Applebee’s is a popular American casual dining restaurant chain that is known for its extensive menu of American cuisine. One of their most popular salad offerings is the Caesar salad, which has been a staple on menus for decades. But what exactly is in an Applebee’s Caesar salad? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition facts behind this classic salad.
Caesar Salad History
The Caesar salad was invented in 1924 by an Italian immigrant named Caesar Cardini who owned restaurants in Mexico and the United States. As legend goes, on a busy Fourth of July weekend with a shortage of supplies, Cardini created the Caesar salad using just romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, egg, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. It quickly became a huge hit with customers. Over the years, recipes evolved to include anchovies, garlic, and sometimes chicken or bacon. The creamy, zesty dressing is really what makes the salad special. Today, it remains one of the most beloved salads in the world.
What’s Actually in an Applebee’s Caesar Salad?
While recipes can vary between restaurants, an Applebee’s Caesar salad generally contains the following main ingredients:
- Romaine lettuce – The base of the salad is romaine lettuce. Romaine has crisp leaves and a mild flavor.
- Croutons – Croutons made from toasted bread cubes add crunch and texture.
- Parmesan cheese – Shaved or grated Parmesan cheese provides a salty, nutty flavor.
- Caesar dressing – The creamy dressing has a distinct anchovy taste.
Some additional ingredients you may find in an Applebee’s Caesar salad include:
- Chicken – Sliced grilled chicken breast is a common protein addition.
- Bacon – Bits of bacon complement the salad with a smoky, salty flavor.
- Boiled egg – Sliced hard-boiled egg adds protein and texture contrast.
- Lemon – Squeezed lemon juice brightens up the creamy dressing.
- Black pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper provides a touch of spice.
Applebee’s Caesar Salad Dressing
The dressing is truly the star of any Caesar salad. Applebee’s Caesar dressing has a rich, tangy flavor derived from key ingredients like:
- Mayonnaise – A base of mayo or another oil emulsion gives the dressing body and creaminess.
- Parmesan – Grated Parmesan lend a nutty, cheesy taste.
- Anchovies – Minced or pureed anchovies provide a savory, umami kick.
- Garlic – Garlic adds an aromatic nuttiness.
- Lemon juice – The acidity from lemon brightens the dressing.
- Worcestershire sauce – Worcestershire adds depth of flavor.
- Dijon mustard – Mustard gives the dressing a bit of sharpness.
- Salt and pepper – Seasonings balance out the flavors.
The exact recipe likely varies from location to location, but Caesar dressing generally has an emulsified texture from whisking together eggs, oil, Parmesan and lemon juice. The anchovies can be incorporated in either minced or pureed form.
Making Applebee’s-Style Caesar Dressing at Home
Want to recreate Applebee’s Caesar dressing at home? Try this simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 anchovy fillets, minced
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, Worcestershire, mustard, anchovies and garlic until smooth.
- Season with black pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
- Whisk dressing again before serving over romaine lettuce.
Making it at home allows you to tweak flavors to your taste preferences. Add a touch more Parmesan for cheesiness, increase anchovies for a bolder umami profile, or brighten with extra lemon juice.
Applebee’s Caesar Salad Nutrition Information
If you’re watching your nutrition intake, here are some key facts about Applebee’s Caesar salad nutrition:
Full Caesar Salad Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Facts | Serving Size 1 salad |
|---|---|
| Calories | 490 |
| Total Fat | 36g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 165mg |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 33g |
Some key points:
- Very high in fat at 36g, mostly from the dressing, cheese and croutons.
- Extremely high in sodium at 1280mg – over half an entire day’s worth in one salad!
- Decent amount of protein (33g) from chicken or bacon additions.
- Moderate cholesterol (165mg).
- Not many carbs or fiber since it’s mostly lettuce and protein.
Caesar Salad Without Chicken or Bacon
Ordering the salad without chicken or bacon cuts down on calories, protein, sodium and fat:
| Nutrition Facts | Serving Size 1 salad |
|---|---|
| Calories | 370 |
| Total Fat | 30g |
| Sodium | 1150mg |
| Protein | 8g |
Removing the chicken and bacon drops the protein significantly, but also improves the fat and sodium content.
Dressing Nutrition
Just a 2 tablespoon serving of the Caesar dressing alone has:
| Nutrition Facts | Serving Size 2 tablespoons |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Sodium | 170mg |
So the creamy dressing is clearly the main driver of fat and sodium in an Applebee’s Caesar salad.
Conclusion
An Applebee’s Caesar salad is a delicious but very indulgent menu option. It contains romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a rich dressing made with mayonnaise, anchovies, lemon, and Parmesan. When topped with extras like chicken and bacon, the entire salad ends up extremely high in calories, fat, and sodium. Ordering without the chicken and bacon improves the nutrition profile. But the real culprit is the creamy, salty dressing containing mayo and cheese. So enjoy an Applebee’s Caesar salad occasionally as a special treat, but balance the rest of your diet with lighter, healthier options to avoid overdoing it on fat and sodium. Moderation is key!