Spicy Caesar Salad

This spicy Caesar is creamy, garlicky, and has just the right amount of heat from Calabrian chilis, finished off with buttery toasted panko instead of regular croutons. It’s a copycat of the little gem salad at Jon & Vinny’s, a popular Italian restaurant in LA. We had just moved about a week before my birthday, so I wanted to go somewhere good to celebrate, and we ended up there. Everything we ordered was incredible, but this salad was the one I couldn’t stop thinking about, so simple on paper but so unique and elevated in every bite that I had to come home and remake it myself.

What Makes This One Special

Jon & Vinny’s spicy Caesar is one of those dishes people go back for again and again, and it’s really all about the dressing. It’s got that classic Caesar creaminess, but Calabrian chilis and chili flakes bring a heat that lingers just enough to keep you going back for another bite. Parmesan and anchovy paste round it out with that deep, savory flavor a good Caesar always has and needs.

The other star here is the breadcrumbs. Toasting panko in butter and olive oil instead of using regular croutons gives you these little golden, buttery crumbs that cling to every leaf. And keeping the little gem lettuce as whole leaves instead of chopping it makes this feel more elevated, almost like a steakhouse wedge salad. It’s truly an addiciting salad and now you can recreate it at home!

How To Make It

Make the Dressing

To a blender, food processor, or a cup with an immersion blender, add the mayonnaise, sour cream or buttermilk, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, dijon mustard, anchovy paste, and Calabrian chilis. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Transfer to a bowl, then add the black pepper, parmesan, and chili flakes, stirring until combined. Taste and adjust anything to your liking, adding more chili flakes or Calabrian chili if you want it spicier. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

🤎 TIP: Sour cream is what makes this taste closest to the original, giving the dressing that same thick, tangy richness, while buttermilk keeps it a bit lighter if that’s what you prefer.

Toast the Breadcrumbs

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil and let melt together. Add the panko breadcrumbs and stir frequently to coat evenly. Toast for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden brown.

Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan, dried oregano, and another pinch of salt. Set aside to cool slightly.

🤎 TIP: Keep stirring while it toasts, panko goes from golden to burnt fast once it gets going.

Assemble the Salad

Wash the little gem lettuce and dry it very well, since any leftover water will keep the dressing from clinging to the leaves. Separate the leaves and arrange them on a large, wide plate rather than in a bowl, so the leaves lay flat and every piece gets evenly coated in dressing and breadcrumbs instead of clumping together at the bottom.

Drizzle the dressing generously over the leaves, then sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs evenly on top. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and the chopped parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Sour cream gives you the most authentic version of this dressing, while buttermilk keeps it a bit lighter.
• Add an extra spoonful of Calabrian chilis or a pinch more chili flakes if you like it spicier.
• Romaine hearts work great if you can’t find little gem lettuce.
• Add grilled chicken or shrimp on top to turn this into a full meal.

Make Ahead & Storing Leftovers

The dressing can be made a few days in advance and kept covered in the fridge, so it’s an easy one to prep ahead. The toasted breadcrumbs can also be made ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days, just leave the parmesan out. Once assembled, this salad is best enjoyed right away since the dressed lettuce will wilt and the breadcrumbs will lose their crunch if it sits too long.

Where To Buy Calabrian Chilis

Calabrian chilis are spicy Italian chilis, usually sold chopped and packed in oil. You can find them at most grocery stores near other Italian ingredients or in the pickled jar area.

Craving More Like This? Try These Recipes Out!

• Caesar Salad Dip — all the flavors of a Caesar salad turned into a warm, creamy dip loaded with rotisserie chicken.
• Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos — crispy smashed chicken tacos topped with a tossed Caesar salad and parmesan.
• Cobb Salad With the Best Dressing — a hearty chopped salad with chicken, beef bacon, and eggs tossed in a sweet and savory vinaigrette.
• Fattoush Salad — a Lebanese salad loaded with fresh herbs, veggies, and crispy fried pita chips.
• Avocado Quinoa Salad – Mendocino Farms Copycat — a crunchy quinoa salad with a zesty chipotle vinaigrette.

If you make this recipe, make sure to leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out — I love hearing from you! And if you snap a photo, don’t forget to tag me over on Instagram or TikTok so I can see your creations too.

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