Grilled Romaine Salad with Homemade Ranch

July 29, 2013
Food,Recipes

My day to day meals are usually simple, like a really good salad. I never buy pre-made salad dressings because homemade is always easier and better. I had rarely used ranch on salads until I started making my own. Homemade ranch couldn’t be more different from the the supermarket goopy stuff that comes out of a squeeze bottle. You just throw a few ingredients into a jar and shake. Alternatively, you can put all the ingredients into a food processer if you want a smoother dressing. Of course you can use ranch on just about any kind of salad. I was grilling some meat anyway, so I grilled the romaine heads, which gives the salad a light charred flavor that is perfect with cool creamy ranch. Top with whatever looks lovely and in season, like tomatoes and ripe avocados.

grilled romaine salad

Ranch Dressing Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of buttermilk, well shaken
  • 1/4 cup of Greek-style yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of shallots, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of basil, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of flat-leaf parsley, minced
  • 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Sea or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Salad Ingredients:

  • 2 heads of romaine lettuce
  • 2 hard boiled egg
  • small tomatoes
  • 1 avocado, sliced

grilled romaine and ranch

To make the dressing, add all the ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously.

grilled romaine salad

Slice the romaine hearts down the middle so the leaves are still held together.

grilled romaine salad with ranch

Grill the romaine hearts over a high heat for about 2-3 minutes or until a nice char develops on the romaine.

grilled romaine salad 1

Pour dressing over the romaine . . .

 grilled romaine salad 2

And top with tomatoes, avocados and egg.

grilled romaine salad 3

Serve the salad with a fork and a knife and enjoy!

grilled romaine salad

(images by HonestlyYUM)

Conversation

I made this tonight and it was fabulous. I didn’t have avocados on hand but they actually were not missed at all. I cut one head of lettuce in half for my husband and me. Very delicious Ranch dressing. A real treat! Thank you for this recipe!

Oh goodness yum. I’m excited to see the homemade ranch! This looks simple and delicious. Thanks! xo Big Hugs

This is gorgeous!! I don’t eat much ranch, but my boyfriend puts it on everything so I might have to try making my own!

Maybe the homemade kind will change your mind– it doesn’t taste like the store bought kind!

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