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Lettuce is often known as the base for so many spring salad recipes, as well as a popular topping for burgers and sandwiches. But more often than not, people wind up using the same romaine lettuce over and over again. And while there's nothing wrong with crunchy romaine, there's a whole world of other salad greens just waiting to be eaten! Whether you’re after something crisp and refreshing or bold and peppery, the flavor and texture of your salad can be totally transformed based on what type of lettuce you choose. Just take a look at the produce section of the supermarket or your local farmer's market and you’ll find tons of varieties of lettuce in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Once you find a new favorite, you can start experimenting with some brand new salads your family will love.
When it comes to different types of lettuce, there are two main categories to keep in mind. Susannah Ball, product development manager at PanAmerican Seed, explains that leaves that form a head as they grow are called heading lettuces, while those that grow freely are called looseleaf. "Romaines, icebergs, butterheads, and oakleafs are all the same plant—lettuce," Susannah says. "However, there are tons of other leafy greens that we tend to eat and cook with in the same way." Here, you'll all those lettuces and more, including arugula, kale, endive, and other leafy greens that we typically find in salad mixes (even if they're not all technically lettuces). Some lettuces will be great for side salads, while others are better for tossing with hearty mix-ins. There are even lettuces that can be turned into lettuce wraps or tossed into pasta salads.
No matter which lettuce you choose, these greens will add a burst of freshness and a good source of nutrition to your family meals. Remember that next time you want to make a healthy dinner recipe!
Arugula
This peppery green has a bold flavor that can stand up to citrusy salad dressings. It’s sometimes called rocket or Italian cress, and it can be found both with long stems or short stems. It makes a great side salad, but it’s also flavorful enough to be used as a topping for salad pizza.
Frisée
It’s easy to spot the curly, frilly, pale-green leaves of this type of chicory. It has a distinctly bitter taste that pairs well with richer ingredients, like bacon or creamy salad dressings. Whip up a frisée salad the next time you want to make a fancy-looking appetizer.
Spinach
Mild, delicate, and full of nutrients, baby spinach is one of the most versatile veggies out there. You can sauté it with garlic as a side dish for steak, but spinach salads are also a wonderful addition to your weeknight repertoire.
Mesclun
This assortment of loose baby greens (also known as spring mix) isn’t a specific type of lettuce. The world mesclun actually comes from a Provençal word for "mixture." Mesclun mixes are often sold with a combination of red oak leaf, baby spinach, arugula, and other tender leafy greens.
Kale
In the world of salads, kale is a rising star. But it’s not just trendy, it’s good for you, too! Add the hearty greens to a salad that has a lot of mix-ins or look for baby kale for a more delicate texture. While this popular green is often used as a lettuce, it’s technically considered a cruciferous veggie (closely related to Brussels sprouts).
Radicchio
Sometimes called red leaf chicory or Italian chicory, this reddish-purple vegetable will add a pop of color and flavor to your salad bowl. It's a bit bitter, so it's a great choice for mixing with other greens on this list (in fact, you might find radicchio in those bagged salad blends).
Endive
Another member of the chicory family, endive has a unique shape, smooth texture, and flavorful crunch. It can be chopped up and added to your favorite salad or used as a cup to hold chicken salad. Tear off individual leaves and serve it with dill dip for scooping.
Watercress
Don't be fooled by the tiny leaves of this delicate green—as both a cruciferous vegetable and a part of the mustard family, watercress is known to pack a punch of peppery flavor. It can be used raw or cooked and it's a nice addition to your favorite sandwiches. Just be sure to wash it well, as the leaves can often be sandy.
Escarole
This crunchy leafy green is a member of the chicory family, so it has a slightly bitter taste similar to endive. You'll often find it cooked in soups or stews, but it can also be added to raw salads.
Mâche
Sometimes called lamb's lettuce or corn salad, this leafy green is very delicate and tender. It's small in size so it's not often used as a salad base, but the mild, slightly sweet flavor makes it a nice addition to any raw salad.
Iceberg Lettuce
Due to its mild taste and classic crunch, iceberg lettuce is often paired with thick, creamy salad dressings, sprinkled on top of tacos, or used on a juicy burger. It's also an economical choice, because it's inexpensive and long-lasting.
Romaine Lettuce
With its broad leaves and crunchy center, romaine lettuce is often used as a wrap, or can even be grilled to spruce up a summertime Caesar salad. It's a great option for your backyard garden, because it grows quickly and is easy to harvest.
Boston Lettuce
Boston lettuce is one of the more popular types of butterhead lettuce. Its mild, tender leaves are often used for wraps or paired with light vinaigrettes. Unlike the bitter tastes of the chicory family, butterhead lettuce is on the sweeter side.
Bibb Lettuce
Another member of the butterhead lettuce family, Bibb lettuce is similar to Boston, but smaller in size. The leaves are delicate and the lettuce can be more expensive than others.
Looseleaf Lettuce
Looseleaf lettuce is a great garden option as it's easy to grow, and leaves can be picked individually because they don't form a head.
Batavia Lettuce
Also known as summer crisp or French crisp, this lettuce has leaves that are frizzled at the top, which make them a great texture for a crisp salad. The leaves have a mildly sweet note.
Little Gem Lettuce
You might not be surprised to learn these tiny heads are also known as baby romaine. They'll add a nice crunch to any salad and are study plants to grow in your garden.
Oak Leaf Lettuce
A type of looseleaf lettuce, oak leaf is popular in home gardens. It can be grown in red and green varieties and can be added to salads for a more colorful plate.
Buttercrunch Lettuce
This butterhead variety is low-maintenance, making it a good choice for gardeners who want to experiment with lettuce varieties. Toss it in with some looseleaf lettuce for a tasty salad.
Little Caesar Lettuce
This type of romaine lettuce was grown to be the perfect base for Caesar salads. The small leaves grow green on the outside, and yellow on the inside.
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