If you’ve never grilled lettuce before, you are about to have your world flipped upside down! This grilled romaine lettuce with parmesan cheese is a favorite side dish recipe for grilling season around here. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar drizzled over the top just takes these grilled hearts of romaine to a whole new level.
While you may have never considered grilling romaine lettuce before, I need you to trust me on this one. A short few minutes on a hot grill transforms a relatively bland green into something with depth of flavor that you will want to make over and over again.
What Does Grilled Romaine Taste Like?
When romaine hearts are grilled, their natural sugars caramelize on the outside so it becomes much sweeter. Plus, you get that delicious of smokiness from the open flame of your grill. The outside of the lettuce softens a bit but the inside is still firm.
How to Grill Romaine Hearts
The key to grilling romaine hearts is to be sure your grill is hot to start so they can caramelize quickly instead of a slow cook where they would get mushy. Keep the lid open to keep the sear and char intense on the outside without overcooking the inside of the lettuce.
What is the Difference Between Romaine Lettuce and Romaine Hearts?
Simply, romaine hearts are the center of a head of romaine lettuce. The hearts are lighter in color, sweeter, and more tender than the outer leaves of a head of romaine lettuce. They are also sturdier which makes them perfect for grilling.
Grilled Romaine Lettuce with Parmesan Cheese Video
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Make it a Meal – Dishes to Pair with Grilled Romaine
- The PERFECT Juicy Hamburger
- Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers
- Basil Lime Chicken on the Grill or in the Oven
- Grilled Thai Pork Skewers
Looking for More Romaine Recipes?
Caesar Salad 
Avocado BLT Salad
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A super easy grilled side dish recipe that will make you a lover of grilled lettuce forever!
Ingredients
2 hearts of romaine
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat grill to medium high heat.
- Slice romaine in half lengthwise, keeping the stem intact. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle on the salt and pepper.
- Grill cut side down for 3-4 minutes until charred well. Flip and grill another 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Drizzle cut sides with vinegar and parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 half head
- Calories: 109
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 538 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: grilled side dish recipe, low carb side dish recipe
This recipe scared me at first but I really like it a lot! Thank you so much. I think next time I will grill them just a bit longer because I want the core to soften a bit.
★★★★★
It is definitely a bit “unique” to place something you have only ever eaten fresh on the grill! Nice job being brave 🙂
how long would you oven-broil the romaine to get the same result???
★★★★
Hey Bob! You will need to have the romaine just an inch or two away from the broiler, otherwise it will just bake. The time should be about the same. Keep an eye on it and look for that blackening on the surfaces.
Wow!I loved the flavor the grilling added to the lettuce. I want to try serving it chopped up after I grill it and then dress it with the vinegar and cheese.
★★★★★
Thank Shelly! I’ve thought about doing the same thing, specifically to make it easier for my kiddos to eat. That, and setting a half head of romaine in front of them always gets weird looks since it is salad in a form they aren’t used to 🙂