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    Avocado Caesar Salad

    March 5, 2015 by Denise Bustard 27 Comments

    Home / Recipes / Salad / Avocado Caesar Salad

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    Attention avocado lovers! You need this avocado caesar salad in your life: with an umami-packed creamy avocado caesar dressing that goes perfectly with crispy bacon, crunchy romaine, croutons and parmesan cheese.

    Caesar salad is a total guilty pleasure of mine: I love the salty, tangy flavors, the crunchy romaine and croutons. For a healthier version, check out this kale caesar salad with crispy chickpeas or this healthy caesar salad dressing.

    overhead shot of a bowl of avocado caesar salad

    For an amazingly delicious (and indulgent) twist? This avocado caesar salad is where it's at.

    With a creamy, luscious, flavor-bomb of an avocado caesar salad dressing that ditches the eggs (or mayo), crispy bacon and all the classic caesar salad ingredients, this is one salad remix you are going to absolutely love.

    Reasons you'll ♡ avocado caesar salad

    • it's egg and mayo-free as well as gluten-free friendly
    • it's ready in under 30 minutes
    • with creamy avocado dressing, crispy bacon and crunchy romaine, it might just be better than the classic caesar salad!

    overhead view of food processor with avocado caesar salad dressing ingredients

    Avocado caesar dressing

    For this recipe, you will need a food processor (here’s my favorite one). You may be alright to use a high powered blender, but I have not tried.

    To prepare the dressing, add a ripe avocado, lemon juice, olive oil, anchovy paste, parmesan cheese, dijon mustard and a clove of garlic. Blend until smooth and no lumps remain. If needed, scrape down the sides of the food processor several times to get all ingredients blended properly.

    Salad ingredients

    We are going pretty classic for our caesar salad, with the addition of a cubed ripe avocado.

    • Romaine lettuce- chop, wash, then dry thoroughly. I highly recommend investing in a salad spinner to do this.
    • Croutons- go for a classic crouton, or gluten-free if necessary. You can prep your own croutons using this tutorial
    • Bacon- adds a crispy salty bite of bacon to this salad. I love to bake bacon in the oven, it's so easy and always crispy.
    • Parmesan cheese- go for fresh grated parmesan and avoid the scary shelf-stable stuff
    • Cubed Avocado- adds a creamy texture to the salad and compliments the dressing. See how to cut an avocado

    overhead view of food processor containing avocado caesar salad dressing after blending

    Variations

    • Swap the romaine for kale (give it a massage first to remove bitterness)
    • Add some cooked chicken and make it a whole meal
    • Add some quartered hard boiled eggs or serve with a poached egg
    • Add pasta to make it a pasta salad (you may need to increase the dressing)

    Recipe tips

    • once dressed, this salad must be served right away
    • romaine can be washed, chopped and dried ahead. Store in an air tight container lined with a paper towel for up to 4 days.
    • bacon may be cooked, cooled and chopped ahead. Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
    • caesar dressing may be prepared ahead and stored in an air tight jar in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

    close up shot of croutons, bacon and avocado cubes in the avocado caesar salad

    More tasty salad dressings

    • Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
    • Green Goddess Dressing
    • Classic Greek Salad Dressing
    • 5 Minute Asian Sesame Dressing
    • Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing

    Recipe video

    Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped this avocado caesar salad dressing. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook.

    overhead shot of avocado caesar salad in white bowl
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Avocado Caesar Salad Dressing

    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Italian
    Calories: 200kcal
    Author: Denise Bustard
    Servings: 8
    Attention avocado lovers! You need this avocado caesar salad in your life: with an umami-packed creamy avocado caesar dressing that goes perfectly with crispy bacon, crunchy romaine, croutons and parmesan cheese.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Total Time20 mins

    Ingredients

    Dressing:

    • 1 avocado (ripe)
    • 1 lemon (juiced)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 teaspoon anchovy paste
    • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 clove garlic

    Salad

    • 1 head romaine lettuce (washed and torn into bite-sized pieces)
    • 4 slices bacon (cooked, cooled, and cut into pieces)
    • 1 avocado (cut into small cubes)
    • 1 cup croutons
    • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (finely grated)

    Instructions

    Avocado Caesar Salad Dressing:

    • In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, combine all dressing ingredients.
    • Blend for 30 seconds on high.
    • Scrape down the sides with a spatula and blend for another 30 seconds - 1 minute, until dressing is creamy (as pictured above).

    Avocado Caesar Salad

    • Wash and dry lettuce, and tear into bite-sized pieces.
    • Toss the lettuce with the dressing until completely coated and evenly distributed.
    • Serve with the bacon, avocado, croutons, and additional Parmesan cheese.

    Notes

    Storage
    This salad does not keep well once dressed, however the individual components may be cooked ahead and stored in the fridge:
    • romaine may be washed, chopped and stored in an air tight container with a paper towel for up to 4 days
    • avocado caesar dressing can be prepped up to 48 hours ahead
    • bacon can be cooked, cooled, chopped and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week ahead
    Variations
    • Swap the romaine for kale (give it a massage first to remove bitterness)
    • Add some cooked chicken and make it a whole meal
    • Add some quartered hard boiled eggs or serve with a poached egg
    • Add pasta to make it a pasta salad (you may need to increase the dressing)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/8 of the batch | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 208mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6908IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @SweetPeaSaffron or tag #sweetpeasandsaffron

    About Denise Bustard

    Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more. read more

    Previous Post: « Carrot Cake Waffle Bites
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    Comments

    1. swathi

      March 11, 2015 at 6:06 pm

      Delicious salad with avocado, Love to try it, Pinning.

      Reply
    2. Danielle

      March 10, 2015 at 8:18 pm

      Ok I'm obsessed with this salad and that dressing! This is just genius! I'm adding this to my list of recipes to try, plus I'll find any reason to eat avocados. Thanks for linking back to my chicken salad too, that made my day 🙂

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 10, 2015 at 9:31 pm

        Your chicken salad sandwich totally inspired this recipe, Danielle! Now I'm wondering how else to use avocado...the possibilities are endless 😉

        Reply
    3. Izzy

      March 09, 2015 at 11:34 pm

      I love crazy salad lady 🙂 I feel like I've been being one lately too! I also love avocado and how you can use it in so many dishes! I just made some cookies using avocado that are surprisingly good! That dressing sounds like the type of dressing I would pour over everything!!

      Reply
    4. Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel

      March 09, 2015 at 9:53 pm

      This is such a great idea! I bet the avocado makes the dressing SO creamy. Even though I've made homemade Caesar with raw eggs before, I know it creeps some people out, so this is such a perfect alternative! Love!

      Reply
    5. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic

      March 09, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you wonderful crazy salad lady for another wonderful salad!!!

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 09, 2015 at 9:40 pm

        Ha ha, anytime, Kathy 🙂

        Reply
    6. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter

      March 08, 2015 at 5:33 am

      This salad looks amazing, Denise! I love that you used avocado in the dressing, such a great idea! I adore avocados so I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
    7. Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor

      March 06, 2015 at 9:19 pm

      Caesar salad is a classic favorite. I love adding avocados to anything and everything! The dressing sounds amazing!

      Reply
    8. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life

      March 06, 2015 at 9:15 pm

      Yessss yes yes. I'm a little finicky with eggs/mayo, so the fact that this delish salad is made with avocado is music to my ears! Plus parmesan and bacon... <3

      Reply
    9. Helen @ Scrummy Lane

      March 06, 2015 at 5:54 pm

      If I had to eat one meal and one meal only for a very long time, I may well choose something like this! Mmm ... I can taste it now. I especially love that there's a double dose of avocado in there!

      Reply
    10. katie

      March 06, 2015 at 3:05 pm

      5 stars
      ah! I love avocados! This salad looks so fresh and Spring-like. Love it. And you're right about avocados, they are so creamy and rich you really don't need anything else. Pinning 🙂

      Reply
    11. marcie

      March 06, 2015 at 10:53 am

      I agree completely -- I normally like lettuce with more nutrition but Caesars are all about romaine! And adding salty bacon and parmesan is even better. Very creative making an avocado dressing for this! Pinned.

      Reply
    12. April @ Girl Gone Gourmet

      March 06, 2015 at 6:31 am

      Yay! A new way to use avocado! And the anchovy paste... sounds very interesting, have to admit I've avoided anchovies my whole life, but I may need to rethink it 🙂

      Reply
    13. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

      March 05, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      I love how creative this salad is, Denise! Such a great idea to add in avocados for creaminess! I'm obsessed with them, so this salad is right up my alley! Delish!

      Reply
    14. Lynn | The Road to Honey

      March 05, 2015 at 5:41 pm

      Hey. . .it's A-Okay to be a crazy salad lady. There are worse things that we could be eating. I love a good Caesar salad and I love that you are making the dressing healthier with those avocados.

      Reply
    15. Denise

      March 05, 2015 at 3:02 pm

      Thanks, Cailee! Avocados are definitely versatile!

      Reply
    16. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen

      March 05, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      I love a good caesar salad and adding a double dose of avocado just ups the yum factor, Denise. I'll have to think of a swap for the bacon…maybe crispy tofu would be good.

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 05, 2015 at 2:59 pm

        Thanks, Geraldine! I'm not sure what a vegetarian anchovy paste substitute would be...let me know if you know the answer!

        Reply
    17. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely

      March 05, 2015 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      I love that you used avocado in the dressing! That is so smart. Don't you just love avocados? I buy a big bag of them at costco every week and keep them in my fridge. I have ripe and ready avocados at all times : )

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 05, 2015 at 3:01 pm

        I love avocados!!!! My problem is by the time they ripen I forget about them and then they go mushy. At least this dressing can use up the mushy ones 🙂

        Reply
    18. Annie @Maebells

      March 05, 2015 at 11:39 am

      You are officially my hero! I love avocado and I love caesar salad, but I have never but them together before! I am making this pronto!

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 05, 2015 at 3:01 pm

        Thanks, Annie! I wondered if I was crazy thinking these flavors would go together, but they really did! Hope you like it!

        Reply
    19. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

      March 05, 2015 at 7:06 am

      Avocado caesar dressing...my mind is blown. What a wonderful idea, Denise. I'm a huge salad-lover myself. Romaine is my go-to, but I'm all about arugula and spinach as well.

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 05, 2015 at 3:03 pm

        Thanks, Erin! I haven't eaten that much arugula, but I will have to give it a try this spring...nice and fresh and peppery!

        Reply
    20. [email protected] Whole and Heavenly Oven

      March 05, 2015 at 6:50 am

      Denise, this salad is just BEYOND gorgeous, girl! I am pretty much flipping out over the fact that you used avocados instead of mayo in the dressing. Um, prettiest AND healthiest caesar salad ever right here! Pinned. 🙂

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 05, 2015 at 3:03 pm

        Thanks so much, Sarah! And thanks for pinning!

        Reply

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