Tex-Mex Casear Salad

Tex-Mex Caesar Salad is a sassy spin on a classic Caesar salad. Made with fresh romaine lettuce, spiced croutons, Cotjita cheese, and a tangy, homemade Caesar dressing. This salad is great as a side or main course! 

Let’s make salads hip again. 

Our household eats this Grilled Romaine Salad at least once a week. Whether as a side dish or by tossing some cooked protein on top as a hearty main course. 

But like any family we like to mix it up when it comes to eating leafy greens. One of the easiest ways to add flavor to a salad is with the toppings or dressing itself. A flavorful profile that we feature a lot is Tex-Mex. You’ll find recipes like: Tex-Mex Zucchini Lasagna, Tex-Mex Smoked Brats, Tex-Mex Egg & Hashbrown Casserole, and now this Tex-Mex Caesar Salad. 

A few simple additions like spiced croutons, crumbled Cotija cheese, and a homemade dressing really kicks your weeknight salad game up a notch. Plus, it’s easy to meal prep ahead of time and assemble quickly during the week for easier eats. 

Tex-Mex Caesar Salad Ingredients

This Tex-Mex version salad is made with a few basic ingredients. Spoiler alert: there are no anchovy paste in this recipe. Why? For this version I wanted to keep the twist on the salad a top priority. Plus, I wanted to highlight all the spices mixed into the croutons. If you want to add anchovy in, please do. Just keep in mind that you will need to balance the seasoning level. 

• Croutons – I LOVE Texas Toast croutons!! You can certainly make homemade croutons
• Ground cumin and paprika –  these spices will add warmth to those buttery croutons
• Egg yolk – I know, but it’s the base that holds this entire salad together
• Garlic clove – flavor baby!!
• Dijon mustard – add the beautiful tangy touch
• Worcestershire sauce – creates that little something, something in the dressing
• Lemon juice – helps brighten the dressing
• Extra-Virgin Olive oil – base of the dressing 
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste
• Romaine lettuce – traditional lettuce used to make caesar salad
• Crumbled Cotija cheese – aged Mexican cheese that is salty and milky in flavor

How to Make this Tex-Mex Caesar Salad

One of the great things about this salad is that you only need a handful of ingredients to make it. Lettuce, croutons, and some items from the pantry to make the dressing. You can literally dress this salad up or down! 

• Make the dressing first. In a small mixing bowl combine the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and kosher salt & black pepper. 
• Whisk the dressing vigorously until everything is well incorporated. You could also prepare this dressing in a food processor. 
• Next, place croutons in a large Ziploc bag. Add the cumin and paprika. Shake it up until the croutons are covered and then using a rolling pin smash the croutons until almost breadcrumbs. 
• Start assembling the salad in a large bowl. Add the chopped Romaine lettuce, crushed croutons, Cotija cheese, and more cheese. 
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss until it is mixed and well coated. 
• If you want please feel free to add grilled chicken or salmon to this salad. 

How to Store this Salad

This salad is best the day it’s made, but you can prep a lot of the ingredients in advance. 

• You can make the dressing ahead of time. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• The croutons will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to one week
• You can wash the Romaine lettuce, dry it thoroughly, and wrap it in a dry paper towel for up to one week.

More Tex-Mex Recipes to Enjoy: 

• Tex-Mex Zucchini Lasagna 
• Tex-Mex Smoked Brats
• Tex-Mex Egg & Hashbrown Casserole

In conclusion, the Tex-Mex Caesar Salad brings together the bold and vibrant flavors of the Southwest with the timeless appeal of a classic Caesar. It’s a delightful fusion that promises a satisfying and unforgettable dining experience. Enjoy the taste sensation!