This is what you need to know about romaine lettuce! These crunchy leafy greens are great for salads, sandwiches, and even grilled meats.
When it comes to versatility as a leafy green, Romaine is king! romaine lettuce is a lettuce variety with large, dark green leaves with a firm midrib. The inner leaves are light green and crisp, known as romaine heart. Romaine has a mild, sweet flavor and a moisturizing crunch. Best known for the classic Caesar salad, Romaine is great in salads but also grilled. Here’s a little more about this crunchy green salad and our top ways to use it in recipes.
Buy and store romaine lettuce
What to look for when buying romaine lettuce in the store? Here’s what you need to know:
- Look for lettuce with a tight head and firm, glossy leaves. Avoid soft or dull lettuce with discolored or yellowed parts.
- Wash romaine lettuce well before freezing. Remove any loose outer leaves. Wrap loosely in a damp cloth or place in an airtight container. Romaine will keep in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.
- Or wash and dry and store in a salad spinner in the fridge. A salad spinner will help dry greens quickly! You can leave whole or chopped leaves right in the press and refrigerate.
Romaine Lettuce Nutrition
Is Romaine Lettuce Good For You? Yes! Romaine lettuce is a very low calorie food that is packed with vitamins and nutrients. Here is a nutritional overview of romaine lettuce:
- Very low in calories. A cup of chopped romaine has only 8 calories (source).
- Romaine has no fat, cholesterol or sodium. Whatever your dressing, keep that in mind as you prepare these veggies.
- Good source of vitamin A, vitamin K and folic acid. (The source)
Romaine Lettuce Recipes
Romaine lettuce is most often eaten raw, but it can also be cooked! Use it in salads, sandwiches, or as a filling for tacos. It’s also fantastic grilled! Here are some recipe ideas:
This romaine lettuce is easy and gorgeous! It combines refreshing salad with creamy Green Goddess dressing and crunchy breadcrumbs.
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Grilled romaine lettuce is easy to make and adds a delicious smoky flavor to any salad. Top with parmesan for an easy appetizer or side dish!
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There is no more famous romaine lettuce recipe than the classic Caesar salad! This madness has the perfect balance of creamy house dressing, crunchy croutons, and crunchy salad.
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Romaine is great on a chopped salad, and this one will wow everyone at the table! Homemade Italian dressing, crunchy vegetables and parmesan combine to create an extraordinary salad.
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Here’s the tastiest taco salad recipe: a healthy and easy dinner that everyone loves – and adaptable to any diet! Romaine lettuce is the perfect bed for savory toppings.
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This classic Italian salad makes a stunning side dish! It includes crunchy romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, savory pepperoncini and a savory house dressing.
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More frequently asked questions
Do you want to know more about Romaine? Here are some frequently asked questions:
What else do you want to know? Let us know in the comments below: and let us know if you try any of these Roman recipes!
More quick guides? Try the Endive Quick Start Guide, Butter Salad Quick Start Guide, and Frisee Quick Start Guide.
The description
This romaine lettuce is easy and gorgeous! It combines refreshing salad with creamy Green Goddess dressing and crunchy breadcrumbs.
- 2 Roman hearts (approx. 8 cups chopped)
- 2 Radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 Shallot, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Green Goddess Dressing (or coriander sauce for vegans)
- ¼ cup Italian Panko*
- Parmesan shavings for garnish (optional)
- Chop the Roman hearts. Thinly slice the radishes and shallot.
- Prepare the green goddess dressing.
- Arrange the romaine lettuce on salad plates or a large platter. Garnish with radish slices, shallot and Parmesan shavings. Drizzle with vinaigrette and sprinkle with Italian panko.
Remarks
*Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb mix that is lighter and airier than regular breadcrumbs. It has a crunchy texture that goes better with salads (the breadcrumbs are much finer with an almost sandy texture). “Italian” means that herbs and salt are added. You should be able to easily find Italian panko or plain panko at your local grocery store (they often sell gluten-free, too). If you just have plain panko, you can season it: Mix ½ cup panko with ⅛ tsp kosher salt and ½ tbsp Italian seasoning (or 1 tsp dried oregano and ¼ tsp dried basil and thyme).
- Category: salad
- Method: No chef
- Kitchen: salad
- Diet: vegetarian
Keywords: romaine lettuce
