Description
A refreshing and creamy Cucumber Caesar Salad featuring thinly sliced English cucumber, a tangy homemade Caesar dressing made with mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice, topped with crunchy croutons. Perfect as a light lunch or side dish, with optional grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 large English cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional: Grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (preferably full-fat)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Peel the cucumber: Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from the English cucumber, ensuring a smoother texture in the salad.
- Slice the cucumber: Thinly slice the peeled cucumber into 1/8 inch thick slices for a delicate bite.
- Remove excess moisture (optional): To prevent the salad from becoming watery, pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels or lightly salt and rinse them.
- Prepare the dressing base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until combined.
- Add flavorings to the dressing: Stir in the minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese to the dressing mixture.
- Season the dressing: Add freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Adjust consistency: Whisk the dressing until smooth; add a small amount of water if the dressing is too thick for your preference.
- Toss the salad: In a large bowl, gently combine the cucumber slices with the dressing until they are evenly coated.
- Add croutons: Right before serving, add the croutons and toss gently to maintain their crunch.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl, garnish with extra grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of black pepper, then serve immediately for the best fresh flavor.
Notes
- You can add grilled chicken or shrimp to make this salad a complete meal with extra protein.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of full-fat mayonnaise.
- Make the dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Use homemade croutons for better flavor and texture if preferred.
- Ensure cucumbers are thinly sliced for optimal texture and flavor absorption.