This Grilled Caesar Salad recipe is a grilling twist on a classic Caesar salad. The Romaine hearts are lightly charred and then tossed with dressing, pine nuts, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Serve this grilled salad as a side dish, or add some grilled chicken to make it a meal.

Grilled romaine lettuce halves topped with Caesar dressing and shredded parmesan cheese, served on a wooden board. Surrounding the board are bowls of parmesan, dressing, pine nuts, and a striped napkin.

Have you ever grilled lettuce before? I first had a grilled salad at a restaurant, and I loved how it changed the texture and flavor. I started experimenting at home and now this is one of my favorite salads to make! Grilled Romaine lettuce is an easy way to elevate a simple salad.

For this recipe, you grill Romaine hearts just long enough to get a nice char and partially warm the lettuce. It then has some crunchy cool parts that contrast with the warm charred parts, which are slightly softer. If you love Caesar salad, but have never tried grilled lettuce, this charred salad recipe is a great way to give it a try. I think you will really love it.

Grilled romaine lettuce topped with shredded cheese, pine nuts, and creamy dressing on a wooden serving board, surrounded by bowls of cheese, pine nuts, a napkin, and a plate with forks.

How to make this Grilled Caesar Salad

You’ll want to preheat the grill to medium-high heat (you can use a charcoal grill or a gas grill).
Slice each Romaine heart in half lengthwise and brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Start with the lettuce cut-side down on the hot grill. Grill for three to four minutes, or until it is lightly charred, then turn them over and cook on the other side for three to four more minutes.
Adding pine nuts adds a great crunch. Parmesan cheese and caesar dressing are classic toppings (use your favorite bottled dressing).
Either serve the halved Romaine hearts as is, or roughly chop them after grilling and toss them in a medium bowl with the rest of the ingredients.

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Mel’s Expert Tips

When you grill the lettuce, only do it long enough to get some char marks. If you overcook the Romaine, the leaves will get very wilted and soft. The best grilled lettuce is lightly charred but not cooked all the way through.
You can also add some croutons or crispy bacon to this salad for added crunch, or serve with some garlic bread on the side.
Sometimes I grill some boneless, skinless chicken breasts, slice them, and toss them with the salad. This makes it a light main dish.
Try some black pepper on top of your salad – this adds a pungent flavor that can enhance the overall taste.
Choose your favorite store bought or homemade caesar dressing – If making homemade, consider using anchovies or anchovy paste for a classic blend of flavors.

Grilled Caesar Salad Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Grilled Caesar Salad is a delicious twist on an old classic recipe – add some smokey flavor to your salad with just a few simple steps!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Yield 2 servings

Serving Size 1 serving

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Ingredients

2 heads of romaine hearts
1-2 tablespoon olive oil for each romaine half
Salt and pepper to taste
4-6 tablespoon of your favorite caesar salad dressing
Finely shredded parmesan cheese
Pine nuts

Instructions

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Cut romaine hearts in half lengthwise and brush evenly with olive oil.
Sprinkle all halves with salt and pepper to taste.
Grill romaine halves face down for 3-4 min until slightly charred. Flip and grill the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
Remove from the grill and drizzle with caesar salad dressing.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and pine nuts, leave as is or cut into bite size pieces.