Cucumber Caesar Salad (Print Version)

Crisp cucumbers meet classic Caesar flavors in this light, refreshing salad with creamy dressing and crunchy croutons.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salad Components

01 - 1 large English cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
02 - 1/4 cup croutons, homemade or store-bought
03 - 2 tablespoons extra Parmesan cheese, freshly grated 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)

→ Caesar Dressing

09 - 1/2 cup full-fat mayonnaise
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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 cucumber completely or create stripes for texture, then slice into thin 1/8-inch rounds. For optimal crunch, sprinkle slices lightly with salt and place in a colander for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
02 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt in a medium bowl until completely smooth and creamy. Incorporate anchovies or red pepper flakes if desired. If dressing is too thick, gradually add 1-2 teaspoons of water to reach desired consistency.
03 - Combine cucumber slices in a large bowl with enough Caesar dressing to coat evenly. Gently fold in any optional additions such as cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado, bacon, or fresh herbs, taking care not to crush the cucumber slices.
04 - Add croutons just before serving and toss gently to combine. Transfer to individual plates or a serving bowl, garnish generously with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Top with grilled chicken or shrimp if serving as a main course. Serve immediately while croutons maintain their crisp texture.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The cool cucumber crunch contrasts perfectly with the rich Caesar dressing, creating this incredibly refreshing bite that somehow still feels like comfort food
  • You can throw everything together in fifteen minutes flat, which means dinner is ready before your hunger even has time to get demanding
02 -
  • Salted cucumbers hold their crunch much longer than unsalted ones, which is worth the extra twenty minutes of prep time
  • Wait until the absolute last moment to add croutons, or they will absorb the dressing and turn into sad soggy bread cubes
03 -
  • A mandoline creates perfectly even cucumber slices, but a sharp knife and steady hand work just as well
  • Room temperature cucumbers absorb dressing better than cold ones straight from the refrigerator
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