This Simple Trick Will Revolutionize Your Caesar Salad

Grilled lettuce may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but a few months ago, while grabbing a quick lunch at Eataly, I had a revelation. It’s my favorite spot to sit because it's not just lunch—it's an experience. As I watched the chefs at work, I noticed they were grilling head after head of lettuce. Curious, I asked what they were preparing, then followed their lead and ordered a char-grilled salad that smelled absolutely amazing as it sizzled on the hot grill.

The flavor was just as incredible as the aroma. The result was a warm, smoky, and perfectly crisp salad that brought out the best in every flavor and texture. After that meal, I became obsessed with grilling romaine lettuce and experimenting with different variations of grilled Caesar salads all summer long. Explore some trendy Caesar salad ideas here.

Why You Should Grill Your Lettuce

If you’ve ever underestimated lettuce’s potential, prepare to be surprised. Once you try grilled romaine hearts, you’ll never look at lettuce the same way again. Grilling romaine brings out its earthy flavors, infusing them with a subtle hickory smokiness and balancing the crispness of the leaves with a delightful warmth and tenderness.

As the grill works its magic, the romaine leaves become gently caramelized, amplifying the flavors of a Caesar salad like never before. Picture sharp Parmesan, crunchy croutons, creamy, tangy Caesar dressing, all mingling with the warm, smoky essence of grilled romaine. It's an explosion of umami that will delight your taste buds.

How to Grill Romaine Lettuce

Not all lettuce varieties are suitable for grilling, but hearts of romaine are perfect. They’re sturdy, crisp, and can handle the intense heat of a grill or grill pan without wilting or burning. Grilled romaine is not only incredibly flavorful, it’s also very easy to prepare. Follow these steps to achieve the perfect char on your romaine.

• Slice a head of romaine vertically. It’s important to keep the leaves connected to the core, because that is how they remain strong and firm for grilling. Aesthetically, this also makes for gorgeous plating.
• Prepare each romaine half. Brush each heart of romaine generously with olive, and then season lightly with salt and pepper. 
• Use medium-high heat. Brush your grill grates or grill pan with a little bit of olive oil as they become sufficiently hot for charring the lettuce. You want to achieve those gorgeous sear marks and get the leaves smoky and caramelized. Discover the best grill pans here.
• Focus on the inside for grilling. Grill the flat, inner sliced sides of each romaine half first for about three minutes. Press each half down with tongs periodically for an adequate char. That is where those beautiful sear lines come in and the caramelization really happens. Once the lettuce has a deep sear and you smell the smoky (not burnt) flavor, use tongs again to flip the lettuce halves, grilling for two more minutes.

The Perfect Sheet Pan Dinner

You can serve these grilled romaine salads to guests on a platter for a beautiful and flavorful salad course, or keep it casual and enjoy it as a simple sheet pan dinner for one. If you're looking to make your own Caesar dressing, be sure to check out this recipe.

I’m a huge fan of ‘girl dinners,’ and this one has become a regular go-to. I heat up the grill pan, give the romaine that perfect char, then transfer it to a parchment-lined sheet pan. From there, I drizzle it with Caesar dressing or high-quality olive oil, top it with freshly grated Parmesan, shaved lemon zest, and toasted pine nuts, and finish with big, chunky croutons. I love digging in right from the pan—it’s absolutely delicious. Whether you're in need of a quick weeknight meal or planning a festive holiday menu, grilled romaine Caesar salads are a must-try! Check out more BBQ and grilled salad ideas here.