Grilled Romaine (Easy Grilled Romaine Salad)

Grilled romaine salad on a platter with Caesar dressing, parmesan cheese and croutons with a wooden knife on the side.

Quick Look: Grilled Romaine Salad

Best for: Summer grilling, BBQs, weeknight dinners
Ready in: 10 minutes
Flavor: Smoky, crisp, fresh
Our favorite way to serve it: As a Grilled Caesar Salad with homemade dressing, parmesan, crunchy croutons and maybe some grilled chicken breasts

What You Will Need

Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.

Ingredients for grilled romaine separated out and labeled.

romaine lettuce – cut off the very end of the core, but keep the core intact – this will hold the romaine together.
olive oil – option to use olive oil or avocado oil to give the lettuce a nice char.
kosher salt & pepper – the perfect simple seasoning when making any grilled veggies.
salad dressing options (not pictured) – we love using homemade Caesar dressing, but you could also use creamy Italian dressing, homemade blue cheese dressing or basic ranch dressing.
seasoning or flavor options (not pictured) – you can dress this up with some croutons, fresh lemon juice, parmesan cheese, garlic, bacon, red onion, egg, corn, cherry tomatoes, or any other toppings that sound good to you!

How To Grill Romaine Lettuce

A piece of romaine lettuce on a cutting board with the core facing the camera and a thin slice cut off with a wooden knife laying next to it.

Step 1: Lay romaine on a cutting board and cut off a thin slice off the very end of the core attached.

A large wooden cutting board with a large wooden chef's knife, a bowl fo salt and pepper, a bowl of oil and a brush along with two halves of romaine seasoned and brushed with oil.

Step 2: Turn so the cut side is up. Brush with oil (olive oil or avocado oil) and then season with kosher salt and ground black pepper.

Two romaine halves on the grill, cut side down.

Step 3: Ensure your grill is quite hot (approx. 500 degrees F) and place cut-side down for just 2-3 minutes or until you have a nice char and grill marks.

Four pieces of grilled romaine lettuce with char marks on a platter with a bowl of dressing and a spoon.

Step 4: Remove from grill and transfer to a platter or cutting board.

How to Make a Grilled Romaine Salad (Caesar Edition)

Four pieces of grilled romaine lettuce with char marks on a platter with a bowl of dressing and a spoon. The romaine is dressing with parmesan cheese and croutons.

Step 1: Drizzle with Caesar Dressing and then add some parmesan cheese and crushed croutons.

Four pieces of grilled romaine lettuce cut up on a platter with a bowl of dressing and a spoon. Lettuce is dressed with parmesan and croutons.

Step 2: Cut up right on the platter and then everyone can take as much as they want! Perfect for entertaining!

Build Your Own Grilled Romaine Salad

Once you’ve grilled the romaine, it’s time for the fun part! We love turning it into a simple grilled Caesar salad (included in the recipe card), but this recipe is easy to customize with your favorite dressings, toppings, and proteins. Mix and match to create a salad that’s perfect for any meal.

Choose a Dressing: homemade Caesar dressing, Lemon vinaigrette, Creamy Balsamic vinaigrette, Creamy Italian dressing, homemade Ranch dressing, Green goddess dressing
Add Some Crunch: homemade croutons, toasted panko breadcrumbs, roasted chickpeas, toasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts
Add Cheese: shaved parmesan, pecorino romano, crumbled feta, fresh mozzarella
Add Protein: grilled chicken breasts, grilled chicken thighs, grilled blackened shrimp, grilled salmon, grilled steak, shredded rotisserie chicken, crispy chickpeas for a vegetarian option
Finish with Fresh Toppings: cherry tomatoes, grilled sweet corn, grilled avocado, pickled red onions, thinly sliced cucumber, crispy grilled bacon, fresh basil or parsley, lemon wedges, freshly cracked black pepper

Erin’s Pro Tip: Get Perfectly Charred Romaine Every Time

Don’t overcook it: Grill the romaine for just 2–3 minutes per side. You’re looking for lightly charred edges—not wilted lettuce.
Pat it dry: Wet lettuce will steam instead of char, so dry the romaine thoroughly after washing.
Leave the core intact: The core helps hold the leaves together, making the romaine much easier to flip on the grill.
Use medium-high heat: A hot grill (about 500-550°F) creates smoky char while keeping the center crisp and fresh.

Recipe FAQs

Can you grill romaine ahead of time?

For the freshest flavor and texture, we recommend grilling the romaine just before serving and adding the dressing and toppings right before eating. If you grill the romaine ahead of time it will start to wilt after a short period of time.

Do you wash romaine before grilling?

Yes. Wash the romaine thoroughly under cold water, then dry it completely with a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner. Removing as much moisture as possible helps the lettuce char instead of steam on the grill.

Can you make grilled romaine without an outdoor grill?

Yes! A grill pan is a great alternative if you don’t have an outdoor grill. Heat the grill pan over high heat and cook the romaine for 2–3 minutes per side until grill marks appear and the edges are lightly charred.

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