Grilled Little Gem Lettuce Recipe: Sweet Walnut Topping 2026

Grilled little gem lettuce is a smart, surprising swap for the usual cold salad. The cut halves go cut-side down into a hot grill pan for just a few minutes, so the leaves soften slightly and pick up golden, smoky edges while the core keeps its pleasant crunch.

On top goes the real star: walnuts toasted in a dry pan, then quickly glazed with honey, fresh thyme and a splash of water until they turn sticky and fragrant. A light garlicky mayonnaise dressing, with an optional touch of whisky, ties everything together.

It comes together in about 15 minutes and works just as well as an entrante for a dinner party as it does as a side dish next to roasted meat or fish. Serve the dressing on the side so everyone can add as much as they like.

Ingredients for Grilled Little Gem Lettuce

Makes 4 servings

• 1 small garlic clove (optional)
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon whisky (optional)
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 50 g walnuts
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 little gem lettuces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

How to Make Grilled Little Gem Lettuce Step by Step

1. Make the dressing

Press 1 small garlic clove and mix it with 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of whisky, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep the dressing chilled in the fridge until needed, and feel free to leave out the garlic and whisky depending on what your guests prefer.

2. Caramelize the walnuts

Toast 50 g of walnuts in a dry skillet for 4 minutes, stirring so they color evenly. Add 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of thyme leaves and 1 tablespoon of water, cook for 3 more minutes, then spread the walnuts on baking paper to cool.

3. Grill the lettuce

Cut 2 little gem lettuces in half, brush the cut sides with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear them cut-side down in a grill pan over high heat for 3 minutes. You want a deep golden surface while the leaves stay tender and the core keeps a little bite.

4. Dress and serve

Arrange the grilled lettuce on plates and scatter over the walnuts, roughly chopped. Spoon a little of the reserved dressing over the top and bring the rest to the table in a bowl so each diner can help themselves.

Tips for the Best Grilled Little Gem Lettuce

Keep the pan properly hot

A screaming-hot grill pan gives you color and flavor in 3 minutes without steaming the leaves. If the pan is only warm, the lettuce will release water and turn limp instead of golden.

Watch the honey closely

Honey can go from glossy to burnt very quickly, so stir the walnuts constantly during those last 3 minutes. The splash of water keeps the glaze loose enough to coat every nut.

Dress at the last moment

Grilled lettuce softens fast once dressed, so add the mayonnaise mixture right before serving. Keep the extra dressing cold and pass it at the table for people who want more.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

For mornings that need an easy start or lighter fare, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe are frequent picks. And for a gluten-free staple I can count on, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I enjoy putting together.

Whenever tapas and Mediterranean cooking are on my mind, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cooling Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more upscale.

Come lunch or a comforting supper, I'm always quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply satisfying French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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