Let me let you in on a little salad secret – grilling your lettuce makes it so much tastier! I know, it may sound a little weird to throw lettuce on the hot grill. But trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked.
Grilling gives romaine lettuce incredible new depths of flavor. It caramelizes natural sugars and brings out sweet, nutty notes in the leaves. You get a delicious char paired with a cool, crunchy interior. Toss it with a bright lemony dressing, and you’ve got a salad like you’ve never tasted. Grilled romaine lettuce takes your salads from boring to sensational. It’s so easy to make but packs a huge flavor punch. Keep reading for my tips on making perfect grilled lettuce every time. I promise, your tastebuds will thank you!
Why You’ll Love These Grilled Romaine Hearts
Let me tell you why grilled romaine lettuce should be your new go-to salad side this summer. These tasty grilled lettuce wedges have so much going for them:
- They take just minutes to make but have incredible depth of flavor. The grill adds sweet, nutty notes you don’t get in raw romaine.
- You get an amazing combo of textures – lightly charred outer leaves with a cool, crisp crunch inside. Yum!
- Grilling mellows out bitterness and accentuates romaine’s natural sweetness. So long, boring lettuce!
- The charred edges pair perfectly with anything you’d typically grill – burgers, chicken, seafood, you name it.
- A bright, lemony dressing provides the ideal tangy balance to the smoky char.
- Romaine hearts hold their shape nicely on the grill for beautiful presentation.
- It’s a fresh twist on salad for warmer weather meals and barbecues.
- You get that tasty char along with nutritious greens to balance your plate.
- Leftovers can be repurposed in salads, sandwiches, wraps – get creative!
- Even picky eaters will love the unique combo of textures. It’s fun to eat!
Do yourself a favor and grill up some lettuce tonight. I promise you won’t miss boring old raw salad after you try these full of flavor grilled hearts!
Ingredients to Make Grilled Romaine Lettuce
Grilled romaine only needs a handful of simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make some lettuce magic happen on your grill:
Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce – Find nice, compact heads with crisp leaves. Crunchy texture is key for grilling.
- Olive oil – A good quality extra virgin oil will give you flavor and prevent drying.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed is ideal. Bright acidity balances the charred lettuce.
- Garlic – Minced or grated garlic adds a nice undertone.
- Salt and pepper – Season up your lettuce with some s&p.
- Extras like parmesan, croutons or Caesar dressing can complement it.
How to Make Grilled Romaine Lettuce
Grilling up tasty romaine lettuce is super easy – I’m going to walk you through exactly how to do it:
Get Your Lettuce Ready
- Start with fresh, crisp romaine hearts. Look for nice tight heads with bright green leaves.
- Cut off the root end and peel away any wilted outer layers.
- Rinse the lettuce under cool water to wash away dirt and debris.
- Pat dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
- Brush all over with olive oil to prevent sticking and drying out.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
Time to Grill
- Heat your grill to high – around 400-500°F.
- Place lettuce cut-side down and let it cook for 2-3 minutes until you get nice char marks.
- Use tongs to gently flip and char the other side another 2-3 minutes.
- Watch closely to avoid burning. Move to a cooler spot on the grill if needed.
- Transfer to a platter when lettuce looks perfectly charred.
Then just drizzle on your lemony dressing and dig in! Grilled romaine is amazing with anything you’d grill for dinner.
Tips for Making Grilled Romaine Hearts
I want to share some of my best tips to help you make perfect grilled romaine lettuce every time:
- Choose fresh, compact romaine heads with crisp leaves. Avoid lettuce that seems limp or wilted.
- Trim off any brown edges before grilling for the best results.
- If your lettuce starts to burn or char too quickly, move it to a cooler spot on the grill right away.
- Be sure to brush the lettuce all over with olive oil just before grilling. This prevents sticking and drying out.
- Use tongs to gently flip the lettuce while grilling. You want to avoid ripping or tearing those nice leaves.
- Resist the urge to press down on the lettuce with your tongs or spatula. Let it char naturally for best flavor.
- Aim for light charring rather than completely blackened lettuce. Just 2-3 minutes per side does the trick.
- Consider grilling halved hearts rather than quartered wedges. They tend to hold their shape better.
- If leaves start to fall apart, use a grill basket to contain them and make flipping easier.
- Let the grilled lettuce come to room temp before dressing for maximum flavor absorption.
Follow these tips and you’ll be a grilled lettuce pro in no time! Let me know if you have any other questions.
What to Serve with Your Grilled Romaine Hearts
Grilled romaine lettuce goes great with so many dishes. Here are some of my favorite options for what to serve it with:
- Burgers and steak – The charred lettuce gives fantastic texture and flavor alongside hearty grilled meat.
- Chicken or shrimp – Lighter proteins like poultry and seafood pair nicely with the grilled greens.
- Kabobs or skewers – Alternate veggies and meat on skewers with wedges of lettuce for a pretty presentation.
- Salmon or tuna – The char complements fish beautifully. Toss in mixed greens for a composed salad.
- Pizza – Top grilled flatbread or pizza with sliced grilled lettuce after baking.
- Lamb chops or pork chops – Lean meats like chops love the charred accent.
- Grilled cheese – Add some crunchy grilled lettuce to your next grilled cheese sandwich.
- Tacos – Mix grilled lettuce into ground meat or fish tacos for texture.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless! Grilled romaine adds tasty charred flavor to all kinds of meals. Get creative with how you incorporate it into your favorite dishes.
Let me know if you come up with any other delicious ways to serve up your grilled lettuce!
How to Store Grilled Romaine
Got leftovers of your tasty grilled romaine? Here are my tips for storing it to enjoy later:
- Let the grilled lettuce come to room temperature before refrigerating. This prevents condensation that can make it soggy.
- Place grilled lettuce pieces or whole hearts in an airtight container or storage bag. Limit air exposure to avoid premature wilting.
- If you used a flavorful dressing on the lettuce, store it separately. Acidic dressings can cause browning during storage.
- Press out any excess moisture with paper towels before storing for maximum crispness.
- Refrigerate the container of grilled lettuce for up to 3-4 days until ready to use.
- You can chop, slice, or dice grilled lettuce to add to salads, sandwiches, tacos, and more.
- Gently reheat portions in the microwave or oven to serve warm if desired.
- Avoid freezing grilled lettuce, as the high water content doesn’t hold up well.
With proper storage, you can enjoy the unique flavor and texture of grilled romaine all week long. Use it to quickly elevate simple meals and sides.
Let me know if you have any other questions about storing leftovers! I’m happy to help make sure none of that grilled goodness goes to waste.
How Long Will Grilled Romaine Last in the Fridge?
Properly stored, grilled romaine lettuce will keep fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. I like to store it in an airtight container to maximize freshness.
Keep those lettuce hearts or chopped pieces cold until you’re ready to enjoy them. Use your leftover grilled lettuce within 3-4 days for the best quality and texture.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to help make sure you get the most out of your grilled lettuce.
Grilled Romaine Lettuce
Ingredients
- 2 romaine lettuce hearts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: shaved Parmesan cheese, croutons, Caesar dressing
Instructions
- Trim root end from romaine hearts and remove any wilted outer leaves. Rinse under water and pat dry.
- Brush lettuce hearts all over with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Grill over direct high heat, cut-side down first, for 2-3 minutes until charred. Turn and char other side.
- Transfer romaine hearts to a platter and drizzle with lemon juice. Serve warm.
Equipment
- Grill or grill pan
- Tongs
- Basting brush
- Platter
Notes
Look for compact, firm romaine hearts. Trim any brown edges before grilling. Brush with olive oil just before grilling to prevent sticking and drying out. Turn gently with tongs to prevent tearing leaves. Store grilled lettuce in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Calories: 74 per serving
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Fiber: 3g
- Vitamin A: 28% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 27% DV
- Calcium: 4% DV
- Iron: 8% DV
- Potassium: 9% DV
Conclusion
Grilled romaine lettuce is a simple way to add tasty charred flavor to salads and sides. Just a few minutes on a hot grill transforms the lettuce into a delicious, smoky treat.
The high heat caramelizes the lettuce’s natural sugars and brings out its subtle nutty flavor. You get a perfect balance of textures too – lightly charred outer leaves with a cool, crisp crunch inside.
Served with a bright, acidic dressing, grilled romaine lettuce makes an easy and healthy addition to any summer barbecue spread. It pairs perfectly with classic cookout foods like burgers, chicken, and steak.
The techniques are straightforward, but the big dose of flavor and nutrition grilled lettuce delivers is anything but boring. Give this unique grilled salad a try and liven up your dinner routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why grill romaine lettuce?
Grilling gives romaine lettuce great charred flavor. It caramelizes natural sugars and brings out sweet, nutty notes while adding texture.
What type of lettuce works best for grilling?
Romaine is the best lettuce for grilling because its sturdy leaves hold up well to the high heat. Other good options include endive, radicchio, and iceberg.
How do you prevent grilled lettuce from drying out?
Brush lettuce all over with olive oil before grilling to keep it moist. Grill over direct high heat for just 2-3 minutes per side to prevent burning or wilting.
What is a good dressing for grilled romaine?
Bright, acidic dressings like lemon vinaigrette, Caesar, and blue cheese pair well with grilled romaine. The tangy flavors balance the char.
Can you grill lettuce on a pan instead of a grill?
Yes, grilled lettuce can be made on a stove-top grill pan. Use the same technique of oiling, heating over high heat, and cooking for 2-3 minutes per side.
How long does grilled lettuce last in the fridge?
Store grilled lettuce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Keep any dressing separate to prevent sogginess and discoloration.
This Kitchn post has more tips on how to grill lettuce perfectly.
