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Types of lettuce

Lettuce is a common ingredient used in all sorts of recipes. However, even though these leafy greens are such a staple food, many people don’t know about the different forms of lettuce out there that are waiting to spice up their salads!

There are four popular types of lettuce:

  • Crisphead lettuce (Iceberg lettuce)
  • Butterhead lettuce (Bibb, Boston lettuce)
  • Romaine lettuce (Cos lettuce)
  • Leaf lettuce (loose-leaf lettuce)

Read on to learn about these types, the most popular cultivars to grow, their best uses, and the benefits of each!

The main types of lettuce

While there are many different types of lettuce out there, most varieties fit into one of four categories. Many make delicious salad greens. You may also want to try incorporating these five popular types of lettuce into dishes like stir-fry, wraps, or soups, too (you can find some recipes for these below). Most types of lettuce are easy to grow at home in your garden.

Here are the four major types of lettuce:

Multiple heads of crisphead lettuce on a plate.
A plate of crisphead lettuce

1. Crisphead lettuce (Iceberg)

Crisphead lettuce is a type of lettuce that is easily recognizable by its large, tightly packed leaves and crunchy texture. It is the most common lettuce sold in grocery stores, with the specific cultivar ‘Iceberg’ being the most popular.

Varieties of this category tend to have dense heads with crisp leaves folding over one another. The leaves are usually a light green color, fading to white near the base of the head.

Crisphead lettuce has a high water content, crisp texture, and mild flavor compared to other lettuces, making it a popular choice for salads and other dishes. Use the lettuce creatively, and try out this recipe for a stir-fry with iceberg lettuce!

A row of butterhead lettuce growing in a garden.
A garden of butterhead lettuce

2. Butterhead lettuce (Bibb, Boston)

Butterhead lettuce, also known as Butter lettuce, is a gourmet type of lettuce known for its soft, tender leaves and delicate texture. Varieties of butter lettuce tend to have open, loose heads and bright green leaves.

Some chefs and gardeners refer to small butterhead varieties as Bibb lettuce and larger butterheads as Boston lettuce. One of the most popular varieties to grow is Buttercrunch lettuce. Other popular cultivars include Butter King, Rhapsody, and Matilda.

Wondering how to include it in your recipes? Check out this recipe on Thai turkey lettuce wraps for a creative way to add it to your meal!

A head of romaine lettuce on a wooden table.
A head of romaine lettuce

3. Romaine lettuce (Cos)

Romaine lettuce, more commonly called Cos lettuce outside of North America, is another specialty culinary lettuce category. Romaine lettuce can be found in most grocery stores year-round.

Cos lettuce heads usually have upright leaves that create a moderately dense and tall oval shape. The leaves on the outside of the head are usually a dark green color with a thick stem, while the leaves in the heart are much lighter green.

This is another lettuce type that can be used in all sorts of tasty recipes, such as salads and sandwiches! Most commonly, it is known for being great in a Caesar salad. Pair freshly chopped greens with a creamy dressing, parmesan cheese, and croutons for a quick salad.

Want to grow it on your own? Check out this article on a guide for growing a common cos lettuce variety, Parris Island! Other favorite varieties include Freckles, Cimmaron, and Little Gem.

A bowl of freshly cut leaf lettuce.
Freshly cut leaf lettuce in a salad bowl

4. Leaf lettuce (loose-leaf)

Leaf lettuce, as the name suggests, has leaves that grow loosely on the stem. The leaves are grown in a basal rosette rather than in a head. Specifically, the leaves of this variety grow outwards from the base like the petals of a flower and have a crinkly or flat consistency. Leaf lettuce varieties are also among the easiest lettuces to grow (here’s a guide to growing your own lettuce).

The most common varieties of leaf lettuce include Salad Bowl, Red Salad Bowl, Oakleaf, and Red Sails. Varieties are available in many shades of green and red, including some speckled varieties, making it a colorful addition to dishes.

Leaf lettuce is best utilized in salads, as seen with this quick and easy lemon parmesan lettuce salad recipe.

Tanisha Juneja
Tanisha Juneja

Tanisha Juneja is a plant-loving, business student attending Western University in London, Ontario. She enjoys reading (especially fiction novels), baking, and spending time with family and friends.

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