Lettuce might not be top of mind when it comes to grilling. I get it! A few years ago I too thought, “lettuce is so delicate, I just don’t think that will work. But after trying it, I understand why I was seeing it on restaurants everywhere. Because grilled romaine lettuce is amazing, and incredibly easy.
Without an ounce of effort, it turns lettuce into something so different and delicious. Hot and crisp, with browned ruffled edges. Tender on the inside, yet still some crunch to give.
A drizzle of good olive oil, a splash of bright lemon, and a dusting of fresh parmesan cheese. It’s the absolute perfect side to juicy grilled bone-in pork chops or Rotisserie Chicken on the Grill!
By Sam Sifton. Lettuces do nicely on the grill, softening slightly at their centers and charring beautifully at their tips. Their bitterness is a fine counterpart to the sweet spiciness of a lot of grilled foods. In this recipe, the dressing is Caesar-like.
Watch Video: How to Make Grilled Lettuce
This grilled lettuce technique is pretty much foolproof, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Most important: slice the head of lettuce VERTICALLY, think lengthwise. This keeps the leaves connected to the core, thus your leaves staying together, nice and firm.
- Make sure your grates are clean, and brush them with a little oil.
- Turn that grill up to medium high, no need to be shy. This will give the lettuce those beautiful sear marks and infuse a smokiness.
- Don’t forget the fresh lemon juice. This is key to making the natural flavors of the lettuce sing, and brightens the entire dish.
You can watch this Grilled Lettuce video to help guide you in making it as well!
This might just be the technique that turns your salad naysayers into believers. When I was filming this video with my friend, him hustling with the camera while I brushed, grilled, and ate, the least I could do was offer him was the of result of our work. I offered, and he hesitated…. “I’ll try it, but I don’t like lettuce.”
He took one bite, sat silent, and then… “Okay, I guess I like lettuce”. Three days later he texted me a picture of grilled lettuce, the starter to the dinner he had made for his girl. I’ll take that as a win. Hope you enjoy it just as much, xo.
How to Grill Lettuce
FAQ
Do people grill lettuce?
What does grilled lettuce taste like?
Why grilled romaine lettuce?
Can lettuce be cooked?
Is grilled lettuce Wilty & Hot?
Grilled lettuce gets a bad rap for being wilty and hot, which makes sense, because hot and wilty lettuce sounds pretty gross. But if cut and prepped correctly, certain greens are more than sturdy enough to stand up to a few minutes on a hot grill, and are all the better for it once they hit the plate.
How long do you cook grilled lettuce?
Grill for 3 minutes, cut side down, pressing with your tongs to make sure the lettuce gets a good sear. Flip and grill for 2 more minutes. Remove from grill. Sprinkle with a touch more salt and 4 grinds of fresh black pepper for each half, drizzle with remaining olive oil. Then squeeze fresh lemon juice over each half.
Why is grilled romaine lettuce so good?
Because grilled romaine lettuce is amazing, and incredibly easy. Without an ounce of effort, it turns lettuce into something so different and delicious. Hot and crisp, with browned ruffled edges. Tender on the inside, yet still some crunch to give. Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox.