A classic caesar salad has always been one of my favorites. This gluten free version swaps in hearty kale for a heartier bite. The dressing is made completely from scratch with real anchovies, garlic, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, just like a traditional caesar should be.

Topped with my homemade gluten free sourdough croutons and extra parmesan, every bite has bold classic caesar flavor.

I love serving this salad alongside grilled chicken or steak, or as a hearty side with dinner. It also holds up well in the refrigerator, so it is great for meal prep.

For more easy gluten free salad ideas, check out my roundup of the Best Gluten Free Summer Salads.

If you are looking for kale recipes you might also like my Baked Kale and Zucchini Pilaf, my Gluten Free Instant Pot Sausage and Kale Soup, my Gluten Free Sausage, Kale and Potato Skillet or my Gluten Free Kale Salad with Peanut Dressing.

You can find all of my salad recipes here: Gluten Free Salad Recipes

Make It a Meal

This salad works as a side dish, but it also makes a satisfying meal with the right additions.

• Grilled chicken is my favorite addition. Slice it thin and lay it over the salad for a filling lunch or dinner.
• Grilled steak pairs beautifully with the bold caesar dressing. Slice it thin against the grain for the best texture.
• Shrimp is another great option. Try it grilled or sauteed with a little garlic and lemon.
• A soft boiled or fried egg on top adds richness and turns this into a complete meal.

What Makes This Caesar Dressing the Real Deal

Many caesar dressings skip the anchovies or replace them with ingredients like tahini or nutritional yeast. This dressing does not cut corners.

Real anchovy fillets give this dressing its signature savory depth. Mayonnaise creates a rich and creamy base, while Parmigiano-Reggiano adds salty, nutty flavor.

Gluten free Worcestershire sauce rounds out the flavor with a touch of tang. Together these ingredients create a dressing that tastes like a classic caesar, not a substitute.

How to Massage the Kale

Raw kale can be tough and a little bitter straight from the bunch. Massaging the kale before serving softens the leaves and mellows the flavor.

After removing the stems and chopping the kale, place it in a large bowl. Drizzle on a small amount of the caesar dressing.

Use your hands to massage it into the leaves for about two minutes. You will notice the kale start to soften and turn a darker green. Once the kale is softened, add the rest of the dressing and toss to coat.

Storage

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Kale is sturdy, so it holds up well even after the dressing has been added. Store any extra croutons separately in an airtight container at room temperature so they stay crisp. If you made extra caesar dressing, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Supplies

If you make this Gluten Free Kale Caesar Salad, I would love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out, or tag me on Instagram so I can see your salad.

This is one of those recipes you will want to make again and again, so save it to your favorite Pinterest board so you always have it ready for your next side dish or meal!

Ingredients

Kale
Parmesan Cheese
Gluten Free Caesar Dressing
Gluten Free Sourdough Croutons

Instructions

If you are going to include Gluten Free Sourdough Croutons on your salad be sure to make them the day before so they have time to cool completely.

Prepare your gluten free caesar dressing using my recipe.

Remove the coarse stems from your kale. The stems are bitter and need to be removed.

Coarsely chop the kale leaves and place in a large bowl. Pour your desired amount of gluten free caesar dressing over the kale leaves. Toss to thoroughly coat the kale leaves.

Top the salad with gluten free sourdough croutons and 2 tablespoons of finely grated parmesan cheese.

Place the salad in the refrigerator to chill and serve cold. 

If you have leftover salad you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the croutons separately so they don't get soggy.

If you are eating gluten free you already know that salad dressings are one of the trickiest places gluten hides. So many store bought caesar dressings contain ingredients that are not gluten free, which means making your own from scratch is really the safest and most delicious option. This homemade gluten free caesar dressing comes together in just 10 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand and it is so much better than anything you can buy at the store.

Rich, creamy, tangy, and packed with bold classic caesar flavor without any raw eggs.

The secret to this dressing is the anchovy fillets. I know that sounds intimidating but they completely blend into the dressing and you would never know they are there. They add a deep savory richness that gives this caesar dressing its signature bold flavor without any fishiness.

Combined with mayonnaise, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, gluten free Worcestershire sauce, and finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano this dressing is absolutely incredible on a classic romaine caesar salad, a gluten free kale caesar salad, as a dipping sauce for vegetables, and so much more. Once you make homemade gluten free caesar dressing you will never reach for a bottle again.

You can find all my salad recipes here: Gluten Free Salad Recipes

Ingredients

Mayonnaise
Minced Garlic
Anchovy Fillets
Lemon Juice
Dijon Mustard
Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Sea Salt
Coarse Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

In a glass jar (I like to use leftover mayonnaise jars or wide mouth canning jars) place the mayonnaise, garlic, anchovy fillets, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, gluten free Worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Using an emersion blender, blend the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy.

If you don't have an emersion blender you can also make this dressing in a food processor.

Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Supplies

If you make this Gluten Free Caesar Dressing I would love to hear what you think! Leave a star rating and a comment below and let me know what you served it with.

Don't forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest boards so you can find it again every time a caesar salad craving hits!

Storage

Store this gluten free caesar dressing in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to one week. A wide mouth canning jar or a leftover mayonnaise jar works perfectly for storing and shaking the dressing before use. Give the jar a good shake or stir before each use as the dressing may separate slightly as it sits. Do not freeze this dressing as the mayonnaise base will separate and the texture will not recover once thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions