I make this Low-Carb Caesar Salad featuring a classic dressing and crisp romaine lettuce. This delicious salad has no croutons and it's gluten-free.
Jump to:
- How Many Carbs Are in Caesar Salad?
- Why Choose a Low-Carb Caesar Salad?
- How Many Carbs Are in Caesar Dressing?
- About Olive Oil
- Caesar Salad Ingredients
- Why Are Anchovies in Caesar Salad?
- How to Shave Parmesan Cheese
- How to Make Caesar Dressing
- How to Cut Romaine for Caesar Salads
- Assembly of The Caesar Salad
- Can I Make the Salad Ahead of Time?
- Top 10 Things To Top Your Caesar Salad That Aren't Croutons
- Serving Suggestions
- The Best Gift Store in Islamorada, Florida
- Disclaimer:
- Caesar Salad with Fish
- Frequently Asked Questions
- "📖 Recipe"
- 💬 Comments
If you're on a low-carb diet, finding satisfying and flavorful meal options can be challenging. The classic Caesar salad is a popular choice but often includes high-carb croutons and a sugar-laden dressing.
However, with a few simple tweaks, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying low-carb Caesar salad that's perfect for your eating style.
How Many Carbs Are in Caesar Salad?
There are 2.7 carbs in this Caesar salad. In a classic Caesar salad you are looking at about 40 carbs per serving.
A moment on your lips, forever on your hips.
Long Island proverb
Why Choose a Low-Carb Caesar Salad?
The Caesar salad is a classic dish known for its rich, creamy dressing. By making a few adjustments, such as eliminating croutons and using a low-carb dressing, you can enjoy a damn good Caesar salad without the extra carbs.
Plus, it's easy to prepare and full of flavor, making it a satisfying meal for any occasion.
This makes it an excellent option for those following gluten-free, keto, other low-carb diets.
How Many Carbs Are in Caesar Dressing?
With only 3 net carbs per serving, the creamy Parmesan dressing makes this salad an ideal choice for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
To maintain creaminess without extra carbs, focus on high-quality extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, and grated Parmesan cheese. These contribute richness and flavor without significantly increasing carb levels.
About Olive Oil
Let's talk about the highlight of the salad—the olive oil! The exceptional quality of olive oil is so exquisite that you might be tempted to enjoy it directly from the bottle.
Many of the superior oils are imported from the Mediterranean. When selecting olive oil, look for the term "monovarietal," which indicates that it is processed with a single variety of olives.
You can learn a lot about olive oil by its placement in the grocery store. The more expensive, better-tasting, and healthier options are typically on the top shelf, while less expensive brands that may not offer the same taste experience are at eye level.
Caesar Salad Ingredients
- Anchovies
- Garlic
- Salt
- Egg yolks
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Romaine lettuce hearts
- Parmesan cheese
Why Are Anchovies in Caesar Salad?
Anchovies are a key ingredient in Caesar salad dressing, contributing to its distinctive flavor.
While some variations of the Caesar salad dressing or recipes may omit anchovies or use anchovy paste, I love the taste of anchovies and use them in my Caesar dressing. The use of anchovies is a defining characteristic of the classic Caesar salad.
According to The Spruce Eats, Caesar salad, the traditional recipe made by Caesar Cardini, the salad's creator, includes anchovies as a primary ingredient.
How to Shave Parmesan Cheese
I'm starting with cheese because it is a main component of the dressing. Buy a wedge of fresh Italian parmesan cheese from the specialty aisle or gourmet cheese section at your grocery store.
I grated the cheese in two different ways. I used shaved Parmesan as a salad topper instead of croutons, and I finely grated Parmesan cheese to mix into the dressing.
To create shaved Parmesan, use a vegetable peeler or cheese slicer to gently shave thin slices from the narrow side of the block. Make approximately 12 strips and break them into bite-sized pieces.
The remaining cheese should be grated using the small (teardrop-shaped) holes of a box grater. You need 2 tablespoons for the dressing, and the rest can be passed at the table.
How to Make Caesar Dressing
- Drop anchovies, salt, and garlic into your food processor, and pulse on low for a few seconds until the garlic is finely minced. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Add eggs, lemon juice, and mustard. Pulse until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Replace the cover and with the machine running on low, slowly add the olive oil through the feeding tube on the top, processing until it is emulsified.
- Mix two tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese into the dressing. Add a little freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate in a covered jar until ready to use.
How to Cut Romaine for Caesar Salads
Cutting romaine lettuce becomes effortless when you do horizontal cuts instead of tearing the leaves individually.
For this, you can either use two heads of chopped romaine lettuce with the dark outer leaves removed or three heads of romaine hearts.
Begin by placing the lettuce on a cutting board. Remove and discard the stem. Then, slice the lettuce horizontally into 1-inch pieces for your Caesar salads.
Place all the lettuce in a salad spinner. Remove the inner perforated bowl, rinse the lettuce with cold running water, and then place it back in the spinner.
Spin a few times until the excess water is removed. If you don't have a spinner, you can swish the lettuce in a large bowl of water, and lift it out, leaving debris behind. Then, place it on a clean dish towel and pat it dry.
Assembly of The Caesar Salad
Considering individual preferences for dressing, place the lettuce in a large mixing bowl. Toss the lettuce with half of the dressing, adding more to achieve your desired creaminess level. You can serve extra dressing at the table along with a pepper mill.
Top each serving with shaved Parmesan.
Can I Make the Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes! The Caesar dressing can be made one day ahead of time. Pour it into a small covered glass jar and refrigerate until needed.
For the lettuce, it's best to prep it when you are assembling your meal. If you are preparing the salad a few hours ahead, wash the lettuce, spin it, and place a few wet paper towels over it in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
Top 10 Things To Top Your Caesar Salad That Aren't Croutons
- Fresh Fruit: Cut your favorite stone fruit (peach, plum, aporicot) or any variety of grapes for a grain-free Caesar topping.
- Baked Kale Chips: Light and crispy kale chips can be broken into pieces and used as a unique and healthy salad topping.
- Plantain Chips: Thinly sliced and baked plantain chips are a crunchy alternative.
- Toasted Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds can be toasted and sprinkled over your salad for a good crunch.
- Dried Fruit: Dried cranberries, raisins, or apricots can add a chewy texture
- Roasted Chickpeas: Seasoned and roasted chickpeas provide a crunchy, protein-packed topping.
- Bacon Bits add a smoky crunch to your salad.
- Vegetable Chips: Thinly sliced and baked vegetable chips, such as sweet potato, beet, or zucchini, can add both color and crunch.
- Rice Crackers: Crumbled rice crackers are a great grain-free option that can easily be added to any salad for extra texture.
Serving Suggestions
I topped this salad with Pan Seared Chicken Breasts. You can make the chicken before preparing the salad in a cast-iron grill pan and serve it hot or cold with the salad.
More Creamy Salads
The Best Gift Store in Islamorada, Florida
If you're in the Florida Keys, be sure to visit Olivemorada, a specialty shop in Islamorada. They offer 50 different olive oils from around the world, all available for sampling.
Olivemorada is at Mile Marker 82, right on your way to Key West and 20 miles south of Key Largo. They also have a full line of flavored vinegars and great culinary gifts.
Disclaimer:
CONTAINS RAW EGGS: Take caution when consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs because of the slight risk of salmonella or other food-borne illness.
Caesar Salad with Fish
Ceasar Salad makes a great base for any fish dinner! Try these popular low-carb shrimp and fish recipes for your next dinner.
- Roasted Yellowtail Snapper
- Broiled Blackened Snapper
- Roasted Mahi Mahi
- Beked Whole Red Snappe
- Sautéed Shrimp with Coconut Aminos
- Cajun Blackened Shrimp with Butter Sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional Caesar dressing typically contains ingredients like anchovies, garlic, mustard, egg yolk, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice, which are generally gluten-free. When purchasing bottled Caesar dressing, be sure to check for any fillers that may contain gluten.
Yes, Caesar dressing contains fewer than three carbs per serving. While homemade Caesar salad dressing is naturally low in carbs, adding croutons increases the carb content significantly so consider alternatives if you want to keep the overall carb count low.
Parmesan is a dairy product. It is a hard, aged cheese made from cow's milk. If you are looking for a dairy-free alternative, there are vegan Parmesan substitutes available made from plant-based ingredients like nuts, seeds, or nutritional yeast.
Freshly grated Parmesan should be refrigerated, and it is at its best when consumed within a week or two. Storing it in an airtight container or sealed bag in the refrigerator will help maintain its quality for a short period. Always be sure to check for any signs of spoilage, such as an off smell or mold, and discard if spoiled.
"📖 Recipe"
Low Carb Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 6 oz Parmesan cheese
- 6 anchovy filets packed in oil, drained
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and smashed
- 2 raw egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- freshly ground black pepper
- 3 heads Romaine lettuce hearts or 2 heads of Romaine lettuce. Remove dark outer leaves.
Instructions
FOR THE PARMESAN CHEESE
- Using a vegetable peeler, gently shave thin slices of the cheese from the narrow side of the block. Make about 12 strips and break them into bite sized pieces.
- Process the remaining cheese with a box grater. Be sure to use the tiny teardrop holes, not the large ones. You need 2 tablespoons for the dressing and the rest can be passed at the table.
FOR THE DRESSING
- Drop anchovies, salt and garlic in your food processor and pulse on low for a few seconds until garlic is finely minced. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Add eggs, lemon juice, and mustard. Pulse until combined. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula.
- Replace cover and with machine running on low, slowly add the olive oil through the feeding tube on the top of the food processor until it is emulsified.
- Mix two tablespoons of finely grated parmesan cheese into the dressing. Add a little freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate in a covered jar until ready to use.
FOR THE SALAD
- Remove the tough outer leaves of the lettuce. Place the lettuce on a cutting board and slice the lettuce horizontally into 1" pieces. Make sure to remove the "stump" from the bottom of the lettuce.
ASSEMBLY
- Gently toss the lettuce with half of the dressing in a large bowl using tongs or a rubber spatula. Gradually add more dressing until you reach your desired level of creaminess.
- Plate your salads and scatter shaved parmesan cheese and some freshly ground black pepper over each salad.
