There are lots of types of lettuce on the market these days, so you don’t have to suffer through another iceberg salad. The lettuces on my list have a great flavor and texture and add so much to your salad. Use them with a huge variety of other ingredients to create new and delicious salads all the time. You can also use them on sandwiches or burgers to change up an old favorite. Try these types of lettuce next time you plan to make a salad and you’ll see just what I mean.
1 Arugula
I love arugula and it tops my list of types of lettuce you’ve got to try. It adds a crunch and peppery taste that can’t be beat. I wouldn’t recommend using it alone, but it sure adds a lot when you mix and match it with other lettuces in your salad. It tastes great with goat cheese and nuts too, so you can use arugula to make fancy salads with tons of flavor that will impress anyone.
It’s fun to say, but frisee is something you’ll want to add to all your salads once you get a taste. It has a curly appearance, but it tastes wonderful. It’s crunchy and has a slightly bitter taste that pairs wonderfully with milder tasting lettuces like romaine or red leaf lettuce. Plus, it makes your salad look pretty at the same time that it makes your mouth water.
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Frisée is a type of lettuce that is a member of the chicory family. It is grown in Europe and the United States and is usually harvested in the winter months. It has a curly, frilly appearance and is a pale green in color. Frisée has a slightly bitter taste, which makes it a great addition to salads that contain milder lettuces like romaine or red leaf lettuce. It is also a great source of vitamins A and K, as well as folate and dietary fiber. Frisée is a great way to add texture and flavor to salads, as well as a nutritional boost.
3 Radicchio
Radicchio is not your average green lettuce. It’s got a purple hue that makes your salad look pretty. It’s got a slightly bitter flavor that works really well with a ton of vegetables. You can cook radicchio too for a sweeter flavor. Chill it before adding to your salad though. I love to use radicchio in coleslaw instead of purple cabbage.
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Radicchio is an Italian type of chicory and is a member of the daisy family. It has a bitter flavor with a hint of sweetness. Radicchio is a popular addition to salads, but it can also be cooked. When cooked, it becomes sweeter and more tender.
Radicchio comes in several varieties, including the most popular variety, Chioggia. This variety is round in shape and has white and red leaves with white veins. Radicchio di Treviso is another popular variety. It is elongated and has a deep red color.
Radicchio is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C. It also contains a variety of minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium. It is also high in antioxidants, which can help protect the body from free radical damage.
Radicchio is a versatile vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked. When eaten raw, it can be added to salads, sandwiches, or wraps. When cooked, it can be sautéed, grilled, or roasted. It can also be used in soups, stews, and other dishes.
Radicchio is a great way to add flavor and color to any dish.
4 Boston
Also called Bibb lettuce, this is a great one for lettuce wraps or summer rolls. It holds up well to being stuffed so you can use for lots of yummy things. You can also shred it up and add it to salad for a new and slightly buttery flavor and texture. You can’t store Boston lettuce for more than a couple of days, but it sure will add some flair to your usual recipes while it lasts.
5 Tatsoi
You might see this lettuce in a bag of mix. Again, you can’t use it alone, but it adds a lot to your bowl of salad in the way of presentation and taste. It looks a bit like baby spinach, but it has a mustardy flavor you’re going to love. Use this one on sandwiches or stir it into a pot of vegetable soup too.
6 Mache
The name sounds fancy, but this lettuce is pretty easy to find. The leaves aren’t huge, so this is one that’s better for embellishing a salad rather than using it as a base. It also looks beautiful in a pot of soup. The mild, but sweet flavor can’t be matched and you’re sure to love it as much as I do.
7 Oakleaf
It’s not really from the oak tree, but the leaves are scalloped and pretty so this lettuce will ramp up the presentation of a huge bowl of salad. It’s similar to Bibb lettuce, but has a slightly sweeter and milder flavor. It mixes and matches well with more intense salad ingredients like cheese, nuts, spicy lettuces and dressings.
What’s your favorite type of lettuce? I love to mix a bunch of different kinds for a really delicious salad that I can eat for days. Which one will you try first?
