July 4th

National Caesar Salad Day - July 4, 2024

Updated on Dec 8, 2023 by Jefferson Huera

Every year on the 4th of July, foodies and salad fans unite in celebration of National Caesar Salad Day. It’s a specific day to honor the beautifully balanced Caesar Salad, known for its unique combination of fresh, crisp romaine lettuce, delectable creamy dressing, tender croutons and sprinkles of Parmesan cheese.

This celebration is a tribute to the unforgettable culinary impact the this festive dish has made across the world’s menus.

History of National Caesar Salad Day

The Caesar Salad saw its genesis in 1924, crafted by the Italian-American restaurant owner, Caesar Cardini. Cardini ran a popular eatery in Tijuana, Mexico, which Hollywood celebrities frequently visited. One particular Fourth of July weekend, the restaurant was so packed with diners that Cardini found himself limited to a handful of available ingredients.

In an attempt to provide his patrons with a unique dining experience, despite the scarcity, Cardini creatively prepared a new salad using leftover lettuce, croutons, and a drizzle of a specially made dressing. He created this dressing from a variety of ingredients he had on hand - olive oil, lemon juice, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. This unusual mixture was served directly at the table, giving an extra edge to the customers’ dining experience.

The unusual salad rapidly rose to fame, embedding itself into American food culture. Even though numerous variations of the original Caesar Salad have since been introduced - some with added chicken, bacon, or anchovies - the core ingredients remain the same, being lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and croutons.

The establishment of National Caesar Salad Day pays tribute to Cardini’s creative culinary invention and the crucial role the salad played in American food history. The celebration has captured the hearts of many food enthusiasts, both domestically and internationally. Not just chosen for its historical significance, the 4th of July also coincides with one of America’s major holidays - Independence Day - creating a two-fold cause for celebration.

National Caesar Salad Day Timeline

1924 AD

Invention of Caesar Salad

Caesar Cardini invented the Caesar Salad out of necessity when he needed to impress his customers with a new recipe.

1950

Trademark Registration

Caesar’s daughter Rosa Cardini registered the trademark 'Original Caesar's Salad'.

1950s

Bottled Caesar Dressing

The Cardini family decided to bottle and sell Caesar Salad dressing commercially, which greatly increased it's popularity.

1970s

Popularity Surge

The Caesar Salad rose to popularity during the 70s and ended up being one of America's most loved salads.

Present

National Caesar Salad Day

The United States recognises July 4th as National Caesar Salad Day, in commemoration of the day the salad was first created.

Ideas to Celebrate National Caesar Salad Day

Classic Caesar Salad Cooking Class

Host a cooking class featuring the classic Caesar salad. It can be a fun learning experience to understand the ingredients that go into this famous salad and the correct way to toss and mix it.

Caesar Salad Potluck

Organize a Caesar salad potluck. Encourage friends or co-workers to bring their unique take on Caesar salad and share it with others. This can lead to interesting variations and new recipes!

Caesar Salad Competition

Hold a competition to see who can make the best Caesar salad. Participants can offer different variations, and prizes can be given to the best traditional salad and to the most creative version.

Caesar Salad Tasting Party

Create a party centered around tasting various Caesar salads. Offer different variations, such as grilled chicken Caesar, shrimp Caesar, or even vegan versions.

Caesar Salad Restaurant Hop

Arrange a hop-on-hop-off style tour of restaurants in your town that serve great Caesar salads. Each participant can rate and review each one, making it a fun day out.

Make Your Own Caesar Dressing

The dressing is the heart of Caesar salad. Set up a home bar of ingredients to make homemade Caesar dressings. Include staples like anchovies, garlic, dijon mustard, and different types of vinegar, plus more creative addition options.

8 Interesting Facts About Caesar Salad

Origin of the Caesar Salad

The Caesar salad was named after its creator Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who operated restaurants in Mexico and the United States. He reportedly invented the dish in 1924 in Tijuana, Mexico.

Not Roman

Despite what one may think, the salad has no direct connection to Julius Caesar or the Roman Empire. It's named after its inventor, not the famous Roman emperor.

Creation out of Necessity

The Caesar salad came into existence more out of necessity than careful planning. On a busy Fourth of July weekend, Cardini was running low on food for his restaurant, so he whipped up a salad with what he had left in his kitchen.

Original Recipe

The original Caesar salad recipe did not include anchovies. The unique flavor in the dressing comes from Worcestershire sauce which includes anchovies in its ingredients.

Inclusion of Chicken

Chicken is now a common addition to the Caesar Salad, but the original recipe from Cardini did not contain any meat.

Unique Serving Style

Originally, the Caesar salad was served whole; lettuce leaves were not chopped but laid out whole on the plate, and it was meant to be eaten with the fingers, not cutlery.