This Avocado Caesar Salad is a new twist on a classic. Made with our unique Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing, it’s egg and mayo-free, but full of flavor!

Love Caesar salad recipes? Try our Kale Caesar Salad or Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad.

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Here’s our spin on the classic Caesar salad recipe. Crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons – plus creamy avocado and fresh cucumber. 

We’ve also crafted a healthier Caesar salad dressing, with no raw egg like in the traditional recipe. 

What you get is a dish that’s refreshing, flavorful, and absolutely satisfying.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Creamy Dressing – We use Greek yogurt in our dressing recipe, for a creamy texture without the egg or mayo.
  • Easy Recipe – Ready in under 30 minutes, and super simple to make. It’s also great for meal prep or to pair with hearty soup like chicken orzo soup.
  • Very Versatile – Bulk up with more protein or serve as a side dish with Chicken Stuffed Zucchini.

Ingredients

Everything you need for our easy avocado Caesar salad is just a grocery trip away. Check out the recipe card below for more details about ingredients and quantities. 

Ingredients for avocado caesar salad with cucumbers.
  • Romaine lettuce: A crunchy and fresh base for the salad. 
  • Avocado: Bring a slight nutty and buttery flavor – with plenty of protein.
  • Cucumber: Use English Cucumber or Persian Cucumbers.
  • Baguette: For those satisfyingly crunchy homemade croutons.  
  • Greek yogurt: Use whole milk Greek yogurt for creaminess – it’s less tangy than low-fat versions.
  • Anchovies: Use anchovy paste or canned anchovies – they deepen the dressing’s flavor.
  • Garlic: Adds more flavor to the dressing.
  • Lemon: Brightens the dressing with its zesty acidity.
  • Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for best results. 
  • Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy depth to the dressing.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Brings more complexity and a slight tang to the dressing.
  • Milk: For thinning the dressing. 

Variations

Customize your Caesar salad with avocado with these fun twists:

  • Protein power-up: Add a protein like cooked salmon, grilled chicken teders, steak, or even garlicky shrimp.
  • Gluten-free friendly: Use gluten-free bread for the croutons for a gluten-free Caesar salad recipe.
  • Nutritious greens: Substitute romaine with kale for more nutrition. Massage the kale to ease the bitterness.
  • Pasta perfect: Transform it into a pasta salad by adding your favorite pasta, similar to our chicken Caesar pasta salad.
  • Vegetarian: For a vegetarian Caesar salad, simply leave out the anchovies.

How to Make

Whip up this tasty Avocado Caesar Salad in a snap! Just follow these easy steps. For more details, peek at the recipe card below.

ingredients for Caesar dressing in a bowl of a food processor.

Step 1: To a food processor, add Greek yogurt, anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, Parmesan, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and milk.

creamed Caesar dressing in a food processor.

Step 2: Blend until smooth, then refrigerate.

torn pieces of bread in a bowl with melted butter being poured on them.

Step 3: Toss baguette chunks with melted butter and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

croutons on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-20 minutes or until golden and crisp.

chopped romaine, cucumbers, and croutons covered in Caesar dressing.

Step 5: In a salad bowl, mix the romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and half the croutons with the dressing.

tossed Caesar salad with sliced avocado and Parmesan cheese.

Step 6: Add the avocado slices and remaining croutons, then sprinkle with Parmesan.

Prep Ahead and Storage

The great news is this is an easy make-ahead meal. Have everything ready in the fridge, then just throw it together for a nutritious meal. Here’s some tips: 

  • Dressing: It’s easy to make the Caesar dressing ahead of time. Just keep in a jar in the fridge and shake before using. It should last a week. If it thickens too much, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of milk. 
  • Lettuce: Best prepared ahead so it can be left to dry. Wash, then store in the fridge in an airtight container lined with paper towels.
  • Croutons: Prepare a batch ahead of time. They’ll keep well in dry storage for 3-4 days, whilst getting even crunchier.   
  • Protein: Cooked chicken? Bacon bits? Cook them ahead and keep in the fridge for convenience.

Lastly, remember to store the salad, dressing, and protein separately. If you haven’t already, invest in some good-quality glass storage containers.

Expert Tips

Want to master our Avocado Caesar Salad? Here are some pro tips:

  • Serve right away: Once dressed, this salad should be served right away so it stays nice and cold. 
  • To make romaine crispy: If your romaine’s looking sad, perk it up! Soak the leaves in ice water for 10 mins, then dry well.
  • Use salad spinner: Dry that lettuce thoroughly. Use paper towels or a salad spinner.
  • Use stale bread: Use leftover stale bread for your croutons – they’ll be much crispier.
  • Add dressing to taste: Start with only a little dressing and taste test. Add more if needed.
close up of Caesar salad topped with Parmesan and dressing.

Best Caesar Salad Sides

Our Caesar salad pairs so well with many different dishes. Try these: 

Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between a tossed salad and a Caesar salad?

Tossed salads are typically a mix of different greens and other vegetables, dressed with various dressings. 

Caesar salad is more of a specific recipe. It usually combines romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and the unique Caesar dressing – containing anchovies and garlic.

Can I use store-bought dressing instead of making it from scratch?

Yes, store-bought dressing is okay if you want to save time. However, you’ll find our homemade dressing has a much fresher flavor. 

Pre-made Caesar dressing tends to have a bit too much of a ‘vinegary’ taste in our experience.

Why does Caesar salad dressing contain anchovies?

Anchovies is the secret ingredient in Caesar dressing. It packs a savory punch that adds depth – balancing the dressing’s creaminess. Don’t worry; you won’t notice a ‘fishy’ taste or smell once it’s mixed in. 

What can I use instead of anchovies in the dressing?

If you can’t get over the anchovies, no problem. Try using capers, or just omit them entirely and perhaps add a bit more Worcestershire sauce. 

If you try this Avocado Caesar Salad, please leave a star rating and let me know how you like the recipe in the comments below.

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Caesar salad in a bowl with a side of dressing.

Avocado Caesar Salad

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 25 min
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Chopped
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Caesar salad with avocado, cucumbers, crunchy croutons, and Greek yogurt Caesar dressing. It’s one of my favorite all-time salad combos!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Salad

  • 8 oz. stale baguette (about 1/2 baguette)
  • 1 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 23 medium heads of romaine lettuce, rinsed, patted dry, and chopped or torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 English cucumber or 4 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, to taste
  • Kosher salt and fresh black pepper

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, preferably whole milk
  • 2 tsp. anchovy paste or 2 canned anchovies
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 23 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. milk

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing: Add all ingredients into a bowl of a food-processor. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pulse until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate in an airtight container while you prepare the croutons and salad. Dressing can also be made up to 1 week. It will thicken the longer it sits. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to thin out. 
  2. Prepare the croutons: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Tear or cut the baguette into bite-size pieces; toss with butter and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread onto a large sheet pan and bake for 12-20 minutes or until golden and crisp, tossing halfway through. Remove from oven to cool. If using super fresh bread, it’ll take longer to crisp up. If using stale bread, it’ll crisp up faster.
  3. Prepare the salad: In a large salad bowl, toss romaine, cucumbers, and half of the croutons with half of the dressing. Taste the salad and add more dressing as needed. Top with sliced avocado, remaining croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Leftovers: This salad is best served immediately and does not make great leftovers after combined with dressing. If planning on leftovers, store everything separately and assemble only the amount that you will eat.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6
  • Calories: 348
  • Sugar: 5.5 g
  • Sodium: 443.9 mg
  • Fat: 20.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33.5 g
  • Protein: 10.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 12.6 mg

Recipe originally published January 2019 but since been updated with new information and images.