Forget everything you know about boring salads! This Grilled Romaine Salad with Buttermilk Herb Dressing is about to transform your culinary world, turning an ordinary leafy green into a smoky, charred masterpiece that will have your taste buds dancing. Imagine taking crisp romaine lettuce and giving it a bold, flame-kissed makeover that elevates a simple side dish into a restaurant-worthy sensation. Get ready to impress your guests and challenge everything you thought you knew about salad preparation!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, halved
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (e.g., dill, parsley)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for grilling
Instructions
- Prepare the grill or a grill pan by preheating to medium-high heat (around 400-450°F). Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Wash the romaine lettuce heads thoroughly and pat dry with clean kitchen towels. Trim the root end slightly, keeping the lettuce halves intact.
- Brush the romaine halves lightly with olive oil, ensuring even coverage. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides.
- For the buttermilk herb dressing, combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, and finely chopped fresh herbs in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the romaine halves cut-side down on the hot grill. Grill for 2-3 minutes until light char marks appear and the lettuce begins to wilt slightly.
- Carefully flip the romaine halves and grill the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat when edges are slightly charred and lettuce is warm.
- Transfer the grilled romaine to serving plates, keeping the halves intact. Drizzle generously with the prepared buttermilk herb dressing.
- Serve immediately while the lettuce is still warm, optionally garnishing with additional fresh herbs or cracked black pepper.
Tips
- • Always preheat your grill or grill pan to ensure those perfect char marks • Pat the romaine lettuce completely dry before oiling to prevent steaming • Use a high-heat tolerant olive oil for grilling • Don't walk away during grilling - romaine cooks quickly and can burn easily • Keep the lettuce halves intact for a beautiful presentation • Serve immediately after grilling to maintain the warm, slightly wilted texture • Experiment with different fresh herbs in your dressing for unique flavor profiles • For indoor cooking, a cast-iron grill pan works wonderfully if you don't have an outdoor grill
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 90kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 10mg
