Grilled Caesar Salad

Before becoming plant-based, my favorite salad of all time was a Caesar salad. In fact, 90% of the time, I ordered Caesar salad at my favorite restaurant. Once, while on vacation, I ordered my first grilled Caesar salad. Since becoming vegan, I learned to make a Skinny Vegan Caesar Salad, which I love, as well as my Vegan Kale Pasta Caesar Salad, but I had forgotten about grilled caesar salad, and since I had already mastered the Caesar dressing, I figured a grilled caesar salad recipe was in order. 

Typically, Caesar salad is made with Romaine lettuce, and croutons dressed in a dressing made of lemon juice, olive oil, egg, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. In its original form, this salad was prepared and served tableside.

Obviously, typical is not what we vegans are all about, so let’s make a grilled vegan caesar salad!

Because a grilled salad adds an element of elegance as well as a smoky grill flavor, this very quick and easy Caesar salad is a great way to add a little “fancy” to your dinner. 

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GRILLED CAESAR SALAD DRESSING

Since I was craving grilled caesar salad,  I chose to make my Skinny Vegan Caesar salad dressing, which is made with raw cashews. So, if you are avoiding nuts or you have an allergy, I do strongly suggest Maple Grove Farms Fat-Free Caesar Dressing. If you desire a raw dressing, and you eat nuts, you will LOVE this dressing:

VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING (MAKES 3/4-1 CUP)

• 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight, drained
• 1/4 cup water + 2 Tablespoons
• 3 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 small garlic clove (you can add another if you like it super potent)
• 1/2 Tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (I used Amy’s)
• 2 teaspoons capers
• 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt and pepper, or to taste

WHAT KIND OF LETTUCE SHOULD I USE FOR MY GRILLED CAESAR SALAD RECIPE?

Even though there are a variety of types of Romaine lettuce, you are looking for small, tightly packed Romaine lettuce. Unlike other salads, you are not going to wash and tear the lettuce away from its core. Instead, you simply wash the lettuce, attached to the core, and shake it to remove any excess water. 

Once washed, the lettuce is cut down the center lengthwise, leaving the core in place. Then, drizzle with fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

HOW TO GRILL ROMAINE LETTUCE

You need Romaine Lettuce to grill, but DO NOT separate the leaves. I bought organic lettuce. Wash without removing the leaves.

• Cut the entire head the long way in half.
• Turn the grill on medium heat.
• This process is quick; 2 minutes on the cut side only, and you need to watch it.
• Most recipes call for brushing it in oil, but you don’t need oil at all.
• Washing the lettuce gives it what it needs to be grilled without the oil.
• You are going to place it directly on the grill rack, or you can use a grill mat.
• Serve with tomatoes and croutons or any of your other favorite toppings. This is one of my favorites!

HOW TO MAKE HOME-MADE CRISPY OIL-FREE GARLIC CROUTONS

My husband, Paul,  said, “I could eat this every day,” so it is husband approved! 

LOVE SALAD AND WANT TO ADD MORE GREENS INTO YOUR PLAN? CHECK IT OUT!

• Lentil Salad
• Tabouli Salad
• Vegan Taco Salad
• Italian Chopped Salad
• Vegan Quinoa Salad
• Roasted Cauliflower Salad
• Fattoush Salad
• Harvest Salad

Yield: 4 servings

Grilled Caesar Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 minutes

Total Time: 14 minutes

Take your Vegan Caesar Salad to the next level of elegance by grilling your lettuce and with a few ingredients, you will be in salad heaven.

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Ingredients

• 2 heads tightly packed Romaine lettuce heads, cut lengthwise
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Oil-Free Garlic Croutons

• 4 slices Oil-free Multi-grain bread (or any bread of choice) FROZEN; gluten-free bread also works
• 1/4 cup aquafaba (chickpea fluid) or almond milk will work as well
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 3 teaspoons garlic salt
• 2 cloves minced, fresh garlic

Vegan Caesar Dressing

• 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight, drained
• 3 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 small garlic clove (you can add another if you like it super potent)
• 1/2 Tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (I used Amy's)
• 2 teaspoons capers
• 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt and pepper, or to taste

Additional Ingredients (Optional)

• 1/4 cup capers
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 1/2 cucumber, julienned
• Vegan Parmesan Cheese 

Instructions

PREPARE THE ROMAINE LETTUCE

1. Turn the grill on medium heat.
2. Cut the Romine lettuce heads intact, lengthwise
3. This process is quick; 2 minutes on the cut side only, and you need to watch it.
4. Most recipes call for brushing it in oil, but you don't need oil at all.
5. Washing the lettuce gives it what it needs to be grilled without the oil.
6. You are going to place it directly on the grill rack, or you can use a grill mat.
7. Serve with tomatoes and croutons or any of your other favorite toppings. This is one of my FAVORITE!

VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING

1. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender; blend until smooth
2. Place in an air-tight container and place in the refrigerator.
3. Vegan Caesar salad dressing will last in the refrigerator for 7 days.

OIL-FREE GARLIC CROUTONS

1. Freeze four pieces of bread
2. Place aquafaba in a small shallow bowl and use a basting brush to brush both sides of each piece of frozen bread
3. Cut each piece of bread (while frozen) into strips and then equal sized 1/2 inch cubes, or smaller, depending on what size you prefer
4. Place damp, frozen bread cubes a large ziplock bag or bowl
5. Combine seasonings, and add slowly to bag bread and shaking gently
   In a  Non-Stick Pan for Oil-Free Cooking, add fresh minced garlic and cook for 1 minute
6. Add all bread cubes, and cook on low
7. Allow the croutons to cool for several minutes before flipping with a spatula.
8. Continue to cook until crispy and crunchy.
9. Remove from heat.
10. Allow cooling
11. Move to a bowl for serving; leave uncovered until serving.

SERVING GRILLED VEGAN CAESAR SALAD

1. Place the grilled lettuce on each plate.
2. Remove the core of each head of lettuce y cutting the bottom and removing (this is optional)
3. Drizzle with dressing
4. Add garlic croutons
5. Add possible additional ingredients: sliced tomatoes, red onions, capers and cucumbers

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  RENOOK Grill Mat Set of 6 - 100% Non-Stick BBQ Grill Mats, Heavy Duty, Reusable, and Easy to Clean - Works on Electric Grill Gas Charcoal BBQ - 15.75 x 13-Inch, Black
• 
  Sanniti Spanish Capers Capotes in Vinegar and Salt Brine - 33.5 oz
• 
  NutriBullet Pro - 13-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System with Hardcover Recipe Book Included (900 Watts)
• 
  Annie's Organic Worcestershire Sauce Vegan 6.25 fl oz Bottle

Nutrition Information

Yield

4 servings

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 243Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 0mgSodium 594mgCarbohydrates 31gFiber 10gSugar 10gProtein 9g

Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.

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