Caesar Salad With Crispy Artichokes & Fried Capers

A homemade Caesar Salad with an easy caesar dressing is an essential salad to make. While delicious in summer when salad greens are fresh from the garden or farm, this salad is equally great, and easy to make, in any season. This recipe builds on the classic caesar salad recipe and takes it up a notch with the addition of crispy artichoke hearts and fried capers. It is my go-to easy caesar and one of my favorite artichoke salad recipes.

VEGETARIAN ✓ LOW CARB ✓ KETO ✓ GLUTEN-FREE ✓

Recipe Notes

A simple caesar salad is an essential salad to master. It is always delicious and satisfying, even at its most basic, when it is simply dressed greens. But from there, the options are limitless for the variations you can try and the ingredients that you can add in. I started adding these crispy artichokes to my caesar when I began eating a low carb, keto diet. I used the artichokes as a substitute for homemade garlic croutons. They add a slight crunch and a punch of flavor that is delicious! I love to serve this will grilled fish or shrimp, or alongside this Fra Diavolo Seafood Stew.

The Origin Of The Caesar Salad

Did you know that the caesar salad actually originated in Mexico? The origin of the caesar salad is attributed to Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant and restaurateur in the United States and Mexico. During the Prohibition, Cardini opened a restaurant in Tijuana, to attract American customers who wanted to elude the Prohibition restrictions. It was here, in 1924, that Cardini reputedly invented the salad, when a rush of customers depleted the kitchen supplies. He took the few ingredients left on hand, and made this new salad table-side.

The Ingredients

Romaine Lettuce It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate, which support bone health, vision, immune function, and cell growth, respectively. Romaine lettuce is also low in calories and high in dietary fiber, promoting healthy digestion and an excellent choice for a low carb, keto diet.

Artichokes have a unique nutritional profile. They are rich in dietary fiber, promoting digestive health and promoting a feeling of fullness. Artichokes contain antioxidants like quercetin and rutin, which may help reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage. They are also a good source of vitamins C and K, folate, and minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which support immune function, bone health, and overall well-being. Artichokes have also been shown to benefit liver health and may help improve cholesterol levels.

Capers are low in cholesterol and high in protein, fiber, Vitamins A and E, calcium, and iron, making them a superfood.

Parmesan Cheese is a hard, aged Italian cheese made from cow’s milk. It is a rich source of protein and calcium, which are essential for bone health, muscle function, and overall growth and development.

Anchovies (optional for the recipe) are a good source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients. These small fish are rich in heart-healthy omega-3s, which can help reduce inflammation, support cardiovascular health, and improve brain function. Anchovies are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, and iron, contributing to bone health, muscle function, and red blood cell production. Additionally, they provide a dose of selenium and other antioxidants, which may offer protection against oxidative stress and support the immune system.

Garlic Croutons (optional for the recipe) Optional, but so delicious. Homemade garlic “croutons” are so easy to make and add so much to this recipe. Start with a fresh baguette. Slice the baguette at an angle to create 1/2 inch wedges. Place these on a baking sheet and brush both sides with garlic oil. To make garlic oil, mince a clove of garlic in 2 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Bake the baguette slices in a 425° F oven for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. You will be able to smell them when they are ready to flip. (I do a lot of my cooking with my nose as my guide.)

How To Make This Easy Caesar Dressing

I call this easy caesar dressing my “Cheater’s Caesar” because instead of using a coddled egg, I use mayonnaise for the base. It couldn’t be simpler to put together, all you need to do is mix, TASTE, and drizzle or toss! I think it is important to taste this when mixing, to make sure the flavors are balanced for you. You may love garlic and want less lemon, or vice versa. You might want it lighter, or heavier on the cheese. The key ingredients are high quality mayonnaise, lemon juice, fresh garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, a touch of anchovy paste, parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Extra dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, but as with everything, fresher is better.

How To Make A Vegetarian Caesar Dressing

Making this caesar salad vegetarian couldn’t be easier! Just omit the anchovy paste from the dressing, and don’t add the optional anchovies when serving. If you are not into anchovies then you definitely won’t miss it.

How To Style This Salad

The first thing to consider when styling a salad, is the role the ingredients have in the final dish. Are there stand-alone ingredients that deserve to be given their own space, like with my Grilled Smoked Mozzarella Salad With Summer Vegetables – or do the ingredients need to be mixed together in order to blend the flavors and create a more uniform experience, like with my Avocado, Egg & Arugula Salad With Lemon Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Composed with a wedge: This Caesar Salad With Crispy Artichokes & Fried Capers actually shines any way you make it. For this version photographed, I found beautiful small heads of romaine lettuce which were perfect for serving as a wedge, topped with the dressing and ingredients.

Composed with whole leaves: The caesar salad is argued to have been created to serve with individual lettuce leaves left whole and topped with dressing. The whole leaves to be picked up with your fingers and eaten.

Tossed: This salad is also delicious when it is all tossed together, the dressing mixing with the romaine, crispy artichokes, fried capers, crunchy garlicky croutons, and parmesan cheese. I love this when using romaine hearts cut into chunks so they are crisp and crunchy.

Tips & Tricks

Here are a few things that might help:

• Start with the best romaine you can find, as the lettuce is the main ingredient, the freshest is best.
• Focus on the hearts. Using too much of the dark leafy parts of the lettuce will lose the sweet crunch that the heart has.
• Always use high quality mayonnaise like Hellman’s as the base for this easy caesar dressing.
• Top with sea salt and a grind of black pepper.
• Always use fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice.

Substitutions

Here are some suggested substitutions to make this salad a better fit for your palate, preferences, and diet. If you are looking for specific substitutions, let me know in the comments below!

• Make It More Keto-Friendly: Do not add garlic croutons,
• Make It Vegetarian: Omit the anchovy paste from the salad dressing and do not add the optional anchovies.

More Savory Salad Recipes To Try

Avocado, Egg & Arugula Salad With Lemon Balsamic Vinaigrette

Grilled Smoked Mozzarella Salad With Summer Vegetables

Classic Niçoise Salad With Crispy Smashed Potatoes & Jammy Eggs

If you make this Caesar Salad With Crispy Artichokes & Fried Capers be sure to leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. And if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see!

RECIPE: Caesar Salad With Crispy Artichokes & Fried Capers

4 SERVINGS