Grilled Wedge Salad

As a Health Coach and someone whose favorite foods are salads, this grilled wedge salad is one of my favorite side salads I have ever had. When I think summer sides I usually think macaroni salad, potato salad, or broccoli salad, but this might change your mind on summer favs.

This grilled salad has a nice char from the grill, yet is still crisp and delicious just like the typical steakhouse wedge salad you think of. It's a perfect dish for a warm summer day or a backyard barbecue, and it's incredibly easy to make. I love serving mine with my dairy-free ranch dressing, making for a refreshing and satisfying dish. Whether you're a vegetarian or a meat lover, this grilled salad is a great way to add some color and nutrition to your meal. So fire up your grill and let's get started!

Why You'll Love Love This Recipe

Something new: We all love a good side salad, but they can get boring. By grilling it you are adding a new level of flavors that mixes it up just enough to keep you excited about salads all summer long.

Easy to make: These only take about 3 minutes on the grill and doesn't require any special toppings that add additional time to cooking. Just throw it on the grill for a few minutes.

Make it your own: This salad is totally customizable for you and your family to make your own. If you like blue cheese dressing, use that and if you like radishes, add those. If you want to keep this plant based, leave off the bacon.

No clean up: There are no extra dished for this recipe because you are making it on the grill!

Ingredients You Will Need

Romaine Lettuce Hearts: This is the base of the salad. I like to use Romaine hearts instead of the full romaine head because they leaves are more tightly packed and don't burn as easily. Romaine lettuce is one of the leafy greens that is great for your heart! It is packed full of vitamin C, potassium and folate help lower cholesterol and decrease blood pressure.

Cherry tomatoes: This sweet little tomatoes are perfect for a grilled wedge salad because they add some acidity and also sweetness! They also pack a punch in the nutrition department too. They are full of lycopene, which is a powerful nutrient that helps fight inflammation and blood clotting.

Red onion: These give a nice crunch to the salad. Red onions are full of antioxidants which help fight inflammation. They also have folate, manganese, and some vitamin C. They are antibacterial, help digestion (for some), and can help reduce your risk of cancer.

Bacon: I like turkey bacon best, but any will do. I get my turkey bacon from Rastelli's, but if you are getting it from the store, be sure to check the ingredients for sugar content and other added ingredients that are unwanted. You can also add another form of protein to make this a full meal.

Dressing: I like to use my Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing, but you can also use blue cheese dressing if you are ok with some dairy.

Instructions

Preheat the grill to medium-low heat.

Cut the romaine hearts in half length-wise and wash. I just rinse the lettuce and make sure that it is completely dry before grilling. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Grill the romaine lettuce for about 3 minutes or until the lettuce started to get charred. If you are not using Romaine hearts, this may happen very quickly on the outer edges of the lettuce.

Top the lettuce with red onion, tomatoes, bacon, and your favorite dressing.

Grilled Salad Tips and Tricks

Serving tips: I eat this almost every night in the summer to get extra veggies it. Goes great with chicken, steak or pork. If you want to make it a full meal, double the salad size and add your favorite protein. It is best to eat it right away after grilling.

Washing tips: Be sure the lettuce is dry from washing it or it will steam the lettuce. Also be sure that it is thoroughly coated in olive oil before putting it on the grill.

Scaling: You can easily double or triple this recipe. I estimate one half of a romaine heart per person (unless they are very small) so just make enough to feed as many people as you need!

Recipe Variations

This recipe is already gluten-free and dairy-free (depending on the dressing that you use), however you can customize the salad to your liking. If you like cheese, add cheese or if you like almonds, add almonds.

If you cannot find Romaine hearts, you can also use iceberg lettuce, but this will cook VERY quickly so be sure not to walk away from your grill.

Storage Tips

I don't recommend storing the Grilled Salad after you have grilled it, however to keep your romaine lettuce fresher longer, I store mine in the container it came in with a paper towel.

FAQs About Grilled Salad

What other dressings can I use?

Any that you like! I like ranch dressing best on this type of salad, but a tangy vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing would be great too.

Can I do this inside?

Yes you can do this on a griddle inside or in a cast iron pan.

What grill do you use?

We love our BlackStone Grill, but this also works on any grill with grates, as well.

What is the proper way to eat a wedge salad?

The best way to eat a wedge salad is with a steak knife and a fork. Cut it into bite sized-pieces, grabbing a bite of each topping.

If you like this recipe be sure to rate and comment! If you like this recipe, you might also like this Chef's Salad.