grilled lettuce ideas

At Algarve, when the weather gets hot, we often turn to barbecue feasts and eat outdoors. This summer, we’re planning to grill out as often as possible. So, if you’re looking for a great grilled veggie this summer, you’re in luck! We introduce you to grilled romaine lettuce 🥬🔥.

Say hello to one of the easiest glow foods for the skin, body, and summer soul! Grilled romaine is a super-satisfying summer meal that’s ready in minutes. 

You might have never thought about grilling your romaine, right? I mean, why in the world would anyone want to grill lettuce? The answer’s pretty straightforward: grilled romaine lettuce is incredibly easy. It’s caramelised and crunchy on the exterior, soft on the inside, and it teams perfectly with almost any dressing.

We encourage you to try it! Are you ready to take your lettuce to the next level?

Is it normal to grill lettuce?

The real question is: What’s wrong with grilling lettuce? Absolutely nothing! Most of us are familiar with the grilled veggies standbys of asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, etc. But nearly any vegetable can be grilled, including lettuce. Grilling lettuce is more than just possible, and it’s delicious.

We recommend romaine for grilling because it favours enough structure and sturdiness for the grill. Additionally, romaine lettuce hearts are excellent for grilling because the sections remain together well when sliced down the middle.

Once you’ve tried grilled romaine, you may find it hard to have lettuce in any other way!

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3 reasons to grill lettuce this summer season

Texture and flavour

The grill is an unexpected yet delightful way to enhance the taste and texture of lettuce. Fragrant, with smoky charred edges, grilled romaine takes on a sweet flavour when grilled and a wonderful texture that’s simultaneously tender and crisp.

Romaine’s layered design makes it the ideal container for picking up smoke flavours from the grill and whatever dressing you choose to serve it with. Furthermore, grilling romaine lettuce over a flame transforms the light leaves into an almost-meaty vegetarian steak.

Grilled romaine is a game-changer!

Effortless

Grilled romaine makes a tasty base for salads and can be eaten almost solo. Without any effort, it turns lettuce into something so different, flavoursome. There’s no better summertime accompaniment. It’s healthy and will bring on your summer glow!

The romaine takes just a few minutes to cook. If you’re making a recipe, we advise having the other ingredients ready, so you can enjoy the romaine while it is still warm from the grill.

Healthy

Romaine lettuce has some incredible health benefits. It’s very high in minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Grilling romaine lettuce is beneficial—the next best thing after eating it raw. One hearty serving supplies you with vitamin A and vitamin C. So, go and enjoy this veggie all summer long!

How do you clean romaine lettuce before grilling?

Short prep work is required before your romaine lettuce is ready to be grilled. First, remove any white or wilted leaves from the head of lettuce. Next, fill a bowl with water deep enough to cover most of the lettuce, then vigorously swirl the water and agitate the lettuce. You want the moving water to shake the dirt out of the nooks and crannies in the leaves.

Lift the lettuce out of the water after 10 minutes, leaving the dirt and debris behind. Then, give the lettuce a soft shake to get the excess water off. Finally, wrap the romaine lettuce in a dry kitchen towel and shake it over the sink. The towel will absorb water as you shake, which will keep the lettuce from wilting.

Now your lettuce is ready to meet the grill!

How to grill romaine

Grilled romaine lettuce gets a poor rap for being droopy and hot. Instead of flopping over into an unappetising mess, well-grilled lettuce stays fresh and crisp to the bite—our easy way of grilling romaine lettuce ticks all the boxes and will make your life easier.

Scroll down if you want to learn how to surprise your family with something new and different!

  1. First, preheat the grill over medium-high heat.
  2. Next, cut the clean romaine hearts in half.
  3. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Place the romaine cut-side down on the grill, and grill for about 3 minutes until lightly charred.
  5. Finally, flip it over and grill for another minute or two on the other side.

Serve immediately with parmesan cheese and a splash of lemon. You can serve the hearts whole as a main or a side dish. ❤️‍🔥Grilled lettuce pairs perfectly with grilled sardines or any protein like meat or chicken. 

grilled romaine lettuce
We promise you’ll love the flavour! Photo credits: simplyrecipes.com

You can also chop the hearts and toss them into a salad. If you add some protein to it, grilled lettuce salad can turn into a light, wholesome feast, like Ceasar Salad. Grilled romaine lettuce is such a simple way to make a salad really special!

🔥 LOOKING FOR MORE SUMMER RECIPES? Here are some other delicious options to try out this season! 

The best tips to grill lettuce

  • Slice the head of lettuce vertically. This keeps the leaves connected to the core. Therefore the leaves stay together, nice and firm.
  • You can also cut larger romaine hearts into quarters.
  • Be sure your grill is hot to start so they can caramelise quickly instead of a slow cook where they would get mushy.
  • Make it Vegan: Sub pumpkin seeds or sesame seeds for the parmesan.
  • For the dressing, grilled romaine pairs well with citrus or different types of vinegar, like balsamic vinegar or a simple cilantro vinaigrette.

The best grills to grill lettuce

And where are you going to grill your romaine? Our experts recommend:

Surprise your guests with grilled romaine lettuce the next time you entertain. It’s, without a doubt, a jaw-dropper crowd pleaser. We hope you enjoy it just as much as we do! Let us know in the comments.

The main photo of this post is from Justine snacks.

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