, turning once, and they'll taste infinitely better than the bagged kind.
  • If you need a vegan version, swap in vegan mayonnaise, skip the Parmesan and Worcestershire, and add a pinch of nutritional yeast for that cheesy note you're missing.
Go Back