Lettuce in the Kitchen

When most people think of lettuce, they think of a crunchy lettuce salad or maybe a crisp wedge salad with a drizzle of blue cheese or another favorite salad dressing. But lettuce can be much more than just the base of a salad recipe. It’s time to think beyond Caesar salad or chicken salad—this versatile leafy green can actually be cooked, blended, or used as a wrapper for all kinds of dishes.

Most types of lettuce are eaten raw, especially romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and bibb, but there’s no rule saying they can’t be cooked too! Cooked lettuces can be incredibly flavorful when lightly sautéed, braised, grilled, or added to soups and stir-fries. In fact, lettuce soup is a popular dish in French cuisine, and stir-fried lettuce is a staple in many Asian food traditions—often flavored with olive oil, soy sauce, and garlic, and served as a side dish. For a fun twist, try grilling a halved romaine or little gem head for a charred, smoky take on a lettuce salad—top with dressing, cheese, or crispy toppings for added crunch. Just be sure to cook quickly over medium heat to keep the texture tender and avoid over-wilting.

One of the most fun and functional ways to use lettuce is as a wrap or vessel for other foods. Large, flexible lettuce leaves from romaine, bibb, or iceberg make perfect lettuce wraps or lettuce cups. These low-carbohydrate alternatives to tortillas or buns are great for tacos, spring rolls, or even a bun-less BLT. Next time you eat a hamburger, try it in a lettuce wrap—it’s even becoming a mainstream option at many restaurants! Start with a whole head of lettuce, separate and wash the leaves ahead of time, and store them in the fridge for quick meals.

Lettuce can also be blended into smoothies or sauces. Its mild flavor makes it an easy way to sneak extra veggies into a meal.

Whether you’re building the perfect salad or reinventing your usual lunch routine, lettuce deserves more credit than it usually gets. It’s fresh, fast, flexible, and full of potential.