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    Home » Salad Recipes » Keto Caesar Salad

    Keto Caesar Salad

    Published: May 21, 2020 by Wendy Polisi Modified: May 22, 2020 · 995 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Two photos of a salad in a white bowl with the text in the middle that says Keto Caesar Salad.

    This Keto Caesar Salad is what I make when I want serious flavors and don't have much time. I like to prep the dressing and chicken on the weekend so that I can have dinner on the table in about 10 minutes. Sometimes, when I am craving extra crunch, I will sprinkle on some pumpkin seeds. This recipe is filling and light at the same time!

    Photo of Keto Caesar Salad in a white bowl sitting on a white and red napkin with lemons next to it.

    The Perfect Keto Caesar Salad!

    I love a good salad.

    There are so many ways you can make them, and for the most part, I love them all.

    When I was growing up, my deep love of all things salad had not yet developed. In particular, Caesar Salads were not a favorite of mine.

    I never understood why I big pile of romaine lettuce drizzled in dressing was such a restaurant classic.

    As an adult, I understand - it is the way everything blends. The combination of crisp romaine, Parmesan, and creamy dressing is utterly satisfying.

    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

    I might have learned to love Caesar salad dressing earlier in life, but my Dad (who hates fish) told me that there was fish in the dressing and the idea just seemed gross.

    The idea still freaks me out a bit.

    (This is one reason I've used anchovy sparingly, and opted for paste rather than having to look at the filets)

    When I was in my early 20's, I finally tried Caesar salad, and then I realized what I'd been missing.

    Love at first bite!

    When I went keto, I knew I had to find a way to make one of my favorite salads work with the diet.

    In truth, sans the croutons, most recipes are fairly keto-friendly.

    (Though always read the labels when buying dressing!)

    But you can't have a good salad without the crunch. AmIRight?

    And that is where these delicious cheese crisps come in.

    I think you will agree - they make a nice low carb alternative.

    Variations for This Recipe:

    • Although not a traditional componet, avocado, and cherry tomatoes are nice additions to this recipe.
    • Another non-traditional addition is hardball eggs and grilled red onions.
    • Serve with grilled steak, shrimp, or salmon instead of chicken.
    • Use Kale instead of romaine lettuce.

    Is Caesar Salad Keto? Is Caesar Salad Dressing Keto?

    Traditional Caesar Salads contain croutons, which are not keto-friendly. Most, but not all, Caesar Salad Dressings will be keto-friendly. In this low carb Caesar Salad recipe, we substitute cheese crisps for the croutons and use a homemade dressing.

    How Many Net Carbs are in Caesar Salad?

    The calories contained in Caesar salad can vary wildly by the recipe and size. As an example, Panera Bread Caesar salad with Chicken has 17 grams of carbohydrates, while Chili’s main course Caesar has 53 grams. This recipe has just 1 net carb.

    Can You Make Low Carb Caesar Salad Ahead of Time?

    The components of this recipe can be made up to four days ahead of time. I recommend storing them separately and tossing just before serving.

    How to Make Keto Caesar Salad:

    First, make the crispy cheese “croutons”.  To do this preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a small bowl, combine Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.  

    Photo of Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.

    Next, using a tablespoon measure, place the mixture on a prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.  Flatten with the back of a fork.  Bake for 9 minutes, until golden brown.  Allow to cool and then remove from the pan.

    Photo of Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in small circles on a baking sheet.

    Next, chop the romaine lettuce. Place in a bowl and top with salad dressing. Finally, add “croutons”, sliced chicken, and Parmesan.  Serve immediately.

    Other Must-Try Recipes:

    • Prepare to swoon over this Low Carb Cobb Salad. As far as salads go, a Cobb Salad is kind of indulgent, but this version fits in perfectly with a keto diet.
    • Looking for a fast and easy salad recipe that is perfect for meal prep? This Keto Taco Salad is a winner.
    • Keto Grilled Chicken is my go-to chicken recipe! This tender, juicy chicken works perfectly in this Caesar Salad!
    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.
    Photo of a Low Carb Caesar Salad in a white bowl with two lemons and a jar of homemade caesar dressing sitting behind it.
    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.

    I am a big believer that the dressing makes a salad, so make sure you check out my Keto Caesar Dressing. You can skip the anchovy paste, but I think you will love the deep saltiness it lends to the salad. If you are pushed for time, you can certainly buy a keto-friendly salad dressing.

    Photo of a Low Carb Caesar Salad in a white bowl with two lemons and a jar of homemade caesar dressing sitting behind it.
    Print Recipe

    Keto Caesar Salad

    This Keto Caesar Salad is what I make when I want serious flavors and don't have much time. I like to prep the dressing and chicken on the weekend so that I can have dinner on the table in about 10 minutes.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: caesar
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 249kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

    Ingredients

    Crispy Cheese “Croutons”

    • 3 ounces fresh grated Parmesan Cheese
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Salad

    • 3 heads romaine lettuce hearts
    • ¾ cup Keto Caesar Dressing or store-bought
    • 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese
    • 16 ounces Keto Grilled Chicken sliced

    Instructions

    Croutons

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • In a small bowl combine Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
    • Use a tablespoon measure, place Parmesan on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten with a the back of a fork.
    • Bake for about 9 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan.

    Salad

    • Chop the romaine lettuce.
    • Place in a bowl and toss with the salad dressing.
    • Add “croutons” and sliced chicken.
    • Sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.

    Notes

    Please note that nutritional information does not include dressing to allow you to adjust for the actual dressing and amount you use.
     
    Variations:
    • Although not a traditional addition to Caesar salad, avocado, and cherry tomatoes are nice additions to this recipe.
    • Another non-traditional addition is hardball eggs and grilled red onions.
    • Serve with grilled steak instead of chicken.
    • Use Kale instead of romaine lettuce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 583mg | Potassium: 509mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2090IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 343mg | Iron: 1mg

    Try These Low Carb Salad Recipes:

    • Eggplant Caprese Salad from Eat Drink Paleo
    • Marinated Zucchini Salad from Kayln's Kitchen
    • Avocado Egg Salad from Diethood

    This recipe was originally posted August 2, 2019. It was updated May 21, 2020.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kalyn Denny

      August 02, 2019 at 11:33 am

      Looks good! Thanks for the shout-out for my Marinated Zucchini Salad!

      Reply

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    Welcome

    I'm Wendy and I'm here to show you just how delicious a low carb, gluten free and keto diet can be! You are just as likely to find me obsessing over all things cheesy as you are getting excited by a full produce drawer. I'm a mom to three, obsessive planner and roller coasters are my happy place. Let's dig deeper →

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