Description
A refreshing and creamy Cucumber Caesar Salad featuring thinly sliced English cucumbers tossed in a homemade Caesar dressing with Parmesan cheese and crunchy croutons. This quick, no-cook salad serves as a perfect light appetizer or side dish, with optional grilled chicken or shrimp to add protein.
Ingredients
Scale
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 smooth texture for the salad.
- Slice the cucumber: Cut the peeled cucumber into thin slices about 1/8 inch thick for a crisp yet tender bite.
- Remove excess moisture (optional): To prevent the salad from becoming watery, pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels or lightly salt them, then rinse and dry again.
- Prepare the dressing base: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth and well combined.
- Add flavorings: Stir in the minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese to enrich the dressing with savory, creamy notes.
- Season the dressing: Add freshly ground black pepper and salt, adjusting the quantities according to your taste preferences.
- Adjust consistency: Whisk the dressing thoroughly; add a small amount of water if needed to reach your desired thickness.
- Toss cucumber with dressing: Place the cucumber slices in a large bowl and gently toss them with the dressing until evenly coated without bruising the cucumber.
- Add croutons: Just before serving, sprinkle the croutons over the salad and toss gently to incorporate some crunch.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper on top, and serve immediately for optimal freshness.
Notes
- For extra protein, top the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Use full-fat mayonnaise for a richer dressing.
- If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Homemade croutons add a great texture contrast and flavor.
- This salad is best served immediately to maintain cucumber crunch and dressing freshness.
