Grilled Caesar Salad

by Dorothy Reinhold on July 13, 2014


Print This Post Print This Post Grilled Caesar Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.com

Deep into summer grilling season now, I’m grilling everything that isn’t nailed down.

Summer stone fruit? Check. Garlic bread? Check. Pizza? Check.

Caesar Salad? Check. Wait, what? Grilled lettuce?

Grilled Caesar Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comYes, and it’s a bit of a revelation. A fast lap on the grill and the romaine lettuce wilts slightly, gets charred around the edges, and develops a wonderful, smoky flavor.

Grilled Caesar Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comGrilled Caesar Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comGrilled Caesar Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comGrilled Caesar Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comGrilled Caesar Salad | ShockinglyDelicious.comTry it and join the Grilled Caesar Club. So far, I’m president. You can be vice president.

Recipe: Grilled Caesar Salad

Summary: Quickly charred lettuce has a smoky flavor that perfectly marries to the rich dressing, salty cheese and crunchy croutons. Pair with a light wine such as Gallo Family Sweet White Blend.

Ingredients

  • Romaine hearts (at least 1 for every 2 people, but more likely 1 full heart per person)
  • Caesar Salad Dressing
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Croutons

Instructions

  1. Heat grill to medium hot. Leave bottom stem-knob on the lettuce, and slice romaine hearts in half lengthwise. Mist each half heart extremely lightly with cooking spray. Using tongs, place each half heart on the grill, cut side down. DO NOT WALK AWAY! LETTUCE IS NOT STEAK!
  2. Lettuce will char and be grilled in 1-3 minutes, depending on how hot your grill is. Watch your first batch and test your timing, and then adjust your next batch accordingly. When the half heart is grilled to your liking, use the tongs to gently place it on a serving platter.
  3. When all lettuce has been grilled, drizzle salad dressing over all (you will use far less dressing than when you dress a traditionally prepared salad), sprinkle each half heart with a pinch or two of Parmesan, and fling a few croutons atop.
  4. If serving as a side salad, allow at least 1 half heart for each person. If making lunch of this, allow at least a whole heart (2 halves) for each person. The last time I made this, I ate 3 half hearts myself (it is so lightly dressed it doesn’t fill you up too fast).
  5. Enjoy with a nice glass of wine, and savor the moment.

Recipe source

Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious

Sunday Supper

See this page for all the wonderful #SundaySupper dishes I have made since I joined this group, and links to all the other delicious dishes made by my fellow cooks.

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 4 minutes
Diet type: Vegetarian
Number of servings (yield): 6
Culinary tradition: USA (Nouveau)
My rating 5 stars:  ★★★★★ 

Today’s Sunday Supper  recipes

Sunday Supper badgeThis week our #SundaySupper blogger crew is celebrating Grilling, sponsored by Gallo Family Vineyards. They’d love it if you connected with them on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube. I enjoy chatting with them on their social media about wine pairings with my recipes. They have a page for Gallo Family Wine and BBQ pairings, and  a page for Grilling Recipes, if you’d like to browse for inspiration.

Check out our collection of 20 recipes we have lined up for you today from the Sunday Supper cooks, and our wine pairings for each of them. I recommend you try my delicious Grilled Caesar Salad with some light, fruity Gallo Family Vineyards Sweet White Blend, bursting with juicy peach, tropical fruit and honeydew flavors that marry well with salads and light brunch foods. If you prefer a heartier wine or a red, try their velvety Merlot, with flavors of black cherry, ripe plum and hints of oak; it would be a real counterpoint to the salad. You can find them in your grocery store (or use their store locator here) and get a $1 off digital coupon here.

If you don’t want Grilled Caesar today, choose something else from the menu below that rings your chimes:

Appetizers:

Salads and Sides:

Main Dishes:

Desserts:

Join us around the family table for #SundaySupper 

TwitterBird on SundaySupper

      • Twitter how-to: Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag throughout the day on Twitter to see our recipes. To join the conversation anytime, simply use the #SundaySupper hashtag to share your favorite tips and recipes.
      • Pinterest: Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more recipes and photos.
      • Join: To join the Sunday Supper Movement, sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.

Gallo Family Vineyards logo on Shockingly DeliciousDisclosure: Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.

{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }

Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen July 14, 2014 at 12:29 pm

You have me convinced! I will be giving this a try this weekend and I am so excited 🙂

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 15, 2014 at 7:26 am

Bobbi,
Oh good! Be sure to tell me how you like it!

Reply

Julie July 14, 2014 at 11:58 am

This is an amazing idea! I can just imagine how tasty that charred lettuce would be!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 15, 2014 at 7:26 am

Julie,
I know, right? Charred lettuce…who knew?

Reply

susan @ the wimpy vegetarian July 13, 2014 at 9:11 pm

I love grilled Caesar Salad!!! Great summer grilling recipe!!!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:21 pm

Susan,
Thank you!

Reply

Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere July 13, 2014 at 5:07 pm

I would never have thought to grill lettuce. This looks fantastic!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:21 pm

Sarah,
Me either, but boy is it good!

Reply

Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) July 13, 2014 at 10:36 am

I’ve always wanted to try a grilled Caesar, but haven’t done it. This makes me want to try this very very soon!!!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:22 pm

Wendy,
I heartily encourage it!

Reply

Alida July 13, 2014 at 10:34 am

This is so creative and a tasty spin on my favorite salad. Grilled romaine sounds so tasty!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:22 pm

Alida,
You MUST try it!

Reply

Amy Kim July 13, 2014 at 9:07 am

I’ve always wanted to try this! My lunch is set for tomorrow! 🙂

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:27 am

Amy,
I predict you will eat a whole head of lettuce!

Reply

Heather // girlichef July 13, 2014 at 7:19 am

I will definitely join that club. I am all for the grilled romaine! This looks so good, Dorothy.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:27 am

Heather,
Thanks! I was super surprised at how tasty it was!

Reply

Tammi @ Momma's Meals July 13, 2014 at 6:58 am

Dorothy I can’t wait to try this! So simple and delicious, I bet it has a great smoky flavor! Never would have thought of it! And of course pairing it with the sweet blend just completes it!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:38 am

Tammi,
The sweet blend wine was a surprisingly (to me!) good pairing.

Reply

Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers July 13, 2014 at 6:47 am

Yum Dorothy! What a great idea! I never had grilled lettuce before! I so have to try your recipe!! I love it!!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:38 am

Jennifer,
It will shock you how good it is!

Reply

Katie July 13, 2014 at 6:35 am

I have had grilled caesar salads on my to-do list for so long – I love the grill flavor on the lettuce! Love this recipe 😉

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:37 am

Katie,
I encourage you to go for it!

Reply

Jennie @themessybakerblog July 13, 2014 at 5:57 am

I can still remember the first time I grilled romaine for a Caesar salad, and I never looked back. It is by far the best dish I’ve ever eaten. Something so simple, yet so satisfying. Love!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:39 am

Jennie,
Wow, EVER eaten? That’s fantastic!

Reply

Alice // Hip Foodie Mom July 13, 2014 at 5:49 am

I can’t believe I have never grilled romaine lettuce before!!! looks so good . . I need to try this ASAP!! love!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:39 am

Alice,
True, you MUST!

Reply

Shaina July 13, 2014 at 4:44 am

I’ve heard of this before but still haven’t tried it. It really is such a great idea. That charred, smokey flavor must give so much depth to this otherwise boring (in my opinion) salad. Yum!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:40 am

Shaina,
I think you’re right. Caesars are so ubiquitous they can seem boring. Grilled = NOT boring!

Reply

Liz July 13, 2014 at 4:42 am

Caesar salad is the hubby’s favorite! It is my goal to gill it before the summer is over. Yours looks magnificent, Dorothy!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:40 am

Liz,
A worthy goal!

Reply

Cindys Recipes and Writings July 13, 2014 at 4:39 am

This was big years ago we used to make it with a kitchen torch. Your grilled version sounds awesome!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:41 am

Cindy,
Never heard of the torch idea but I am officially intrigued!

Reply

Hezzi-D July 13, 2014 at 4:11 am

Alright, I’ve been wanting to grill a salad for a while now but haven’t gotten up the courage to do it. You make it look easy and so delicious! I’ve got to try it!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:41 am

Heather,
You will wonder why you didnt’ try it before!

Reply

Shannon @VillageGirlBlog July 13, 2014 at 3:40 am

Grilling Romaine does magical things to the lettuce! Love the presentation of this! Great pairing with the Sweet White Blend.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:41 am

Thanks Shannon!

Reply

Renee July 13, 2014 at 3:20 am

Oh, I’m already in the grilled Caesar salad club. Love grilled romaine!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 13, 2014 at 9:42 am

Renee,
I knew that you would be! 🙂

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 14, 2014 at 8:31 am

Gee,
You DO, you DO! Come back and tell me how you like it.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: