Cucumber Caesar Salad: A Refreshing Twist on a Classic Recipe
This Cucumber Caesar Salad offers a refreshing and light twist on the classic Caesar, combining crisp, thinly sliced English cucumber with a creamy, tangy Caesar dressing made from mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. It’s perfect as a quick appetizer or a side dish, and can be enhanced with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cucumber
- 1 large English cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
- 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
Salad Toppings
- 1/4 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional: Grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein
Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumber: Peel the cucumber and slice it thinly about 1/8 inch thick. Pat the slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Alternatively, lightly salt the cucumber slices and let them sit in a colander for 15-20 minutes, then rinse and pat dry before proceeding.
- Make the Caesar Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until the mixture is smooth.
- Add Garlic and Parmesan: Stir in the minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese to the dressing bowl.
- Season the Dressing: Add freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed after tasting.
- Combine Dressing: Whisk all ingredients until the dressing is smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a teaspoon or two of water to reach desired consistency.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, gently toss the thin cucumber slices with the prepared Caesar dressing until well coated.
- Add Croutons: Just before serving, add croutons to the salad and gently toss to combine.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or plates. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, top with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the salad fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Salting cucumbers before assembling helps reduce excess moisture and prevents a watery salad.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright flavor in the dressing.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, though the texture and taste will be different.
- Croutons add a satisfying crunch; homemade croutons can be made by toasting cubed bread with olive oil and garlic.
- Adding grilled chicken or shrimp turns this salad into a light, protein-rich meal.
Keywords: Cucumber Caesar Salad, refreshing salad, easy Caesar dressing, cucumber salad, no-cook salad
