Save Last summer, my air conditioner broke during the worst heatwave, and I somehow found myself craving Caesar salad but absolutely could not bear the thought of heavy, wilted romaine. I grabbed a cucumber from the fridge, sliced it into ribbons, and tossed it with my usual dressing. The cool, crisp crunch against that creamy dressing was such a revelation that I have not looked back since.
I served this at a backyard barbecue last month, and my friend Sarah who claims to hate Caesar salad went back for thirds. She kept asking what I did differently, and when I told her it was just cucumber instead of lettuce, her jaw actually dropped. Sometimes the simplest swaps are the ones that surprise people the most.
Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber: English cucumbers have thinner skins and fewer seeds, plus they stay crisper longer than regular ones
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise: Fullfat really does make a difference here for that luxurious mouthfeel
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated melts into the dressing better than the pre shredded stuff
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice: Bottled juice works but fresh makes the whole dressing sing
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard: This adds that subtle sharpness that cuts through the rich mayo
- 1 clove garlic, minced: Fresh garlic is nonnegotiable for that classic Caesar bite
- 1/4 cup croutons: Homemade are obviously better but lets be real, sometimes storebought is fine
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce: The secret ingredient that gives depth and umami
Instructions
- Prep your cucumber properly:
- Peel the cucumber completely or create pretty stripes with a vegetable peeler, then slice into thin rounds about 1/8 inch thick. If you have time, sprinkle the slices with salt and let them sit in a colander for 15 to 20 minutes to draw out excess water, then rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
- Whisk up the dressing:
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until completely smooth and creamy, adding a teaspoon or two of water if it seems too thick to coat easily.
- Bring it all together:
- Gently toss the cucumber slices with just enough dressing to coat them evenly in a large bowl. Add any optional extras like cherry tomatoes, red onion, or avocado now if you are using them.
- Finish with the crunch:
- Add the croutons last so they stay crisp, give everything one final gentle toss, and transfer to a serving bowl. Top with extra Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper, then serve immediately while everything is still cold and crunchy.
Save This recipe became my go-to side dish for dinner parties because I can make everything ahead of time and just toss it together right before serving. There is something so satisfying about serving something that looks elegant but required basically zero effort.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of this salad is how easily it adapts to whatever you have on hand. Sometimes I add halved cherry tomatoes for bursts of sweetness, or thin slices of red onion for extra bite. Grilled chicken or shrimp turn it into a proper meal, and a handful of fresh dill or parsley makes it feel fancy.
Homemade Croutons Matter
Storebought croutons are fine, but taking ten minutes to make your own is a total game changer. Just toss cubed bread with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then bake at 375°F for about 12 minutes, turning once. They stay crunchier longer and taste infinitely better than anything from a bag.
Make It Ahead
You can prep the cucumbers and dressing separately up to a day in advance, which makes this perfect for meal prep or entertaining. The dressing actually develops more flavor overnight, and the cucumbers stay crisp as long as you store them undressed and wrapped in the fridge.
- Keep the dressing in a sealed jar and give it a good shake before using
- Pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels if they have been sitting
- Never dress the salad more than an hour before serving or it will get watery
Save This is the kind of recipe that makes you feel clever for discovering it, and even better when you share it with someone who has never thought to pair Caesar with cucumber.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I make the dressing ahead?
Yes, prepare the creamy Parmesan dressing up to 5 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- → How do I keep cucumber slices crunchy?
Sprinkle sliced cucumber with salt and let drain in a colander for 15-20 minutes, then rinse and pat dry before tossing with dressing.
- → What protein additions work well?
Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas pair perfectly with the tangy Caesar flavors and crisp cucumber base.
- → Is this suitable for meal prep?
Store dressing and prepared cucumber separately, then combine just before serving to maintain optimal crunch and texture.
- → Can I make this vegan?
Use vegan mayonnaise, nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan, and omit Worcestershire sauce for a plant-based version.
- → What other vegetables can I add?
Cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, diced avocado, or fresh herbs like dill and parsley all complement the Caesar flavors beautifully.