Grilled Romaine Wedge Salad

Starting March with this refreshing Grilled Wedge Salad. This Wedge Salad is made of grilled romaine topped with marinated cucumber, tomatoes,  crumbled blue cheese, a drizzle of hot sauce, and homemade creamy ranch dressing. With perfect charred smoky flavor, this Wedge Salad is way more than just-a-lettuce-wedge-salad.  It looks pretty, is filling, and ideal salad-for-dinner. Gluten-Free, Keto-Friendly, Nuts-free. 

To those who don’t believe in cooked romaine lettuce... You will be surprised that grilled romaine lettuce is in-fact more delicious than raw lettuce. In-fact, if you controlling diet and eating salads-for-dinner... This is The salad for you. It is filling and will not even feel like a salad. 

Tip: Add some diced chicken, and it is Buffalo Chicken Romaine Wedge Salad. Sound Delicious! Isn't it?

Also sharing tips for cooking perfect grilled romaine wedges with the right amount of char and smoky grill (BBQ) flavor, and yet crisp greens.  Oh, and don't worry if it is snowing outside, you can still eat a grilled romaine salad. (more on this ahead)

So, let's put some Romaine Lettuce on the grill today and try this fantastic Grilled Romaine Wedge Salad!

WHAT IS A WEDGE SALAD?

Wedge Salad is an elegant and quick lettuce salad. It is kinda salad you would eat with a knife and fork as oppose to fork-only.

Three things make a classic Wedge Salad. 1) Wedges of Iceberg Lettuce, 2) Creamy Dressing, and 3) Toppings. Instead of chopping-up greens, crisp lettuce is cut into wedges, flavored with creamy dressing and toppings. This Grilled Romaine Lettuce Wedge Salad recipe is an upgrade to classic Wedge Salad. I replace Iceberg lettuce with crisp romaine lettuce hearts and also grill'em for more flavor. I love it so much that these days when I crave for a Wedge Salad... I often reach for Romaine Lettuce Hearts in-place of Iceberg. 

WHAT IS IN GRILLED ROMAINE WEDGE SALAD?

1) GRILLED ROMAINE LETTUCE WEDGES:

Grilled Romaine Lettuce Wedges pick-up smoky charred grill flavor, then topped with marinated cucumber, tomato, creamy dressing, and blue cheese makes it a tasty salad no one can resist.

First time I tried Grilled Wedge Salad from Food Network show. It was quite intriguing because I had never thought to cook lettuce. These days, I’m a believer! Grilled Romaine Wedges make on of the best Romaine Wedge Salad. Everyone must try it once to know how much flavor cooked lettuce picks up from grill. 

I cut each romaine heart into two wedges lengthwise. You can also make traditional 4 wedges. But 2 wedges stand upright better than 4 small ones. Also, large wedges handle grill heat better than small 4 wedges.

HOW TO GRILL PERFECT ROMAINE WEDGES FOR SALAD:

You can grill romaine on an outdoor grill or indoor on a griddle pan or under the broiler. So don't worry if it is snowing outside, you can actually eat a Grilled  Romaine Wedge Salad any season of the year. 

How much to grill/cook lettuce for wedge salad depends on your liking and cooking method. I like to grill only romaine-heart part of whole romaine. The romaine hearts get good charred and are partly cooked. The leafy edges still stay bright and crisp. This helps to get perfect amount of smoky grill flavor and green in one salad. You can also grill whole romaine for more charred romaine salad.  

Grilled Romaine: To grill, on an outdoor grill (or indoor on gas griddle), pre-heat grill to medium. Cut lettuce into half lengthwise yielding two wedges. Drizzle crispy heart part of romaine with olive oil, and sprinkle salt on each wedge. Put cut side down on medium-low side of grill. Let the leafy green hand outside on the edge of grill and only hearts touch the grill. This way, harts will be grill but leafy green will still be perfect green. Grill until romaine is slightly charred but still firm. For better flavor, don't let romaine cook entirely or wilt.

Note: You can also cut romaine into quarter wedges, but this will need less cooking time.

Broiled Romaine: To broil, cut romaine lettuce into wedges. Place cut side up on a sheet pan in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle salt. Place wire rack the second shelf from the top. Set oven to broil on high. Broil romaine for 1-2 minutes. If you like more char, leave a little longer under the broiler (about 30 seconds to a minute). Please note romaine is delicate leafy vegetable. It will go from broil to char very quickly. For best results, keep a close eye. Check every 30 seconds until romaine have perfect char.

2) DRESSING:

For me, dressing makes a salad. I'm always on the hunt for new dressings to make my salads crave-worthy. (That, my friends, is not easy to say for a healthier food like salad.)

In general, creamy dressings go really well with lettuce salads. 

1. Vegetarian Caesar Dressing
2. Ranch Sauce Dressing
3. Tahini Sauce
4. Blue Cheese Dressing

HINT: Try Caesar Dressing for a Romaine Wedge Caesar Salad. Tahini for Mediterranean Wedge Salad. 

Tip: If you trying to save some calories, go for non-creamy vinaigrette dressing such as Balsamic Vinaigrette or a low-cal creamy dressing. 

3) TOPPINGS:

Romaine wedges are a great base for variety to delicious toppings. This is a vegetarian salad. So, I added marinated cucumber, tomato, and scallions with crumbled blue cheese. For serving of protein or a salad-for-dinner, I recommend topping the salad with a serving of protein. You can cook these over the weekend (especially chicken) and refrigerate to use the whole week.

Protein

• Chipotle Shrimp
• Blackened Chicken
• Honey Lemon Chicken
• Chicken Souvlaki
• Crispy Turkey Bacon
• Grilled Halloumi Cheese

More Toppings:

Any topping you use for a regular romaine salad works for Grilled Romaine Wedge Salad:

1. Garlic Croutons
2. Parmesan Cheese or Cheddar Cheese
3. Crispy Onion Strings
4. Cherry Tomato
5. Berries such as Strawberries, Blue Berries.

If you love Romaine Lettuce, this will be your favorite salad all season long. Simple, easy to put together. Above all, you can even grill romaine indoor in simple cast iron grilling pan. Plus it looks so pretty, is healthy and filling. What not to like?

Romaine Wedge Salad always makes a statement when I serve this to my guests. Pictures tell the story. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we do.

Wish you a beautiful day ahead.