Quick Guide to Romaine Lettuce

Here’s what to know about romaine lettuce! This crunchy leafy green is ideal in salads, sandwiches and even grilled.

When it comes to versatility as a leafy green, romaine is king! Romaine lettuce is a type of lettuce with a tall, dark green leaves with a firm central rib. The inner leaves are light green and crunchy, known as the romaine heart. Romaine has a mild, sweet flavor and a hydrating crunch. Best known for the classic Caesar salad, romaine is ideal in salads but also works grilled. Here’s a bit more about this crunchy salad green and our top ways to use it in recipes.

Buying and storing romaine lettuce

What to look for when you’re buying romaine lettuce at the store? Here’s what to know:

• Look for lettuce with a tight head and firm, shiny leaves. Avoid limp or dull lettuce with discolored or yellowed parts.
• Thoroughly wash romaine lettuce before refrigerating. Remove any loose outer leaves. Wrap it loosely in a damp cloth or place it in an airtight container. Romaine lasts for 5 to 7 days refrigerated.
• Or, wash and dry and store in a salad spinner in the fridge. A salad spinner makes quick work of drying the greens! You can leave whole or chopped leaves right in the spinner and place it in the refrigerator.

Romaine lettuce nutrition

Is romaine lettuce good for you? Yes! Romaine lettuce is very low calorie food that’s packed with vitamins and nutrients. Here’s an outline of romaine lettuce nutrition:

• Very low in calories. One cup of chopped romaine has only 8 calories (source).
• Romaine has no fat, cholesterol or sodium. However your salad dressing might, so keep that in mind when preparing this vegetable.
• Good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and folate. (source)

Romaine lettuce recipes

Romaine lettuce is most often eaten raw, but it can also be cooked! Use it in salads, in sandwiches or as a garnish for tacos. It’s also fantastic grilled! Here are a few recipe ideas:

Romaine Lettuce Salad with Green Goddess

This romaine salad is simple and stunning! It pairs the refreshing lettuce with creamy Green Goddess dressing and crunchy breadcrumbs.

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Grilled Romaine

Grilled romaine lettuce is easy to make and adds a delightfully smoky flavor to any salad. Top with Parmesan for a simple appetizer or side dish!

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Classic Caesar Salad

Here's no romaine recipe more famous than the classic Caesar salad! This stunner has the perfect balance of creamy homemade dressing, crunchy croutons, and crisp lettuce.

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Favorite Chopped Salad

Romaine is ideal for a chopped salad, and this one will amaze everyone around the table! Homemade Italian dressing, crisp veggies and Parmesan cheese combine into one extraordinary salad.

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Ultimate Taco Salad

Here’s the tastiest taco salad recipe: a healthy and easy dinner everyone loves — and customizable for any diet! Romaine lettuce makes the ideal bed for the zingy toppings.

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Perfect Italian Salad

This classic Italian salad is a stunning side dish! It features crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, tangy pepperoncini, and a punchy homemade dressing.

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More FAQ

Want to know more about romaine? Here are a few more frequently asked questions:

• What’s a romaine substitute? Try a butter lettuce like Bibb lettuce or Boston lettuce. It’s not as crunchy but the flavor is sweet and mild.
• Is it safe to eat romaine? Yes, the FDA says E. coli outbreak associated with romaine lettuce is over.

What else do you want to know? Let us know in the comments below: and let us know if you try any of these romaine recipes!

More quick guides? Try Quick Guide to Endive, Quick Guide to Butter Lettuce and Quick Guide to Frisee.

Romaine Lettuce Salad

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

This romaine salad is simple and stunning! It pairs the refreshing lettuce with creamy Green Goddess dressing and crunchy breadcrumbs.

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Ingredients

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• 2 romaine hearts (about 8 cups chopped)
• 2 radishes, thinly sliced
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• ½ cup Green Goddess Dressing (or Cilantro Sauce for vegan)
• ¼ cup Italian panko*
• Parmesan shavings, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Chop the romaine hearts. Thinly slice the radishes and shallot.
2. Make the Green Goddess Dressing.
3. Place the romaine on salad plates or a large platter. Top with the sliced radishes, shallot, and Parmesan cheese shavings. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with Italian panko.

Notes

*Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb mixture that is airier and lighter than traditional breadcrumbs. It has a crunchy texture which is more satisfying on salads (breadcrumbs are much finer with almost a sand-like texture). “Italian” means herbs and salt are added. You should be able to find Italian panko or plain panko easily at your local grocery store (often they also sell gluten-free). If all you have is plain panko, you can season it: mix ½ cup panko with ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt and ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano and ¼ teaspoon each dried basil and thyme).

• Category: Salad
• Method: No cook
• Cuisine: Salad
• Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Romaine lettuce