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Vegetables · Salad leaves

Lettuce

Mild, crisp salad leaves sold as heads (romaine, little gem, iceberg and more), mostly eaten raw.

Also called: romaine, cos lettuce, little gem, marul

36 recipes with it

What it is

Lettuce covers many salad plants with tender leaves in loose or tight heads. Romaine (cos) and little gem have long, crisp leaves with a juicy rib; butterhead has soft, cupped leaves; iceberg is very crunchy and watery; loose-leaf types are frilly. Rocket, radicchio and endive are different plants with more peppery or bitter tastes.

Lactuca sativa

How it’s used

  • Base of green and Caesar salads
  • Crisp layer in sandwiches, burgers and tacos
  • Cups for lettuce wraps and larb
  • Shredded into salads and fillings
  • Grilled halves of romaine or little gem

Characteristics

Taste
Mild, fresh and slightly sweet; outer leaves can be a little bitter.
Texture
Crisp and juicy (romaine, iceberg) or soft and buttery (butterhead).
When cooked
Wilts quickly once dressed or heated; dress just before serving.
Sold as
fresh
Cooking uses
Usually eaten raw, Used as a garnish

Varieties

  • Romaine / cos
  • Little gem
  • Iceberg
  • Butterhead
  • Oak leaf
  • Lollo rosso

Kinds in our pantry

Storage

Refrigerated. Refrigerate unwashed in a bag or box with paper towel. Dry well after washing; discard slimy or brown leaves.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Wash leaves well under running water; raw salad greens have been linked to foodborne illness.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
17 kcal
Protein
1.23 g
Carbohydrate
3.29 g
Fat
0.3 g
Fibre
2.1 g
Sugars
1.19 g

USDA FoodData Central: Lettuce, cos or romaine, raw.

Related ingredients

Recipes with lettuce

See all 36

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