Grilled Romaine Lettuce is easy to make and tastes incredible with some fresh tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. This is a delicious salad or side dish that can be made year-round.
It’s inspired by a fresh tomato bruschettta. For something similar, check out our Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad.
We came up with this recipe years ago visiting some friends in California, while trying to cook on someone else’s grill. We wanted to show our friends some easy ways to cook food on even the simplest of grills.
Setting up a simple kettle grill can be used for even our favorite recipes, like smoked tri-tip. While we were at it, we came up with this great side to pair – this Grilled Romaine Salad with Tomatoes and Basil.
This Grilled Romaine Lettuce Salad is a take on a traditional bruschetta with tomatoes and basil, but this is a more low carb version. Not that we’re switching to low carb around here. Believe me there are plenty of carbs in our lives. Instead, sometimes we just want a fresh salad to accompany our grilled meats.
This Grilled Romaine Salad is the perfect side dish or even makes a great appetizer if you swap the romaine for endive cups.
The topping can be made quickly by tossing together some fresh diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
How to Grill Romaine Lettuce
For grilling it’s important to choose a sturdy green like romaine because it can handle the heat without falling apart. Versus, say, butter lettuce.
- Prepare grill for direct cooking (get it nice and hot). Like 500 degrees hot.
- Cut your romaine heart in half lengthwise, then drizzle it with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Be sure if you rinse the greens, they are dry when applying the oil. It helps with making sure the grilled romaine lettuce is crispy versus wilting due to moisture.
- Grill both sides over direct high heat, for just a couple minutes each side.
- While the lettuce is grilling place a couple of lemons (cut in half) also on the grill to heat up. You’ll use these to squeeze over the finished salad.
What to do with Grilled Romaine Lettuce
Remove the lettuce from the grill and top with your tomato mix, and finish with some fresh squeezed grilled lemon and a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar. This will sub as an impressive topping (or “dressing”) for your salad.
If you’re serving this as a meal then plan on one half romaine heart per person (pictured below left). Or if you’re feeding a crowd and there are other vegetable options then just cut each half into smaller portions and guests can take as much or as little as they’d like (pictured to the right).
That’s it. Seriously. Grilled Romaine is that easy, and incredibly delicious.
More Salad Recipes for the Grill:
- Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Candied Pecans and Balsamic
- Black Bean Salad
- Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Flank Steak Salad
Grilled Romaine Lettuce with Tomatoes and Basil Recipe
Grilled Romaine Lettuce with Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
For the Grilled Romaine:
- 2 romaine hearts, halved lengthwise
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper, about ½ teaspoon each per half
- 2 lemons, halved
For the topping:
- 2 large beefsteak tomatoes, (Roma tomatoes work well too, but use 4-5 if using Roma, diced)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
- 3 tablespoons basil, sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tablespoon aged balsamic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- A pinch of fresh ground pepper, less than ¼ teaspoon
Instructions
For the Grilled Romaine:
- Prepare grill for direct heat grilling.
- Rinse and dry the romaine (it is important for the lettuce to be fully dry before you grill otherwise it may steam).
- Brush both sides of romaine with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Grill the romaine hearts on each side until lightly browned on both sides (about 2 minutes each side).
- While the romaine is grilling place the lemon halves on the grill about 4 minutes (until you see grill marks).
- Remove from heat, and top with the tomato basil mixture and a squeeze of fresh grilled lemon and a drizzle of aged balsamic.
For the Tomato Basil Salad:
- Place together tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, balsamic, salt and pepper, into a bowl and toss together.
This post was originally published in April, 2017, and updated in May, 2020, with updated details. The original recipe remains the same.
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Lindsay Ingalls says
I wish we had a grill because this salad sounds amazing!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
Oooh I love grilled romaine!! And with a tomato basil topping? Sounds like summer!
Mary says
It felt like summer in Southern California too. I’m sooooo ready for some nice weather here in Portland!!!
Renee @ The Good Hearted Woman says
We’ve only recently discovered the wonders of grilled romaine – it’s so good! I love the simplicity of this salad, too.
Pech says
After having grilled romaine, regular romaine just doesn’t cut it for me anymore… I’ll still eat it with Caeser, but wish it was a grilled salad instead and think about how much less dressing I would use because it would have so much more flavor
Mary says
I’m with you exactly! The flavor of grilled is fantastic, and yes it provides it’s own profile of flavors, making you need less dressing than you would if you just chopped up some cold romaine and tossed it with a dressing.
Create/Enjoy says
That all looks so fun!! I’ve *never* tried grilled lettuce but if you say it’s good, I love the idea!! I don’t like cold food making my hot food too cold so this would be a great base for other grilled food!
Mary says
If you wanted to skip the cold toppings, grilled romaine is also excellent with a warm dressing on it as well. You can just heat up your favorite dressing and drizzle it over. Also think about it with some warm blue or goats cheese! Mmmmmm.
Erin (Platings and Pairings) says
Look at you – Even working while you’re supposed to be on vacation!!! This looks absolutely fabulous and the perfect way to break in my grill for Spring!
Mary says
If we see a grill, especially a neglected one, we have to cook on it and give it some love 😉
Meredith says
This has me SO excited for summer! Grilled romaine may be half of my diet come June.
Mary says
You have no idea how ready and excited I am for summer! This winter has nearly tortured me. Bring on some sunshine and warm temps!
Michele says
This sounds so easy, healthy and delicious! I’m starting to collect grilling recipes for the summer and am adding this to the list!
Mary says
Awesome! It’s all three of those things; easy, healthy, and very delicious!