Grill/Barbecue

Fully Grilled Caesar Salad

October  4, 2022
4
6 Ratings
Photo by Mark Weinberg
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 5 minutes
  • Serves 2 for a meal, 4 to 6 for a side
Author Notes

In the spring and summer, I like to grill every part of a meal if I can. When friends told me they had tried grilled salad, I couldn't wait to make it. This simple Caesar salad comes together in minutes: The lettuce and baguette are grilled for a nice charred flavor, and the super easy dressing uses ingredients you probably already have at home. —Loves Food Loves to Eat

Test Kitchen Notes

You know what we think? Cold Caesar salad is so yesterday. Make your old faithful salad just a little hotter with some time on the grill. It's the perfect unique take on a classic beloved dish, and you'll look forward to making it whenever you turn on the grill—you could also use a cast-iron skillet or grill pan during the colder months if you're craving a warm salad. This recipe was developed by Loves Food Loves to Eat, who works in tech marketing by day, but at night, she cooks, photographs, and spends time with her cat, Biscuit. We can't thank her enough for this awesome grilled Caesar salad!

And it's always so easy to make, which is what we love about a quick summertime recipe. All you have to do is put together your own homemade Caesar dressing, with pantry/fridge staples like oil, mayo, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, Parm, salt, and pepper, grill both the romaine and bread until they're nicely charred, then flood the leaves and bread with the dressing. It's barbecue season and your grill is already hot, so why not throw your salad on there, too? This comes together in a snap, and even without any anchovies or eggs in sight, the dressing gets plenty of punch from the other ingredients. Feel free to add some grilled chicken or shrimp if you want to turn this into a fun entrée. You'll wonder why you've never charred your lettuce before—this recipe will certainly make you a true believer. —The Editors

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Fully Grilled Caesar Salad
Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
  • 1 large lemon, juiced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves, pressed
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large (or 2 small to medium) romaine heart
  • 1/2 baguette, halved lengthwise
Directions
  1. For the dressing, in a medium bowl, whisk the Parmesan, lemon juice, 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a grill to medium to medium-high heat.
  3. Cut the romaine heart(s) in half lengthwise. Brush the cut sides with oil, then season with salt and pepper. Brush the baguette with oil.
  4. Grill the romaine and bread cut side down for 1 to 2 minutes, until charred but not overly wilted.
  5. Serve warm. For presentation, serve the romaine hearts whole, surrounded by the bread, and dress to your liking. Or slice the lettuce crosswise and serve in a bowl with the bread and dressing.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

26 Reviews

Maureen May 29, 2016
Way late to the subject, but have been wondering how in the world do you wash and then dry romaine to be grilled? Recipe sounds great and will make this summer.
Loves F. May 29, 2016
Hey Maureen, I'd recommend cutting it in half before rinsing (so the water can get inside). Then give a light rinse, give it a good shake, and towel off the excess. Then let sit to air dry a bit. I think when I've made this I've used the pre-washed, packaged hearts of romaine, but obviously could (and should) do it with any. So happy this recipe is making the rounds again... I haven't made it in a long time!
Emily |. June 14, 2015
This is probably going to anger some traditionalists, but I had a big bag of oranges (my husband thought he was going to start "juicing" HA) and I used orange juice in place of lemon and made the rest of the recipe as written... best Caesar dressing ever! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Della T. July 11, 2014
I never want to eat non-grilled romaine again. Can't believe I haven't tried this until now!
Dina M. June 25, 2014
i LOVE grilled romaine/caesar--great, simple recipe.
Ali June 25, 2014
After 32 yrs in Sydney heat, it was FAB getting home to NZ (amazed my Aussie hubby finally gave up work as a cameraman), and to our wee rustic bach with massive seaviews (twinkling Auckland lights in the distance at night). Been here a year now, and run the first Mr Whippy ice cream on the island!! He's LOVING it. NO traffic lights??? Say Hi to him if ever here 'dymnyno' :)
Ali June 25, 2014
OMG!! I'M HOOKED ON YOUR BLOG ALREADY!! Going to have a great time reading through it bit by bit - backwards. Love the recipes seen so far...the pics...your sense of humour. HILARIOUS!! I spelt 'humour' correctly in THIS country btw. I'm on the stunning (and arty) Waiheke Island, NZ. I'd better stop communicating on this site, but advise evvvvveryone to check out your blog. COOL AS!
dymnyno June 25, 2014
I love love Waiheke Island!
Ali June 25, 2014
Hiya Loves Food Loves To Eat... Thank you for drawing my attention to how you usually use this recipe - and I'm sure it is YUM! Must try it. Also, I just opened up 'more' of your comments, and also in the REVIEW I've seen that it is mentioned it isn't the typical, full-on recipe etc (I'm not used to how this site works yet) - so my apologies :) If you took the plated shot, love that too!! Onya - and Hi to Biscuit. Cute. I write wee verses (abstract or rhyming) for plated food, and put my twist on it. Just one area of my writing. Fun. Take care!
Loves F. June 25, 2014
No prob, thanks for the comment! I took the original terrible shot (oy!) back in 2010. .. I've come a long way with my photography since then (you can take a look at my blog, www.lovesfoodlovestoeat.blogspot.com to see more!), but the lovely photo above was by someone else at Food52!
Ali June 25, 2014
Where are all the other ingredients that are usually at least suggested with a Caesar Salad? Anchovies, crispy bacon, chicken, egg, mustard...? I'm sure this is lovely, but not enough OMMMPH! Do love the charred part.
Loves F. June 25, 2014
Hey Ali! I typically make this more as a side--when the grill is already on, why not throw your side salad on there too? That being said, you could certainly build on the grilled Caesar idea and add all your favorite Caesar additions like chicken and bacon for a full entree salad! Oh, and the simple anchovy-less dressing? That was purposeful too: it's a punchy flavorful dressing using everyday in-your-fridge ingredients, perfect for when you want to throw a quick side salad on the grill without a lot of planning. :)
dymnyno May 3, 2013
I love the charred flavor of bbq'd romaine!
Creative C. August 7, 2011
I was having friends over for dinner the other night and they asked if they could bring something; I said sure. She suggested a salad with romaine and a dressing (I love them but I knew it would be a bottled dressing). I asked if they had ever had grilled romaine and if we could do that.

Long story short...3 minutes changes everything. We didn't do Caesar dressing either, just olive oil, red wine vinegar, some garlic, salt and pepper quickly mixed together and I had two friends who could not stop going on about how much they loved that salad. How they are going to serve it at a family reunion dinner. It is, quite simply, The Bomb!
Kitchen B. May 28, 2010
It looks lovely....A must try! A few days ago, I saw a guy braise lettuce and it was apparently delish so I can imagine the smoky flavours this has.
Oui, C. May 13, 2010
Yeah....this reminds me of the ones I used to get in Houston. Definitely gonna give this recipe a try. very nice!
Loves F. May 13, 2010
Thanks everyone! The smoky romaine and baguette paired with my fresh, easy dressing is SO perfect for spring/summer! So satisfying that the BF didn't even notice there was no meat. Hope you all enjoy! <3
Lizthechef May 12, 2010
The first time I saw someone grilling romaine I thought they were way off base - no more! Looks good.
lapadia May 12, 2010
I ? grilled salads!
coffeefoodwrite May 12, 2010
Love, love, love grilled lettuce. Looking forward to trying this salad. Looks great!
dymnyno May 11, 2010
This is one of my favorite recipes...Food and Wine or Gourmet had a similar recipe that I once used for a Napa Wine Auction lunch for 40 people...everyone loved it!
fiveandspice May 11, 2010
I love grilled salads! - I was almost going to submit one, but am glad I didn't :). This looks great.
student E. May 11, 2010
wow, yum! looking forward to trying this myself!
lastnightsdinner May 11, 2010
I love a grilled Caesar - beautiful!