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Crispy Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Dressing

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A smoky, crispy twist on classic Caesar salad featuring grilled romaine lettuce paired with a creamy homemade dressing. Perfect for quick meals or cookouts, this salad offers a fresh, flavorful upgrade.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • 1–2 tablespoons water (to thin dressing if needed)
  • Optional toppings: croutons, extra Parmesan shavings, bacon bits

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C).
  2. Rinse the romaine heads and cut them in half lengthwise, keeping the core intact. Pat dry thoroughly.
  3. Brush each romaine half lightly with olive oil on the cut side. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Place the romaine halves cut side down on the grill. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until grill marks appear and edges brown slightly.
  5. Flip the romaine halves and grill the other side for 1 to 2 minutes, softening outer leaves but keeping crunch.
  6. Remove romaine from grill and transfer to a serving platter, cut side up. Let rest for a minute or two.
  7. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until smooth. Add water if dressing is too thick.
  8. Drizzle or spoon the creamy dressing over the grilled romaine halves, allowing it to pool in crevices. Add optional toppings if desired.
  9. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of warm, smoky lettuce with cool, tangy dressing.

Notes

Dry the lettuce thoroughly before grilling to avoid steaming. Use enough olive oil to prevent sticking and develop char. Serve dressing on the side or drizzle just before eating to keep lettuce crisp. For vegan version, substitute vegan mayo and nutritional yeast for Parmesan, omit anchovy paste.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled romaine, Caesar salad, creamy dressing, smoky salad, easy salad recipe, grilled lettuce, backyard cookout, quick salad

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/crispy-grilled-romaine-caesar-salad-recipe-with-easy-creamy-dressing/