This Grilled Caesar Salad will change the way you eat this classic salad. Grilled romaine lettuce with cool Caesar dressing and savory toppings.
Grilled Caesar Salad
We first tried Grilled Caesar Salad at one of our favorite local restaurants in Boise called Barbacoa (this place is to die for if you are ever visiting). Now we have to get this salad every time we go, it is so yummy! The grilling really brings out an amazing flavor in the lettuce. There is something so good about the cooked lettuce with the cool dressing and savory toppings. Of course we had to attempt our own version, though I admit we simplified our version a bit. At Barbacoa they make their own polenta croutons and toasted pumpkin seeds, which we subbed out for regular croutons and sunflower seeds.
Lettuce on the Grill?
While many veggies have earned their place on the barbecue grill next to an endless parade of meat, lettuce is not typically among them. But it should be. Especially when it comes to this delicious recipe. For the best result, be sure that you just use the romaine hearts. You don’t want to grill up a giant head of romaine. The romaine hearts are the perfect size for individual servings.
Top It Off
While the recipe calls for croutons, sunflower seeds, roasted red peppers and cherry tomatoes as the toppers for this delicious salad, you can definitely mix and match. Choose your favorite veggies to add crunch, texture and flavor to the mix. You can use pumpkin seeds like the restaurant version. Or, as one reader suggested, pine nuts instead of sunflower seeds. There are so many options.
Throw More in the Barbie
Looking for other great grilling recipes? Don’t worry. We have you covered.
- Grilled Halibut with Cilantro and Lime makes for a fresh, flavorful meal without the fishy taste.
- Spicy Grilled Shrimp is so buttery and delicious, you can’t stop popping them in your mouth.
- Grilled Honey Berry Sriracha Skewers can be spicy or mild, depending on what you want. They’ll quickly become a family favorite.
- If you want even more, this Top 10 Grill Recipes rounds up some of the best of the best when it comes to backyard barbecue cuisine.
How to Make Grilled Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 2 romaine hearts sliced in half
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers diced
- 12 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese fresh shredded
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup croutons
Instructions
- Slice the romaine hearts so you have two large halves.
- Rinse and gently pat dry with a paper towel. Lightly brush the lettuce with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill romaine over medium heat on both sides til edges are browned.
- Immediately remove romaine halves to serving plates and top with Caesar dressing and all the remaining toppings.
Equipment
- Outdoor Barbecue Grill
Malia @ Small Town Girl says
Wow! This sounds outstanding. Pinned 🙂
Tina says
I live in Boise! Love this place!
Echo says
We love it too! They have so many unique dishes on their menu. It’s one of our favorites!
Angela says
I cannot rate this recipe, since I have not yet made it….but it looks and sounds amazing! My family and I love salads as side dishes, so I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting ones. I’ll definitely serve this salad (as a side-dish) after my next trip to the supermarket. I love all of the ingredients in this recipe, so I’m sure that this salad will be a huge hit with my family. I don’t, however, think that I’ll use Sunflower Seeds. I’ll use Pine Nuts, instead.