Copycat El Torito's Mexican Caesar Salad Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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A bed of crisp romaine and crunchy fried tortillas is the perfect way to let the roasted chile, pepita, and cilantro salad dressing shine.

Copycat El Torito's Mexican Caesar Salad Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

under 30 minutes

8 reviews
1 comment


ingredients


Cilantro Pepita Dressing

2 medium Anaheim chiles, roasted, peeled and seeded
1/3 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
12 ounces salad oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
5 tablespoons grated Cotija cheese (see note)
2 small bunches cilantro, stemmed
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup water

Salad

2 corn tortillas
vegetable oil
1 large head romaine lettuce, rinsed and spun dry
1/3 cup finely grated Cotija cheese
roasted red bell pepper, peeled and cut into julienne strips
1/2 cup pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)

directions

Place all dressing ingredients except cilantro, mayonnaise and water in a blender of food processor. Blend approximately 10 seconds, and then add cilantro little by little until blended smooth. Depending on size of blender, it may be necessary to do in batches.

Place mayonnaise and water in a large stainless steel bowl, and mix with a wire whip until smooth. Add the blended ingredients to the mayonnaise mixture, and mix thoroughly. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate. Will keep for three days. Yields 1 quart.

To assemble salad: Cut corn tortillas into matchstick-size strips. Heat oil in saute pan; fry tortilla strips until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. Set aside. Tear romaine into bite-size pieces. Place greens on salad plates and ladle approximately 2 ounces of cilantro pepita dressing on each salad.

Sprinkle each dish with Cotija cheese and tortilla strips. Arrange four red pepper strips like spokes on the top of each salad, and garnish with whole pepitas.

cook's notes

Cotija cheese is a hard cheese, similar to Parmesan. It is available at some grocery stores and most Mexican markets.

added by

Liv

recipe tips


Make sure the romaine lettuce is dry after washing to keep the salad from being watery.

You can fry the tortilla strips in advance and when cool, store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Garnish the salad right before serving to keep the toppings fresh.

The dressing can be adjusted according to taste, adding more or less cilantro, cheese, or vinegar.

Try adding additional toppings like avocado slices, red onion, or cherry tomatoes.

For a creamier dressing, adjust the amount of mayonnaise as needed.

common recipe questions


Can I use a different type of chile if I can't find Anaheim chiles?

Yes, you can substitute with bell peppers, poblano peppers, New Mexican chiles, or cubanelle peppers.

What can I use instead of Cotija cheese?

Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese can be used as a substitute.

Is it necessary to roast the pepitas?

Roasting will enhance the flavor, but you can use them raw if preferred.

Can I make the dressing without a blender or food processor?

A blender or food processor is best to chop up the pepitas, but you can finely chop them with a knife and whisk the ingredients together.

How do I roast the Anaheim chiles?

Char them over an open flame or under a broiler, then place in a plastic bag for a few minutes to steam, making the skin easier to peel off.

Can I prepare the dressing in advance?

Yes, it can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Is there a substitute for red wine vinegar?

You can use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as alternatives.

What type of oil is recommended for the dressing?

A neutral-tasting oil like vegetable or canola oil is best.

Can I add protein to this salad?

Grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak would make great toppings for this salad.


nutrition data for el torito's mexican caesar salad

561 calories, 51 grams fat, 21 grams carbohydrates, 12 grams protein per serving.



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reviews & comments for el torito's mexican caesar salad

  1. Mitch REVIEW:
    June 5, 2020

    Been making this for years and everyone Loves it !!

  2. Ellen REVIEW:
    April 13, 2020

    I made this according to the instructions and it did not turn out anything like the restaurants.( Way to oily)

  3. Colorado Mountain Mama REVIEW:
    June 18, 2015

    This recipe is simply amazing! It is just like having the restaurant's signature salad.The bottled version, not widely distributed outside of California, does not even come close. This is rich and garlicy. I often serve this for company with a freshly grilled chicken breast, finely sliced with my electric knife and splayed over the top of the salad. It always receives rave reviews! It is worth the effort!

  4. Sekatt REVIEW:
    September 13, 2013

    This is a fantastic salad. I especially love the creamy and spicy blend of the dressing along with the sprinkle of tortilla chips and 'pepitos'! I brought it to a potluck and it was loved by all!

  5. pawpaw REVIEW:
    July 3, 2013

    This recipe turned out fantastic! My wife made the salad part while I put together the dressing.

  6. Vicky REVIEW:
    June 13, 2011

    So delicious!!! My guests loved it! I actually didn't use the mayo- and the water it turned out Amazing-!!

  7. Heather REVIEW:
    December 14, 2007

    This salad is fantastic! You can buy the dressing already prepared in the grocery store or Smart & Final, then just follow the rest of the directions... ALWAYS a hit!!!

  8. Guest Foodie March 12, 2006

    Very good salad dressing. I substituted sunflower seeds for the pumpkin seeds (for convenience). It is my new favorite salad!!!

  9. cook from Boston REVIEW:
    February 6, 2006

    This recipe is awesome. I have served it at several parties and brought it to potlucks and am always asked for the recipe.

Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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Copycat El Torito's Mexican Caesar Salad Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

What were the ingredients of the Caesar salad? ›

We all know what it is: chopped romaine lettuce and garlicky croutons, tossed in a creamy dressing made with eggs, olive oil, lemon, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovies. Even when mass-produced, this combination of savory, creamy, tangy, and crunchy ingredients is tasty stuff.

Why is Caesar salad so good? ›

Caesar dressing is intensely flavored. It has to be because it delivers just about all of the flavor you find in a Caesar salad. Garlic, lemon, olive oil, Worcestershire, anchovy, black pepper, and parmesan is a combination that's proven to be a winner. It's a power punch of flavors that people love.

Was the Caesar salad invented in Tijuana? ›

Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. He moved to Tijuana from California to avoid Prohibition, and it was here, on July 4th, 1924, where Caesar is believed to have invented the Caesar Salad.

Is Caesar dressing made from mayo? ›

Ingredients
  1. 6 cloves garlic, peeled, divided.
  2. ¾ cup mayonnaise.
  3. 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided.
  4. 5 anchovy fillets, minced.
  5. 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or more to taste.
  6. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
  7. 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
  8. salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Apr 7, 2023

Which ingredient is not commonly found in a Caesar salad? ›

The ingredient typically not found in a classic Caesar salad is Iceberg lettuce. A traditional Caesar salad, made primarily of romaine lettuce, doesn't include iceberg lettuce. It may vary in different recipes.

What kind of lettuce is Caesar salad made of? ›

A Caesar salad is a type of salad that typically consists of romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a dressing made from garlic, anchovies, egg yolks, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, and black pepper.

Why do restaurant caesars taste better? ›

In some restaurants, chefs season every salad ingredient separately to add depth and layers of taste and texture, and they deliberately choose ingredients that balance each other out. So, sweet is added to temper saltiness, and a bit of tartness is added to plain flavors.

Why does restaurant Caesar salad taste better? ›

Restaurants understand balance.

Chefs balance flavors and textures in salads with a mix of cooked and raw ingredients, proteins, grains, veggies, fruits, herbs, and dressing, Herpin said. Think about all of these components (as well as color!) to make the perfect bowl.

Is Caesar salad healthier than regular salad? ›

When you're choosing your bowl of greens this summer, you should know that three types contain more calories, sodium and fat than you may want, one dietitian says. So, if you want to eat the healthiest salads possible, steer clear of taco salads, chef salads and Caesar salads.

Which items in the original Caesar salad are not included in today's version of Caesar salad? ›

As recounted by Rosa, the original version of the Caesar salad did not include anchovies as an ingredient. Her father was adamant about anchovies not being added to his creation so he used a dash of Worcestershire sauce to provide a hint of anchovy. However, modern recipes typically list anchovies as a key ingredient.

What restaurant invented the Caesar salad? ›

Caesar's is a restaurant on Avenida Revolución in Tijuana, Mexico, famous as the home of the Caesar salad. Restaurateur Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant, opened the restaurant in 1923, and it is now under chef Javier Plascencia, leading chef of Baja Med cuisine.

How much is a Caesar salad in Tijuana? ›

Caesar's is the birthplace of the Caesar Salad, which they make tableside for about $5 per person. Additionally, it is one of the top places to eat in Tijuana. Caesar's is the birthplace of the Caesar Salad, which they make tableside for about $5 per person.

Does Real caesar dressing have anchovies in it? ›

Definitely not your average salad dressing, it's full of flavor-packed ingredients that give it its distinctive taste. And yes, the rumors are true, caesar dressing has anchovies! This is actually an essential ingredient, and gives the dressing a super-charge of mouthwatering umami flavor.

What are the two types of caesar dressing? ›

Caesar salad dressing comes in a few basic forms. First, some are creamy, like ranch dressing, while others are more like vinaigrette, with a visible separation of oil and water-based ingredients.

What is normally comes with Caesar salad? ›

The salad typically includes romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a dressing made of anchovies, olive oil, garlic, lemon, egg yolks, and Dijon mustard. But not all Caesar salads are created equal in today's creative culinary world.

What is the original Caesar dressing made of? ›

The dressing was made with raw egg yolks, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. All these fresh ingredients give the salad a unique, satisfying flavor that's hard to beat. American influences: The original Caesar salad made in Tijuana was created during Prohibition in the 1920s.

What are the traditional ingredients in a Cobb salad? ›

Arrange the salad - on a large plate, layer the romaine with eggs, chicken, tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon and avocado. Drizzle everything with that classic cobb salad dressing and serve! Alternatively, equally divide all ingredients between serving plates and drizzle with dressing.

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