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Home » Recipes » Salads

Seared Romaine with Cheater Caesar’s Dressing

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: May 6, 2025 | Published: May 20, 2016
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Seared or grilled romaine gives big flavor to the tender, soft lettuce leaves, paired here with an easy cheater’s Caesar salad dressing.

A small white pitcher pouring dressing over a grilled Caesar salad


 

Have you ever had grilled or seared romaine?

It’s ah-may-zing.

A whole new vegetable opens up to you before your very eyes when those big stalks of romaine lettuce are charred up perfectly.

I just... you just gotta… you really need to...

I mean, not to be demanding, but it’s kind-of a must.

An array of seasoned strips of romaine lettuce
Romaine strips seared in a saute pan with browned spots showing

And this is coming from the one who more often than not just makes this super simple spinach salad and calls it a day.

So you know I'm keeping this as easy as possible.

This salad is ready to go in 15 minutes, including the homemade dressing, which is a ridiculously simple (read: cheater’s version) of Caesar salad dressing.

Mine has no anchovies and no egg yolks, but it doesn't skimp on flavor.

Seared romaine with Parmesan cheese displayed on a white platter

This dressing is rich with the background of olive oil and Parmesan cheese, plus the depth of flavor that comes from adding Worcestershire sauce. It's also got bright lemony citrus flavor to balance it.

Seriously good eats.

(As always, I fully support you taking shortcuts so if you want to use a store-bought dressing, absolutely do that.)

Normally I sear the romaine in a pan because it's so easy. It absolutely gets the same great seared flavor on the leaves and wilts beautifully.

Or if you have a grill, that works too. I share notes and details in the recipe card below for that as well.

Grilled romaine Caesar salad with Parmesan and lemon

Give this seared or grilled romaine salad a go on Memorial Day weekend, for your next burger night or just on the stove indoors as a quick summer side dish.

It's lettuce taken to the next level.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

A platter with charred romaine leaves with shaved Parmesan cheese on top and a lemon wedge to the side.
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4.37 from 19 votes

Seared Romaine with Cheater Caesar’s Dressing

Seared or grilled romaine leaves have such great flavor and are paired here with a simple Caesar salad dressing.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the romaine salad:

  • 2 large heads of romaine lettuce
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Caesar dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • zest and juice of ½ lemon
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 2-3 dashes Worchestershire sauce

For serving (optional):

  • Parmesan shavings or extra grated Parmesan
  • Croutons

Instructions

  • Cut romaine stalks in half lengthwise, keeping the ends intact so each half stays together.
  • Brush both sides of the romaine with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Place the brushed romaine stalks cut-side down and sear for 3-4 minutes, until well-browned. Then flip and cook on the other side for another 2-3 minutes until browned and the romaine is slightly wilted. (You may need to work in batches, depending on how much you make, if it won’t all fit in your pan. See the notes below if you want to grill it instead.)
  • Meanwhile, make the Caesar dressing: Combine all ingredients in a small jar and shake vigorously. You can also whisk everything together in a bowl.
  • Serve seared romaine with the dressing and Parmesan shavings and croutons, if desired.

Notes

Grill: You can also grill the romaine on a grill pan or outside. Preheat the grill to 400 and grease the grates with an oil-soaked towel. Grill about 3 minutes per side, until well-browned.
Dressing: The dressing is chunky due to the Parmesan cheese and minced garlic. You can spoon it over the grilled romaine if it’s not pouring out well.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1011mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food

    May 20, 2016 at 7:48 am

    I've never tried grilled lettuce before, but looks delicious. Love your dressing. Pinned 🙂 What is it about caesar salad this is so appealing? Just love that stuff. Your little girl is so adorable! So cute eating her cupcake. Treasure every moment, right? Have a lovely weekend, Kathryn! xo

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 20, 2016 at 10:34 am

      You've got to Dawn - you will LOVE it! And yes, I'm sure trying to slow down and treasure the moments 🙂 Happy weekend!

      Reply
  2. Liz - Meal Makeover Mom

    May 20, 2016 at 8:46 am

    Oh WOW. I have never seared romaine lettuce but I've had grilled romaine before. I am SO going to try this. Looks refreshing and delicious. I think this may just become my go-to summer salad!! I mean it 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 20, 2016 at 10:34 am

      Thanks Liz! It's so easy and the flavor is crazy good! Perfect summertime side 🙂

      Reply
  3. Adina

    May 20, 2016 at 9:28 am

    Your little girl is so pretty!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 20, 2016 at 10:35 am

      Aww, thanks Adina! She's a keeper 😉

      Reply
  4. Laura

    May 20, 2016 at 5:14 pm

    I love this! My daughter just turned 5 in January and your 'SO right...it's like a whole new chapter in their sweet little lives! Time is against us mommas who want our kids to stay babies forever! <3 I'm SO excited to try this salad and dressing...you left out the two ingredients in Caesar salad dressing that prevent me from ever making it at home! YAY! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 21, 2016 at 10:18 am

      Aw, you're right there with me! It's amazing to watch them grow and become their own people, isn't it? And I'm so happy to help bring back Caesar salad dressing to your life 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet

    May 20, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    Seared and grilled romaine is seriously the best!! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 21, 2016 at 10:18 am

      Isn't it?! Thanks Lauren! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Ludmilla

    May 20, 2016 at 10:17 pm

    I love the title of your post... lol I love grilled romaine!!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 21, 2016 at 10:19 am

      Haha, thanks Ludmilla! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kate @ Framed Cooks

    May 21, 2016 at 6:43 am

    I absolutely LOVED grilling romaine lettuce (once you try it, it's hard to go back!) and now I have to try it with your super smart dressing! Hurray for summer grilled salad season!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 21, 2016 at 10:20 am

      Absolutely - hard to go back once you know how great it is! So happy for grilling season 🙂

      Reply
  8. Anne

    May 21, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Ohhh how creative!! Love the dressing 😀

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 21, 2016 at 2:04 pm

      Thanks Anne! It's a summer must!

      Reply
  9. Rebecca Lovatt

    May 22, 2016 at 8:27 am

    This likes something you could try on the BBQ too. Thanks, I'd never thought of serving lettuce like this 🙂 Becky at zeroguardiet.com

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 22, 2016 at 6:06 pm

      Yes, it's great for the grill! And brings SO much flavor to a salad! Hope you try it!

      Reply
  10. Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry

    May 22, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    Oh Kathryn, so many mixed emotions! Very exciting that M is now five, but I can completely understand why it would upset you too. An exciting new era surely is on the horizon, full of new milestones 😀 You sound like a proud mumma, and for good reason 🙂 As for this salad, I had never thought of grilling lettuce, but since romaine has a thick texture I can see why this would work and be so delicious! x

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 22, 2016 at 6:12 pm

      Aw, thanks Lisa! And you've absolutely gotta try grilling or pan-searing your romaine next time - a whole new world! XXOO

      Reply
  11. Winnie

    May 22, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    How unique!!
    I love lettuce (make a huge lettuce salad almost every day) but never thought of grilling them.
    I'd so want to try this recipe

    Reply
  12. Kathryn

    May 22, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    Thanks Winnie! You've gotta give it a go - it's addictive!!

    Reply
  13. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

    May 25, 2016 at 7:47 am

    Oh wow! I want to add this to my weekend menu. Looks so good.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      May 25, 2016 at 9:41 am

      Thanks Julie! It's perfect for summer and grilling season!

      Reply
  14. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

    June 02, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    Well I've heard of grilled, but seared sounds just fabulous as well!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      June 02, 2016 at 9:29 pm

      Thanks Rebecca! It is just as fabulous, and a tad bit easier 🙂

      Reply
  15. Maria

    August 10, 2018 at 9:22 am

    Quick question....could I grill the lettuce ahead of time?

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      August 10, 2018 at 11:28 am

      Hi Maria, I always serve this salad with the lettuce warm or at room temperature. So you could maybe make it a little bit ahead and just let it sit out. But I'm not sure about doing it way in advance and refrigerating the grilled lettuce - that could affect the taste and texture. Hope that helps!

      Reply
4.37 from 19 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

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