Print

Crispy Grilled Caesar Salad

crispy grilled caesar salad - featured image

A smoky, charred romaine Caesar salad grilled to perfection with a creamy homemade dressing, perfect for easy summer meals and backyard BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise (use vegan mayo for plant-based version)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
  • 1 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to around 400°F (205°C).
  2. Rinse the romaine lettuce heads and pat dry. Slice each head in half lengthwise, keeping the core intact.
  3. Brush the cut sides of the romaine halves generously with olive oil.
  4. Place the romaine halves cut side down on the grill. Grill for 2-3 minutes until grill marks and slight char appear.
  5. Flip the romaine halves and grill for another 1 minute to warm the outer leaves.
  6. While grilling, whisk together garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and mayonnaise in a bowl.
  7. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing.
  8. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Place grilled romaine halves on a serving platter. Spoon the dressing over the lettuce.
  10. Sprinkle generously with croutons and extra Parmesan cheese.
  11. Serve immediately while the romaine is still warm and crisp.

Notes

Prepare the dressing a few hours ahead and refrigerate for best flavor. Watch grill temperature closely to avoid burning the lettuce. Use fresh, firm romaine for best grilling results. For vegan version, use vegan mayo, skip anchovy paste, and substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese. Gluten-free croutons can be made with gluten-free bread or toasted nuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caesar salad, grilled romaine, summer salad, smoky salad, easy salad recipe, BBQ side dish