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Fire kissed caesar

Fire-Kissed Caesar

09/03/2025|by Jason Klein

Fire-Kissed Caesar is not your ordinary salad—it's bold, smoky, and built for the grill. Chef Johan Magnusson of Big Swede BBQ takes a backyard staple and gives it an edge by bringing flame directly to crisp romaine hearts. With just the right amount of char, the lettuce has a depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with creamy Caesar dressing, crunchy bacon, and a generous layer of Parmesan. It's a fresh twist that transforms a side dish into a star worthy of any cookout.

The magic lies in balancing the contrast: cold dressing over warm, grilled romaine; salty bacon against the sharp bite of Parmesan. Each bite delivers texture and flavor far more indulgent than a classic salad. This recipe is quick to prepare but leaves a lasting impression—perfect for summer gatherings, weeknight meals, or anytime you want to surprise guests with something unexpected from the grill.

Cooking outdoors isn’t only about steaks and burgers. Simple ingredients like romaine hearts can come alive over flame, proving that a grill can bring out nuances that the kitchen simply can’t. Fire-Kissed Caesar reminds us that even a humble salad can be bold, satisfying, and just as memorable as the main course.

For more food inspiration, please follow our Brand Ambassador, Johan Magnusson of Big Swede BBQ, on social media and order his award-winning rubs and cookbook from BigSwedeBBQ.com.

Makes 6 lettuce wraps

Fire-Kissed Caesar Ingredients

  • 3 Romaine Hearts
  • Canola Oil Spray
  • Big Swede BBQ Badass Veggie Boost or your favorite herb rub
  • 4 slices Bacon
  • Big Swede BBQ Badass Pork Boost or your favorite sweet rub
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, shaved
  • 1 cup Creamy Caesar Dressing

Fire-Kissed Caesar Directions

  1. Pre-heat your TreFlame grill by igniting all main burners. Then, close the hood and let the grill heat for 10 to 15 minutes; the hood thermometer should reach approximately 450°F. Turn off all the knobs except one.
  2. Season the bacon slices on both sides with the Big Swede BBQ Badass Pork Boost or your favorite sweet BBQ rub. Place the slices in a cast-iron pan and grill until crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the grill and let cool. Break into bacon bits and set aside.
  3. Cut the romaine hearts in half, rinse, and dry. Brush the insides of the hearts with canola oil and season with the Big Swede BBQ Badass Veggie Boost or your favorite veggie herb seasoning.
  4. Place the romaine hearts, cut-side down, on the grates and grill for 1-2 minutes until you have visible grill marks. Do not overcook the romaine hearts; they only need some charring. Let the romaine hearts cool down, drizzle with the Caesar dressing, and sprinkle with bacon. Add shaved Parmesan and serve immediately.

Created by our Brand Ambassador, Chef Johan Magnusson of BigSwedeBBQ.com