This easy Steak Caesar Salad is fresh and hearty, filled with char-grilled flavor and a delicious twist on a classic. It’s the perfect quick yet filling dinner idea for any day of the week.
When I first discovered the delicious charred flavor from grilling lettuce, my world changed — and yours is about to too! This Grilled Caesar Steak Salad is the perfect way to experience that deliciousness, and the ideal easy meal with big flavor payoff and minimal prep. Full of juicy grilled steak, crisp romaine, and creamy Caesar dressing all enhanced by smoky grilled flavors, this grilled caesar salad with steak is a hearty, restaurant-style salad perfect for summer dinners.
Seasoned steak is nicely charred on the grill, then crunchy lettuce is tossed with parmesan and a creamy garlicky dressing in the ultimate salad creation that feels a little fancy, but is actually simple to make. This Grilled Steak Caesar Salad is impressive, yet effortless, and we love how it’s filling enough for dinner while still feeling fresh and light. It’s the best of both world’s and we know you’ll think so, too.
If you like this recipe, try some of our other favorite salads. This Grilled Steak Chopped Salad is packed with flavor and texture, and we love this Chopped Steak Cobb Salad for a hearty twist on the classic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with Protein: With juicy marinated steak in every bite, this salad is protein rich with bold flavor.
- Perfect Balance of Ingredients: Made with crisp romaine, fresh garlic and charred steak, this recipe is the ideal mix of fresh and hearty ingredients that fill you up, but don’t weigh you down.
- Great for Grilling Season: We all have our favorite summertime staples to grill up, and now this salad can be added to the rotation. Use the grill as a one stop shop for all parts of this salad.
- Restaurant-Quality, at Home. With perfectly sliced steak and charred romaine, this salad feels like something special you’d order at a restaurant. You can make this restaurant-style salad easily without leaving the house.
Ingredients
- Romaine: Cool, crisp, and sturdy, this is the perfect lettuce to grill. Be sure to wash and fully pat it dry before grilling.
- Flank Steak: Lean and beefy in flavor, this becomes super tender and juicy once grilled.
- Caesar Dressing: Creamy and flavorful, use your favorite store-bought or homemade version.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grate your own for the best taste.
- Croutons: For added crunch and flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: To season and marinate the steak.
- Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for maximum flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: Always season generously.
How To Make Steak Caesar Salad
1. Start with your flank steak, place it in a bowl and mix together the Italian seasonings, minced garlic and olive oil and let marinate for 30 minutes. While the steak marinated, wash your romaine, cut off the end and cut in half and set to the side.
2. Once marinated, take it out and let sit for 10 minutes. Place on a hot grill and cook to your liking. Once grilled, take off and let rest. While the steak rests, place your romaine on the grill. Grill on both sides for 3-4 minutes each.
3. Place your romaine on a cutting board. Slice the steak and place on top. Top with cheese, dressing, croutons, salt and pepper and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Let Steak Rest Before Slicing: Once it’s cooked and off the grill, let it rest for 5-10 minutes so it stays juicy.
- Slice Steak Against the Grain: Go against, not with the grain for maximum tenderness. Look to see which direction the muscle fibers are in, and slice in the perpendicular direction.
- Lightly Grill Romaine: A little goes a long way — just grill it lightly for added smoky flavor. No need to overly char or burn it.
- Freshly Grate Parmesan: For the best taste and texture.
- Don’t Overdress Salad: Start with a little dressing, mix, then add more if needed. An overly dressed salad can be soggy and wilty.
- Use Other Cuts of Steak: We love flank steak for the classic choice, but top sirloin, flat iron, and ribeye are also delicious cuts to use depending on preference and budget,
Variations
- Try Another Protein: Add grilled chicken or shrimp to the salad instead of steak.
- Add Avocado: Dice up or slice up a perfectly ripe avocado for extra creaminess.
- Use Homemade Caesar Dressing: If you have a favorite recipe and the time, dress the salad with a homemade version for even more flavor.
- Top with Crispy Bacon: For added crunch and smokey flavor, crumble some on top before serving.
Storage
If you have leftover steak, salad and dressing, store the components separately, if possible, for maximum freshness and to prevent sogginess. They’ll each keep in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat steak gently on the stove, or enjoy chilled or at room temperature once tossed with remaining salad ingredients.
This is a great recipe for meal prep. You can prep the salad ingredients ahead of time and make the dressing in advance. You can even marinate the steak ahead of time, or cook the steak and store until you’re ready to assemble the salad and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure the romaine is dry and brushed lightly with oil before adding to the grill, and be sure to grill the lettuce over high heat to get a quick char. This will get the outside crisped and grilled, and keep the inside cool and crunchy.
Once the steak reaches an internal temperature of 130° (for medium rare), and has a slightly bouncy yet firm touch, the steak is done. The outside should be seared and charred, while the inside is light pink. If you’d like your steak more well-done, continue cooking for a few more minutes. Regardless, remember to let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
More Delicious Steak Recipes
Grilled Caesar Steak Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Start with your flank steak, place it in a bowl and mix together the Italian seasonings, minced garlic and olive oil and let marinate for 30 minutes. While the steak marinated, wash your romaine, cut off the end and cut in half and set to the side.
- Once marinated, take it out and let sit for 10 minutes. Place on a hot grill and cook to your liking. Once grilled, take off and let rest. While the steak rests, place your romaine on the grill. Grill on both sides for 3-4 minutes each.
- Place your romaine on a cutting board. Slice the steak and place on top. Top with cheese, dressing, croutons, salt and pepper and enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftover salad components separately (steak, lettuce, croutons, dressing), if possible, for maximum freshness and to prevent sogginess. They’ll each keep in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat steak gently on the stove, or enjoy chilled or at room temperature once tossed with remaining salad ingredients.
- You can prep the salad ingredients ahead of time and make the dressing in advance. You can even marinate the steak ahead of time, or cook the steak and store until you’re ready to assemble the salad and serve.