Everything You Need to Know About Lettuce

There are many types of lettuce out there, and many of them have a few different uses. The Organic Restaurants blog can help you sort through all of these products available at your local farmer’s market. Find a new favorite or a new use for a salad staple. 

Iceberg Lettuce

This is a familiar sight to anyone who enjoys a refreshing salad. Iceberg lettuce is light in color and full of water, so it’s hydrating and makes for a great base for many types of salads. It’s also an ideal topping for things like tacos, subs, and heroes. This type of lettuce doesn’t contain much in the way of nutrients though, so you’ll want to add in some other greens when making a salad.

Romaine Lettuce

Another salad staple, romaine lettuce is a bit darker and slightly more flavorful than iceberg lettuce. Another less common use for this type of lettuce is grilling, but grilled romaine can make for a flavorful side dish.

Boston Lettuce

Sometimes called butter lettuce or buttercrunch lettuce, this type of lettuce is commonly used in salads. Its large leaves give it another use though. Boston lettuce is perfect for wraps. You can easily use it to wrap up meat, like chicken, and it can be the low-carb alternative to hard shells or tortillas on taco night.

Frisee

This can be recognized by its green and curly leaves. It’s quite flavorful, but a little bitter. It may be an acquired taste for some, but we think that it goes great in a salad with a light vinaigrette or salad dressing.

Coral Lettuce

This type of lettuce can be bright green or deep red, but either way, it’s a crisp and tender lettuce that goes great on top of burgers or sandwiches. The leaves also curl up nice and tightly, meaning that this type of lettuce is great for trapping dressing in a salad.

Escarole

Escarole has large and crisp leaves, but it tastes a little bitter. It can go great in salads with sweeter greens, but escarole is also perfect for cooking. It can be used in certain soups or even paired with beans in a flavorful stew.

Arugula

Arugula is a nutritious addition to any salad. It’s a good source of a few different vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K. If you don’t want to add it to your salad, try it as a garnish on a dinner dish. You’ve probably seen restaurants do that before. This also makes for an interesting pizza topping!

Loose Leaf Lettuce

Looseleaf lettuce has a more mild flavor. Its stem is crunchy and can add a bit more substance and texture to the typical garden salad. It’s also sturdy enough to be used as a wrap. It’s the perfect low-carb alternative to a hamburger bun or a tortilla.

For More Healthy Eating Tips

If you want to learn more about how you can take full advantage of your local organic grocery store, we can help. Visit the Organic Restaurants website and blog to learn more about healthy eating and what you can do to change up your diet for the better.