Houston’s Spicy Caesar Dressing

Turn up the heat on your salad with Houston’s Spicy Caesar Dressing! Taking the classic Caesar to a fiery new level, this healthy salad dressing fuses the traditional creamy goodness with a bold kick of chili paste and a blend of spicy seasonings. Every drizzle promises to elevate your greens, croutons, and parmesan into a dance of flavors that’s both zesty and comforting.

Copycat Houston's Caesar salad with spicy Caesar dressing.


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What Makes Houston’s Spicy Caesar Dressing So Good?

Do you like classic Caesar Salad but wish it had just a bit more oomph? Then this dressing is for you! Houston’s Spicy Caesar Salad Dressing is certainly not afraid of making its presence known.

Think of it as a classic Caesar salad consisting of fresh eggs, extra virgin olive oils, anchovies, Dijon mustard, and plenty of fresh citrus juice mixed with just enough chili paste to get your attention. If you love spicy dressing and sauces, you will want to try this recipe. 

Why You Should Try This Spicy Caesar Salad Dressing 

If you are a fan of Houston’s chain of restaurants, you already know the company rebranded some of its most popular locations as Hillstones back in 2010. Unfortunately, just like name changes, menus constantly evolve, and both chains replaced the spicy version of their Caesar Salad with an eggless, traditional-tasting one.

But you can still make a Spicy Caesar Salad at home with this Spicy Caesar Salad Dressing recipe, and you definitely don’t need to be a master chef to do it. 

Spicy Caesar Dressing Ingredients

For Houston’s Spicy Caesar Salad Dressing, you’ll need:

  • Egg yolk
  • Garlic
  • Dijon mustard
  • Ground black pepper
  • Salt
  • Ground coriander
  • Ground cumin
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Water, ice-cold
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Canola oil
  • Sambal
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Parmesan cheese grated and slivers for garnish

To make the Spicy Caesar Salad, you’ll need:

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Croutons
Copycat Houston's spicy Caesar dressing and salad ingredients on a tray.

Ingredient Notes

Eating raw eggs can cause some people to get ill. If you are concerned about using them in this recipe, consider substituting fresh egg yolks for pasteurized dried egg yolk powder

Sambal is a type of hot sauce paste popular in Indonesia and Malaysia. There are several types of sambal, but the best one for this dressing is called Sambal Oelek. Huy Fong Sambal Oelek Chili Paste is available in some grocery stores and online in the US. If you can’t find sambal oelek near you, use Thai Chili paste or Sriracha instead. 

How to Make Spicy Caesar Dressing

To prepare the dressing:

  1. Pulse together the egg yolk, garlic, mustard, anchovies, black ground pepper, salt, coriander, cumin, Worcestershire, and ice-cold water in a food processor. Those without a food processor can finally mince the garlic and whisk together the rest of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. 
  2. Stir together the extra virgin olive oil and the canola oil. Slowly pour the combined oils into the food processor while it is on. If making the dressing without a food processor, have someone pour the oil into the bowl while you rapidly whisk 
  3. After pouring in the last of the oil, add the chili paste, citrus juices, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse to combine. 
  4. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and stick in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. 
  5. Shake well before using. 
Collage of making copycat Houston's spicy Caesar dressing.

How to Serve the Dressing

One of the best ways to use this dressing is to make a Spicy Caesar Salad:

  1. Remove any wilted leaves from a tight head of romaine lettuce. 
  2. Rinse and dry well. 
  3. Cut the romaine leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl. 
  4. Add a few tablespoons of Spicy Caesar Dressing. Use tongs to toss and coat the lettuce well. You can use more dressing as needed. 
  5. Add croutons to the bowl and gently toss. 
  6. Plate the salad on a large plate and garnish with thick-cut Parmesan cheese slices. 
Copycat Houston's spicy Caesar salad on a plate and a bowl of spicy Caesar dressing.

What to Serve With a Spicy Caesar Salad

This is not the typical luncheon salad that you can serve with dainty side dishes. You need something a lot hardier to stand up to the extra heat. A grilled steak or chicken would pair nicely with a Spicy Caesar Salad for dinner. And for a hearty lunch, add a side of soft breadsticks to really fill you up. 

Other Ways to Use Spicy Caesar Salad Dressing 

This stuff is too good just for salads. Try using the dressing by:

  • Swapping the dressing for ordinary mayo in potato and pasta salads. 
  • Using as a dipping sauce for chicken fingers or nuggets. 
  • Spreading it a burger or a hot roast beef sandwich. 
Copycat Houston's spicy Caesar salad dressing in a bowl.

How to Store Caesar Salad Dressing With Chili Paste

Transfer the salad dressing to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge until needed. Shake the dressing well before using. 

How Long Does It Last

To ensure Houston’s Spicy Caesar Salad Dressing is as fresh as possible, consume it within 48 hours. However, the dressing should still be good for a day or two longer than that, but the longer you keep it, the more intense the flavor will become.

Copycat Houston's Caesar salad with spicy Caesar dressing on a plate.

More Houston’s Copycat Recipes

Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes

Check out more of my easy salad dressing recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes on CopyKat!

Copycat Houston's Caesar salad with spicy Caesar dressing.

Houston’s Spicy Caesar Dressing

You don’t need to leave home to recreate Houston’s Spicy Caesar Salad Dressing
4.86 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Houston’s Recipes, Salad Dressing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 214kcal

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 anchovy filets
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons cold water
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sambal oelek or Thai chili paste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salad

  • romaine lettuce finely chopped
  • thick grated parmesan
  • mini croutons or regular croutons crushed slightly into smaller pieces

Instructions

  • Combine the egg yolk, garlic, mustard, anchovies, salt, pepper, coriander, cumin, Worcestershire, and water in food processor. Process until smooth.
  • With the motor running, add the olive oil and canola oil in a slow, steady stream.
  • When all the oil has been incorporated, add the chili paste, lemon juice, lime juice, and Parmesan cheese. Process until smooth.
  • To build the salad, toss the romaine lettuce with the dressing. Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese and croutons on top and serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is from the 1990’s, this salad dressing is not currently on Houston’s menu. 

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 101mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.3mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fi

    5 stars
    I like it a bit thicker, so I add one whole egg, in addition to the yolk. I don’t keep anchovies on hand, but I do have fish sauce! So I sub in one tsp fish sauce for the anchovies. I mix with my stick mixer.

  2. Liz Nelson

    4 stars
    This was really good! My husband loves Caesar salad so when he tried this dressing he was in heaven he loves spicy stuff as well. I added a little extra chili past to make it a little spicier for him.

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