I’m always looking for an easy vegetable side dish to include at dinner, and I recently discovered sautéed romaine. We usually think of romaine as a salad green, but when sautéed, the leaves become silky and tender while the ribs stay crisp. Garlic, olive oil and fresh lemon bring out its mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s a healthy side dish you can make in 10 minutes.
What Does Cooked Romaine Taste Like?
Romaine isn’t something we usually think of as a cooked vegetable, but once you try it, you may wonder why you haven’t been cooking it all along.
Sautéed romaine tastes mild, slightly sweet and a little nutty. The grassy flavor of raw romaine mellows beautifully when cooked.
I especially love the contrast in textures. The leafy green parts become silky and tender, while the thicker ribs retain a wonderful crisp-tender crunch.
A little garlic brings out its savory side, while fresh lemon and fruity extra virgin olive oil brighten everything up.
Why You’ll Love Sautéed Romaine
If you’ve never cooked romaine before, you’re in for a treat. It’s a delicious, easy, healthy side dish.
- Quick and easy – ready in less than 10 minutes.
- Only a few ingredients – romaine, garlic, olive oil, lemon and seasonings.
- Wonderful texture – silky, tender leaves with crisp-tender ribs.
- Mild, slightly sweet flavor – cooking mellows the grassy taste of raw romaine.
- Nutritious – High in vitamin A and folates, low in oxalates and no goitrogenic compounds.
- Goes with almost anything – serve it alongside chicken, fish, meat, beans or grains.
Why Romaine Is So Good for You
Romaine may look lighter than other leafy greens, but don’t let that fool you—it’s a surprisingly nutrient-rich vegetable. Like other greens, it’s an easy way to add more vitamins, minerals, fiber and anti-inflammatory compounds to your meals.
Here are a few reasons I love it:
- Nutrient-rich and hydrating: Romaine is mostly water while providing vitamins A, K and folate, along with vitamin C, potassium and calcium.
- Supports healthy digestion: The combination of water and fiber helps keep your digestive system working smoothly.
- Naturally low in oxalates: Romaine is lower in oxalates than greens like spinach, making it a nice choice for people who have been advised to limit high-oxalate foods.
- A non-cruciferous leafy green: Unlike kale and other cruciferous vegetables, romaine doesn’t contain the same naturally occurring goitrogenic compounds, so it can be a good way to vary the greens you eat.
- Full of beneficial plant compounds: Leafy greens provide antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect your cells and support overall health.
I love having different kinds of greens in my diet, and romaine is one of the easiest. It’s mild, refreshing, incredibly versatile—and as you’ll discover in this recipe, it’s just as delicious cooked as it is raw.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Romaine Lettuce – Choose a large, fresh head with crisp ribs and bright green leaves.
- Garlic – Just 2 cloves give the romaine lots of savory flavor without overpowering it.
- Olive Oil – Use regular olive oil for sautéing and a good fruity extra virgin olive oil for finishing.
- Sea Salt – Enhances the naturally sweet flavor of the cooked romaine.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Optional, but I love the little bit of heat they add.
- Fresh Lemon – A squeeze at the end brightens up the entire dish.
How to Make Sautéed Romaine
This dish cooks quickly, so have everything ready before you begin.
Prepare the romaine. Wash and dry the romaine. Cut crosswise into 1½-inch strips, then cut the strips in half so they’re easy to sauté and eat.
Sauté the garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 20 seconds, just until fragrant. Don’t let it brown.
Add the romaine. Add the romaine along with a pinch of sea salt and red pepper flakes, if using. It will look like a lot at first but will wilt as it cooks
Sauté until crisp-tender. Using tongs, continuously turn the romaine as it cooks. The leaves will quickly begin to wilt. Continue sautéing for 2–4 minutes, until the leafy parts are tender but the ribs still have a little crunch.
Finish and serve. Transfer to a platter, drizzle with a little fruity extra virgin olive oil and finish with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon.
Tips for the Best Sautéed Romaine
- Dry your romaine well. Too much water on the leaves will cause the romaine to steam rather than sauté.
- Use a large pan. It may look like a lot of romaine when you first put it into the pan, but it wilts down quickly. A large pan gives you enough room to toss everything easily.
- Keep it moving. Turn the romaine frequently with tongs so the leaves cook evenly.
- Don’t overcook it. You want the leaves silky and tender while the thicker ribs remain slightly crisp, 2-4 minutes is enough.
- Add the lemon at the end. Fresh lemon juice added just before serving gives the cooked greens a beautiful brightness.
Easy Variations
This simple sautéed romaine is easy to change up depending on what you’re serving. Here are a few delicious variations:
- Asian Style: Sauté with fresh grated ginger instead of garlic. Finish with a splash of tamari and toasted sesame oil. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like.
- Add Sweet Red Peppers: Sauté a few thinly sliced sweet red peppers before adding the romaine. They add beautiful color, natural sweetness and a little extra crunch.
- Mediterranean Style: Add a few cherry tomatoes and finish with crumbled feta, fresh lemon and a sprinkle of oregano.
- Garlic & Parmesan: Finish the sautéed romaine with freshly grated Parmesan and plenty of black pepper.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Toss in fresh basil, parsley, cilantro or mint just before serving for an extra layer of fresh flavor.
- Make It Spicy: Add a little chili crisp for a delicious kick.
What to Serve with Sautéed Romaine
This is one of those simple vegetable side dishes you can serve with almost anything. I especially enjoy it alongside grilled or roasted salmon, chicken or shrimp.
You can also add it to a grain or quinoa bowl, serve it alongside eggs for breakfast, or pair it with beans or lentils for a simple plant-based meal.
It’s an especially nice option when you want something green but aren’t in the mood for another salad.
Storing
Store covered in refrigerator for 1-2 days. Reheat in a saute pan.
More Simple Sautéed Vegetable Side Dishes
- Sauteed Kale with Carrots
- Sauteed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Olives
- Sautéed Spinach and Radicchio
- Sauteed Dandelion Greens
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Easy Sauteed Romaine with Garlic and Lemon
Pin RecipeSautéing romaine turns it into a healthy side dish of contrasting tastes and textures with fragrant garlic, fruity olive oil & lemon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 large head romaine lettuce
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Sea salt, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
- Fruity extra virgin olive oil, for serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Wash and dry the romaine. Cut crosswise into 1½-inch strips, then cut the strips in half(see photo above).
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 20 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the romaine, a pinch of sea salt and red pepper flakes, if using. Sauté, turning constantly with tongs, until the romaine begins to wilt.
- Continue sautéing for 2–4 minutes, until the leaves are tender and the ribs are crisp-tender.
- Taste and season with additional salt as needed.
- Transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle with fruity extra virgin olive oil and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
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