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    Home » Main Dishes » Salads/Dressings

    Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan

    Published: May 13, 2015 · Modified: Mar 3, 2023 by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan has a nice, smoky flavor and is delicious with a simple vinaigrette. A great lunch salad! 

    Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan on a plate

    Am I late to the grilled romaine party? Is this a thing that everyone forgot to tell me about?

    All I know is, I recently tried it for the first time at a restaurant and had to make my own version at home. Now, I want this grilled romaine with toasted walnuts and Parmesan every day.

    Where has it been all my life?

    plate of Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan with fork and knife

    In case you're as clueless as I was mere weeks ago, when you grill romaine hearts, they get a delicious, smoky flavor that makes you weak in the knees. (This is a proven fact, based on my careful experimentation.)

    I mean, it turns plain lettuce into the showstopping star of your meal. And, the romaine gets gorgeous grill lines!

    overhead view of Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan on a plate

    All I did was brush my indoor grill pan with olive oil, heat it on medium high, and throw on the romaine hearts for three minutes per side (six minutes total). Then, I added toasted walnuts (they take two minutes in a pan on the stove), shaved Parmesan, and the simplest of vinaigrettes.

    You could even try this with Lemon-Infused Olive Oil.

    Yum!!!

    Have you ever tried grilled romaine? 

    More salads to enjoy

    • The Best Italian Green Salad with Homemade Dressing
    • Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Pancetta
    • Apple Mozzarella Pecan Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
    • Easy Breaded Scallops over Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

    And, if you love walnuts, don't miss this Creamy Walnut Sauce for Pasta. And check out my collection of 33 Italian Side Dishes!

    Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan on a plate

    Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan

    Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan has a nice, smoky flavor and is delicious with a simple vinaigrette. A great lunch salad!
    5 from 3 votes
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    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Italian-American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 250kcal
    Author: Mamma C

    Ingredients

    Salad

    • 2 whole romaine hearts (the inner leaves of a head of romaine)
    • ¼ cup shelled walnuts
    • olive oil to brush on grill pan or grill
    • 10-12 shavings of fresh Parmesan cheese

    Vinaigrette

    • ⅛ cup olive oil
    • ⅛ cup white balsamic vinegar
    • garlic powder to taste
    • salt to taste
    • black pepper to taste
    US Customary - Metric
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    Instructions

    • Carefully rinse the romaine hearts and pat them dry with paper towels. Trim off just the dark edge of each root end, making sure to leave the romaine hearts intact.
    • Roughly chop your walnuts and place them in a small pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Stir them around for two minutes, just until they become fragrant. Remove the pan from the heat.
    • Brush your grill pan with olive oil and heat it (or your outdoor grill) on medium high. When the grill is hot, add the romaine hearts and cook them for three minutes before flipping them over. Cook the romaine for three minutes longer, turning if needed to get it browned all around.
    • While the romaine is cooking, use a vegetable peeler to shave off pieces of Parmesan and set them aside.
    • To make your vinaigrette, whisk the olive oil, vinegar and seasonings in a small container. Serve the romaine topped with the walnuts, Parmesan and some dressing.

    Notes

    I've found it's easier to buy a package of romaine hearts, because they are cleaner than a head of romaine. If you are starting with a head of romaine, remove the outer leaves and any wilted leaves until you find the hearts in the middle.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 361mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 9840IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1.6mg
    Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!

    (Recipe Source: Inspired by a grilled romaine salad I ate in an Italian restaurant. I added the toasted walnuts.)

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tammy Renea @SanPasqualsKitchen

      May 24, 2015 at 7:24 am

      This looks wonderful. I've never had this before, but I will definitely give it a try. Simple things are often the best things. I love finding new food to love. It makes me wonder what else is out there that can excite my food palate. Thanks for another great recipe!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        May 24, 2015 at 9:06 am

        I know what you mean, Tammy! I can't believe it took so long for me to discover grilled romaine. I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    2. Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser

      May 13, 2015 at 10:29 pm

      Hi Andrea, yes I love Romaine hearts grilled with Greek Olive Oil and crumbles of feta that melts when taken off the grill, add a dash of salt and pepper and away I go!!! Love you discovered it! I am a big fan of butter lettuce, red bibb lettuce, frisee, many! I eat a salad almost everyday with fruit, nuts, greens, veggies, etc. Woo Hoo for YOU!!!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        May 14, 2015 at 7:56 am

        Oooh, melting crumbles of feta! I need to try that next. Thanks, Cheryl!

        Reply
    3. Annie @ ciaochowbambina

      May 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm

      5 stars
      This looks delicious, Andrea! I've never tried it before but I will, now! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        May 13, 2015 at 4:59 pm

        I think you'll love it, Annie! I had no idea what I've been missing.

        Reply

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    I'm Andrea, also known as Mamma C. I share family-tested recipes from my Italian-American kitchen. I hope you'll visit often! Read More…

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