Grilled Romaine and Strawberry Salad with Cotija Cheese

This Strawberry Salad with Grilled Romaine and Cotija Cheese is a delicious dish that combines fresh flavors and a delightful smoky taste from the grilled romaine. This recipe is perfect for summer gatherings or a light meal at home. If you enjoy vibrant salads, you might also love this strawberry banana cheesecake salad.

Why Make This Recipe

Making this salad is a fantastic way to enjoy seasonal strawberries and the unique flavor of grilled romaine. The addition of Cotija cheese adds a creamy and salty element that balances perfectly with the freshness of the other ingredients. This dish not only looks beautiful but also tastes amazing, offering a great combination of textures and flavors. You may find it a refreshing change from traditional salads, much like a grilled chicken and corn salad.

How to Make Strawberry Salad with Grilled Romaine and Cotija Cheese

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sour cream
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup cilantro (chopped)
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 pinch salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 4 slices salami sliced to bacon thickness
• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 cup ripe California strawberries
• ½ avocado
• 1 Tbsp fresh chopped oregano
• ½ Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
• ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese

Directions:

1. Whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper to make the dressing and set aside.
2. Roughly chop the salami and sauté in a pan until crispy, then transfer to paper towels to drain.
3. Preheat your grill to high and remove the outer leaves of the lettuce. Slice the romaine in half lengthwise, drizzle with olive oil, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Grill the romaine for about 2-3 minutes or until it starts to get a good char color.
4. Once grilled, transfer the romaine to a large platter.
5. Slice the strawberries into quarters and place them on top of the romaine wedges.
6. Cut the avocado into small dice and add to the romaine, followed by the salami chunks, oregano, additional cilantro, and crumbled Cotija cheese.
7. Drizzle some of the dressing over the romaine and serve at once.

How to Serve Strawberry Salad with Grilled Romaine and Cotija Cheese

This salad can be served as a refreshing main dish or as a side salad. It pairs well with grilled meats and other summer dishes. For an interesting twist, consider serving it alongside a pizza grilled cheese sandwich.

How to Store Strawberry Salad with Grilled Romaine and Cotija Cheese

If you have leftovers, store the salad components separately. Keep the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The grilled romaine should be stored in a different container to avoid sogginess. The strawberries and avocado are best added fresh when you’re ready to serve. You may also find Black Beans And Rice With Sausage useful.

Tips to Make Strawberry Salad with Grilled Romaine and Cotija Cheese

• For added flavor, marinate the romaine in the dressing for 30 minutes before grilling.
• If you don’t have Cotija cheese, you can use feta cheese as a substitute.
• Try adding nuts such as walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.

Variation

You can easily adapt this salad by adding your favorite proteins, such as grilled chicken or shrimp, for a more filling meal. You may also try different types of cheese if you want to explore other flavor profiles. You may also find Brie Blackberry Jam Grilled Cheese useful.

FAQs

1. Can I use different greens instead of romaine?
Yes, you can substitute romaine with other greens like kale or even spinach, but remember that grilling may not work for all greens.

2. How can I make this salad vegan?
For a vegan version, replace the Cotija cheese with a plant-based cheese and use a vegan sour cream alternative in the dressing.

3. What other toppings can I add?
Consider adding sliced nuts, seeds, or even grilled corn for extra texture and flavor in the salad.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Salad with Grilled Romaine and Cotija Cheese is a delicious way to incorporate fresh ingredients into your meals. You may also want to explore the recipe for Grilled Romaine Salad with Avocado, Tomatillos, and Cotija Cheese for additional grilling inspiration. For further variations, check out a Grilled Romaine Salad recipe from NDSU Agriculture that provides different flavor combinations.

Strawberry Salad with Grilled Romaine and Cotija Cheese

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten-Free

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

A refreshing salad combining grilled romaine, sweet strawberries, and creamy Cotija cheese, perfect for summer gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup cilantro (chopped)
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 pinch salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 slices salami (sliced to bacon thickness)
• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup ripe California strawberries
• ½ avocado (diced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano
• ½ tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
• ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper to make the dressing and set aside.
2. Roughly chop the salami and sauté in a pan until crispy, then transfer to paper towels to drain.
3. Preheat your grill to high and remove the outer leaves of the lettuce.
4. Slice the romaine in half lengthwise, drizzle with olive oil, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Grill the romaine for about 2-3 minutes or until it starts to get a good char color.
6. Transfer the romaine to a large platter.
7. Slice the strawberries into quarters and place them on top of the romaine wedges.
8. Cut the avocado into small dice and add to the romaine, followed by the salami chunks, oregano, additional cilantro, and crumbled Cotija cheese.
9. Drizzle some of the dressing over the romaine and serve at once.

Notes

For added flavor, marinate the romaine in the dressing for 30 minutes before grilling. If you don’t have Cotija cheese, try feta as a substitute.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 30mg