25 Lettuce Salad Recipes That Will Make You Love Eating Greens

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These fresh and delicious lettuce salad recipes will have you looking at greens in a whole new way! From simple Greek salads to mouthwatering lettuce wraps, these light bites will make healthy eating a total breeze.

If you’re trying to jazz up your salad game but have no idea where to start – I’ve got your back.

These creative lettuce salad recipes are perfect as side dishes or main courses, and they’re loaded with fresh veggies and hearty proteins!

Plus, you’ll be able to top things off with tangy, zesty, and zingy dressings that completely change the flavor game.

Pair them with soups and curries to bulk up your dinner, or pack them in bento boxes for a bit of meal prep madness!

Anything goes when greens taste this good.

Is Lettuce Salad Good For You?

A lettuce salad is an easy way to work vitamins and minerals into your diet (while adding a bunch of antioxidants to the mix!).

Lettuce is naturally low in calories and high in fiber and contains crucial nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K and plenty of minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

But be mindful of what other ingredients you add to your salad. For example, adding a lot of high-calorie toppings such as cheese or store-bought salad dressing can significantly increase the calorie count and bad fat content of the salad.

But if you only add fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients (like the one you’ll find in these recipes), lettuce salad is an incredibly healthy addition to your plate.

What Is the Best Lettuce For Salads?

The best lettuce to use for salads is a hardy option like romaine, radicchio, and iceberg.

As these lettuces are usually crunchy and hold onto dressings well, they’re ideal choices for most salad recipes!

And for more tips on how to store lettuce, jump to the end of the article!

The Best Lettuce Salad Recipes You'll Ever Eat

How to Store Lettuce

1. Keep it in the fridge

Yes, lettuce likes to chill out in the fridge. It’s true! Storing your lettuce in the fridge can help slow down its natural ripening process and keep it fresh and crisp for longer.

Plus, the enclosed environment in the fridge can also prevent harmful microorganisms from growing and damaging your lettuce. So, next time you bring home a bundle of fresh lettuce, make sure to tuck it away in the fridge to keep it at its best. 

2. Keep it away from fruit

You’ll want to keep lettuce away from any fruit in the fridge (including tomatoes!) because of something called ethylene gas.

Most fruit releases this once it’s harvested, and can cause lettuce and other leafy veggies to ripen in the blink of an eye.

3. Don’t wash iceberg lettuce

Iceberg lettuce contains more moisture than most types of lettuce. So, you won’t want to add any moisture to the mix by washing it. 

Simply store it in a perforated plastic bag or glass container.

Top down view of lots of lettuce

4. Wash loose-leaf lettuce

When life gets hectic, having loose-leaf lettuce can be a total lifesaver in the kitchen! 

But in order to keep it fresh for longer, it’s always a good idea to give it a quick rinse before storing it in the fridge (even if it comes pre-washed). 

This quick rinse will remove any lingering dirt and grit and remove any organic contaminants.

5. Wash (or don’t!) romaine lettuce

Romaine lettuce is a bit of an outlier as it can be stored unwashed or washed.

In my book, it’s a good idea to wash it first, so you’ll have it ready for your meals throughout the week.

Dry it well, and store it in the crisper drawer of your fridge in a loosely closed plastic bag. 

6. Use paper towels

This is one of my favorite tricks to keep lettuce fresh for longer!

Simply add one paper towel to the bag or container you use to store your lettuce. 

Then, simply store the bag in a drawer of your fridge away from fruit and other veggies (see point 2) for up to 10 days.

This will help absorb excess moisture and will keep your lettuce fresh for much longer. 

FAQ

How long does lettuce last in the fridge?

Most lettuce can last in the fridge for up to 10 days if washed and stored properly.
If you’re dealing with head lettuce, you can get almost 3 weeks out of it!

Can you actually cook lettuce?

Lettuce is usually served raw, but you can easily stir fry, grill, or braise it if you’re eating a hot dish!

Can you freeze lettuce?

You CAN freeze lettuce for up to 6 months. Simply remove any water with a paper towel and put your lettuce in an air-tight freezer bag.

Once frozen, thawed lettuce becomes watery and soggy. This is because lettuce is mostly water, and freezing can cause ice crystals to form within the leaves, which can lead to a limp and mushy texture once it’s thawed.

So obviously, you can’t use it for salads…But if you have too much lettuce, you can freeze it and use it for smoothies, soups, and stews.

More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love

Have you tried any of these lettuce salad recipes? Let me know in the comments how much you liked it!

Lettuce Salad Recipes

Tired of boring salads? This simple lettuce salad is the perfect side dish for summer days, a light lunch, or relaxed weeknight meals. And the wonderfully tangy but sweet dressing and a touch of parmesan cheese give it a wow factor! A great way to get your daily dose of healthy greens!
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 129kcal
Author: Sara Trezzi

Ingredients

  • 2 hearts lettuce - romaine or butterhead
  • 1 bundle red leaf lettuce
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan

Dressing

  • 1 lemon - zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon honey - or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Chop the lettuce and wash it in icy water (this will help to crisp it up). Drain very well and pat dry.
  • Mix the lemon juice and zest, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper in a jar or small mixing bowl.
  • Add the lettuce and the dressing to a large serving bowl and toss to combine.
  • Add the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (optional) and toss again.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Note 1: You can use any variety of crispy lettuce for this salad: Romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, little gem, and frisée lettuce. You could also add some Belgian endive, radicchio, or arugula to give this salad more punch.
How to store: Salads don’t keep very well. You should consume it immediately, as the lettuce will become soggy quickly after adding the dressing. You can, however, wash the lettuce and store it in the fridge. You can also make the dressing ahead and store it in the fridge. Remove the dressing at least 1 hour before serving, and mix with the salad.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g

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