This post was originally published here May 20, 2015. I’ve since updated the text and photographs. Next time your grilling your dinner, go ahead and grill your salad too!
Big F*cking Salads aren’t just limited to a single season. But if they were, Summer would most definitely be it.
So as you can imagine, I’m as happy as a clam right now. Because Summer produce is abundant. Which means it’s just day after day after day of BFS’s (and ice cream!). What else could a girl ask for?
This Grilled Romaine Salad with Corn and Avocado was my first BFS that really became popular (or “went viral” as the kids say these days). But after a couple years, it kind of fell by the wayside and eventually became a victim of the blog archives. Womp womp.
But today I’m bringing it back. Bigger and better than ever before!
My first ever encounter with a grilled salad was met with great skepticism. I was pretty convinced it was going to be gross. Like, wouldn’t the lettuce end up all wilted and mushy??? But nope. I was wrong. And once I was brave enough to take a bite, I was immediately hooked on the idea.
The key to making a great grilled salad is simple: don’t get too overzealous with the grilling. A couple of minutes of cooking time is all you need. Resist the urge to do more. Because any longer and you’ll end up with a sad, limp salad. And we don’t want to go there.
The grilled romaine lettuce halves serve as the base for this salad. They are then topped with a combination of grilled corn (sliced off the cob), diced avocado and fresh basil. And drizzled with a homemade dressing that I consider to be one of the most delectable, spoon-licking, irresistible salad dressings that I make. Seriously. Don’t skip out on making this dressing. It’s made with lemon juice, maple syrup, miso paste, mirin and garlic. It’s a wonderful combination of umami flavors. Basically, it’s dressing nirvana.
Another other fun, “non-traditional” grillables I need to know about? Let me know in the comments!
Cheers,
Liz
Grilled Romaine Salad with Corn and Avocado
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 1/2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon mirin or rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
For the Salad:
- 2 ears of corn, husks and silk removed
- 1/2 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1 head romaine lettuce, sliced in half lengthwise
- About 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients for the dressing to the bowl of your food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Process until smooth. Set aside.
- Pre-heat your grill to medium-high. Add the corn and cook on all sides until some of the kernels have started to blacken, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the corn from the grill and set it aside. Once it’s cool enough to handle, slice the kernels off the cob and place them in a medium bowl.
- Add the diced avocado, basil, salt and pepper to the bowl with the corn kernels. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon of the dressing and toss gently to combine. Set aside.
- Brush the cut sides of the romaine lettuce with some of the olive oil. Then place the romaine lettuce directly on your grill grates, cut-side down. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until some of the leaves start to blacken around the edges. Remove the romaine lettuce from the grill and place each half cut-side up on a serving plate.
- Drizzle the romaine lettuce with some of the dressing. Then top with the corn/avocado mixture. Enjoy immediately.
nice stuff with corn http://www.minedine.com
Thank you!
I can’t believe Memorial Day is almost here! This year is flying by way too fast. But I am SO loving this salad, Liz! Corn is one of my favorite veggies to add and grilling the romaine is such a good idea! Looks amazing!
I know. I’m perpetually behind! Glad you love the salad, Gayle!
Ha! Isn’t it funny how we know every single holiday is coming up because of blogs blogging about them? Well, glad you got this salad up before the weekend. It looks stellar!
Thanks, Sarah! Good think for the internet!
I neverrrrr grilled salad until a few months back and it was totally life changing! Salad has always been really meh for me, nothing special and I never craved it. But, after grilling it it’s all I ever really wanted for months on it, love it!
It’s amazing how good it is! Love it!
Seriously I am drooling. Fantastic salad
Awesome! Thanks, Kathy!
Grilled salads are a summer favorite at our house! I was skeptical at first too, but tried it several years ago after Alton Brown said it would be ok. Yours are perfect with the corn avocado combo. And the miso dressing = WIN!
Oh well anything that Alton Brown says is totally OK with me too! Ha!
UGH you make grilled romaine look heeeeeeavenly with all that corn and avo! I know what I want all weekend long!
Thanks, girl!
It’s been sooooo long since i’ve had grilled romaine!!! what a fabulous recipe to share this week! and love the corn-avocado mixture! for me, corn + avocado is as good as chocolate + peanut butter. Winning!
Oh yeah. I’m always feeling the corn + avocado combo too! Let’s have that for lunch and then PB + chocolate for dessert!
Oh gosh I forgot too until this week. It’s just so soon…anyways…I will take this salad anyday!!
I know. Summer is flying by and it’s barely even started! Ugh!
I haven’t tried grilled lettuce before but I think you convinced me! Pinning!
And I am so behind on the whole Memorial Day holiday too. Whoops.
Let me know how you like it, Mariah!
Yay!! Grilled romaine! I’ve not done it, but look forward to whippin out my grill pan for this one… along with your sweet potatoes! Yum! Romaine is an incredible sturdy and mild lettuce.. and one that I love! And that salsa with miso sounds fabulous! This recipe is perfect for summer, Liz! Thank you, and have a fantastic weekend!! <3
Thanks, Traci! I know you’ll love the grilled romaine! XO
This salad looks to die for! I loooove avocado and that corn looks heavenly 🙂
Thanks, Medha! Glad you love it!
Liz, you’re killing me here! This looks like EXACTLY what I want to eat this very second. Too bad I can’t get my hands on a grill right about now 🙂 Looks heavenly!
Amy!! I’m so happy you’re loving everything lately! And you better get yo self a grill! 🙂
This looks like the perfect summer meal!
Thanks, Rachel! Let me know if you try it out!
I’m loving your grilling streak. Getting lots of great ideas 🙂 This looks delicious!
Thanks, Jennifer! Glad I can provide some inspiration!
You already had me at the maple in the dressing, but adding miso! You are totally my hero! I alway order grilled caesars, but I have never grilled lettuce myself, nor thought of mixing it up the way you have here! You crazy cat! Lol. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
Oh you are going to love it! I hope you get to grill up some lettuce this weekend!
Liz, this is the salad of my DREAMZ! I currently do not own a grill or a grill pan, but I’m so going to have to borrow one from somebody so I can make this salad. So perfect for Memorial Day! 🙂
Oh yeah, you gotta fix that ASAP Beth! Ha ha!
I’ve never tried grilled romaine before, but I need to get onboard with grilling more things! This looks so fantastic, Liz! Plus it’s perfect for grilling for the holiday too 🙂
Thanks, Danielle! I hope you try it. I think you’ll love it! XO
I can’t believe how quickly this month is flying by too! Love that you grilled romaine! It looks beyond incredible!!
Awww..thanks, Kelly!
Grilled romaine is my favorite and the flavor just explodes! Next time I’m adding the corn and avocado!
Oh yeah. It’s all about the toppings really! 🙂
Memorial Day really snuck up on us this year didn’t it? I still haven’t tried making a grilled salad, but this one looks so good, I want to make it right away! 🙂
Oh I just know you’ll love it! And yes, everything seems to sneak up on me these days! I’m always one step behind!
Now, that is my kind of boat! I’ll tell ya what…you northeasterners do it right, man!
Oh yeah. We know what’s up! For sure! XO
I absolutely love grilled salads — that fresh, smoky flavor is so delicious! And the corn and avocado seal the deal! 🙂
Thanks, Marcie! The deal is sealed for sure! 🙂
This sounds so delicious!
Christine | http://www.DimesandDonuts.com
Thank you, Christine! I hope you try it out!
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What a great recipe! I have also been skeptical to grill romaine. I will definitely be trying this very soon. It’s also fun that you can really put on any topping that you’d like! I would definitely like to try the corn and avocado. Grilling heirloom tomatoes to put on the top sounds great as well! Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks for the great compliment, Dana! And I love your idea of grilled tomatoes too. I’m going to do that next time!
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This salad/dressing combo is INCREDIBLE!!!! I cannot say how much we loved it! Will be making again and recommending!
Yay! That’s great to hear, Nicole! So glad you loved it!
This was so delicious! Next time I make it, I’ll chop up the grilled romaine and toss together with corn and avocado. I’m definitley bringing this to a bbq this summer!
Oh that’s awesome to hear, Jackie! And yes, I do that too sometimes. Good to just throw it all in a big bowl and go crazy! 🙂
Liz, I don’t have the words to thank you and your tongue for their expertise in flavor and food. Your recipes have gotten me through break ups, everyday, vigorous rehearsals, impressing friends and loved ones…the list goes on and on. There aren’t that many people that I have the full confidence that I can trust every single recipe on their website and you’re it! I, and so many others are so grateful for your generosity!!
Just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge your wonderfulness.
Q: what would you recommend pairing with this delicious dish? I’m a dancer and always need to some solid protein for my muscles. Any thoughts?
Thank you always!
Lots of love,
Arlen 🙂
Awww that’s so wonderful to hear, Arlen! I love that.
I think some grilled shrimp would be a great way to round out this dish!
Truly appreciate the way you made this wonderful salad.Looking forward for more such delicious recipes in future too. Thanks.
thank you!
LOVE this reshare, Liz! It’s perfect in every way RN!!
Thanks, Traci!
Love this Grilled Romaine Salad with Corn and Avocado, this seems so amazing, will love to try this . Thanks for sharing this one with us.
Glad you love it!