Lettuce Types: 6 Different Varieties of Lettuce

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a veggie known for its bright green leaves—although there are some red leaf varieties—and crispy, crunchy texture. People commonly use it as a salad base and usually top it with a vinaigrette or thicker salad dressing (like blue cheese or ranch). Similarly, many use loose-leaf lettuce as a topping for sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and more.

Lettuce grows in cool climates and comes in both bunches and loose-leaf varieties at most grocery stores. Its nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, and iron. You should always store lettuce in an airtight container in your refrigerator to prevent it from wilting.

Lettuce comes in many different shapes and sizes. Here are just six varieties of lettuce to consider:

1. 1. Batavia lettuce: Also known as summercrisp lettuce, Batavia (or Batavian) lettuce has a mild flavor and softer texture than some of its close relatives.
2. 2. Butterhead lettuce: People also refer to butterhead lettuce as buttercrunch or just plain butter lettuce. The butterhead variety of lettuce includes both Bibb lettuce and Boston lettuce, both of which possess a mildly sweet flavor and buttery texture.
3. 3. Iceberg lettuce: Sometimes known as crisphead lettuce, iceberg lettuce comes in very large bunches. Its crisp leaves serve as the basis for many different wedge salads.
4. 4. Mesclun: A mix of small-sized—or baby—lettuce leaves, mesclun also goes by the name spring mix.
5. 5. Oak leaf lettuce: With a name originating from the fact that its leaves look like they came from oak trees, oak leaf lettuce is softer than some alternatives.
6. 6. Romaine lettuce: Occasionally called Cos lettuce or Little Gem lettuce, Romaine lettuce serves as the classic base to the iconic Caesar salad.

You might mistake several other leafy greens for forms of lettuce, but many of these usual suspects descend from different plant families. Here are six lettuce alternatives to consider including in a salad mix:

1. 1. Arugula: You can identify Arugula (or Italian cress) by its dark green leaves and bitter flavor. It’s easy to seek out an heirloom or organic variety of this leafy green.
2. 2. Chicory: With a bitter taste and a host of different types, chicory goes by both French and English names. Belgian endive, curly endive, escarole, frisée, lamb’s lettuce, mâche, radicchio, and watercress are just a few of the varieties.
3. 3. Dandelion: You probably know dandelions more for their flowers, but you can also use their green leaves and stems in a salad mix.
4. 4. Kale: It’s easy to misconstrue the crunchy, crinkly vegetables called kale for lettuce. But these salad greens have more in common with Brussels sprouts and broccoli, despite their leafier consistency.
5. 5. Mizuna: This Asian salad green descends from the mustard plant. It’s notable for its spicy flavor.
6. 6. Spinach: These soft leaves are one of the most common alternatives to lettuce you’ll find used for salads and toppings. Spinach is a rich source of many different types of nutrients.

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Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a veggie known for its bright green leaves—although there are some red leaf varieties—and crispy, crunchy texture. People commonly use it as a salad base and usually top it with a vinaigrette or thicker salad dressing (like blue cheese or ranch). Similarly, many use loose-leaf lettuce as a topping for sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and more.

Lettuce grows in cool climates and comes in both bunches and loose-leaf varieties at most grocery stores. Its nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, and iron. You should always store lettuce in an airtight container in your refrigerator to prevent it from wilting.

Lettuce comes in many different shapes and sizes. Here are just six varieties of lettuce to consider:

1. 1. Batavia lettuce: Also known as summercrisp lettuce, Batavia (or Batavian) lettuce has a mild flavor and softer texture than some of its close relatives.
2. 2. Butterhead lettuce: People also refer to butterhead lettuce as buttercrunch or just plain butter lettuce. The butterhead variety of lettuce includes both Bibb lettuce and Boston lettuce, both of which possess a mildly sweet flavor and buttery texture.
3. 3. Iceberg lettuce: Sometimes known as crisphead lettuce, iceberg lettuce comes in very large bunches. Its crisp leaves serve as the basis for many different wedge salads.
4. 4. Mesclun: A mix of small-sized—or baby—lettuce leaves, mesclun also goes by the name spring mix.
5. 5. Oak leaf lettuce: With a name originating from the fact that its leaves look like they came from oak trees, oak leaf lettuce is softer than some alternatives.
6. 6. Romaine lettuce: Occasionally called Cos lettuce or Little Gem lettuce, Romaine lettuce serves as the classic base to the iconic Caesar salad.

You might mistake several other leafy greens for forms of lettuce, but many of these usual suspects descend from different plant families. Here are six lettuce alternatives to consider including in a salad mix:

1. 1. Arugula: You can identify Arugula (or Italian cress) by its dark green leaves and bitter flavor. It’s easy to seek out an heirloom or organic variety of this leafy green.
2. 2. Chicory: With a bitter taste and a host of different types, chicory goes by both French and English names. Belgian endive, curly endive, escarole, frisée, lamb’s lettuce, mâche, radicchio, and watercress are just a few of the varieties.
3. 3. Dandelion: You probably know dandelions more for their flowers, but you can also use their green leaves and stems in a salad mix.
4. 4. Kale: It’s easy to misconstrue the crunchy, crinkly vegetables called kale for lettuce. But these salad greens have more in common with Brussels sprouts and broccoli, despite their leafier consistency.
5. 5. Mizuna: This Asian salad green descends from the mustard plant. It’s notable for its spicy flavor.
6. 6. Spinach: These soft leaves are one of the most common alternatives to lettuce you’ll find used for salads and toppings. Spinach is a rich source of many different types of nutrients.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.