
What is a good substitute for iceberg lettuce?
Mar 09, 2020 · Iceberg is a head lettuce, meaning it grows in a ball rather than leafy form, and it is known for its comparatively small, densely packed heads. The outer leaves are bright green in color, while the inner leaves and heart are light green to yellow and sometimes even white.
How is healthy or nutritious is iceberg lettuce?
Iceberg Lettuce This is probably the most famous and recognizable form of head lettuce. Iceberg lettuce is also sometimes referred to as crisphead, and it is a pale green leafy vegetable that forms into a tight cabbage style head. Iceberg lettuce is typically defined by its mild flavor and crisp texture. Click to see full answer.
Is there anything good about iceberg lettuce?
Is a head of lettuce iceberg? The term can be used to describe any kind of lettuce that forms what we call a “head.” If you've ever looked at iceberg lettuce in the vegetable section of your local supermarket, you can tell that it is head lettuce. So, while not all head lettuce is iceberg lettuce, all iceberg lettuce is head lettuce.
Why is iceberg lettuce so maligned?
Head Lettuce (Iceberg Type) This is the standard crisp-head variety with large solid hearts and very crisp, tasty leaves. In warmer parts of the country, it may not form the tight heads that it does in California (where most head lettuce is commercially grown), but the looser heads that do form are delicious and distinctly Iceberg nonetheless.

Is head lettuce the same as iceberg lettuce?
The term can be used to describe any kind of lettuce that forms what we call a “head.” If you've ever looked at iceberg lettuce in the vegetable section of your local supermarket, you can tell that it is head lettuce. So, while not all head lettuce is iceberg lettuce, all iceberg lettuce is head lettuce.
Is iceberg lettuce also called head lettuce?
Iceberg--a head lettuce, as opposed to a leaf lettuce--is also known as "crisphead" lettuce since one of its chief virtues (some say its only virtue) is that it stays fresher longer than leaf lettuces."
What is considered head lettuce?
Definition of head lettuce : any of various cultivated lettuces that constitute a distinct variety (Lactuca sativa capitata) and are distinguished by leaves arranged in a dense rosette which ultimately develops into a compact head suggesting that of cabbage — compare leaf lettuce.
What type of lettuce is iceberg?
Crisphead lettuce, more commonly known as iceberg, has a tight head of crisp leaves. Often found in the local salad bar and a virtual staple in the delicious BLT, it's actually one of the more difficult lettuce varieties to grow.Jun 20, 2021
What is the difference between head lettuce and leaf lettuce?
There are three types of leaf lettuce: red, green, and oak. Don't look for a "head" on them because the leaves branch from a single stalk. For this reason, leaf lettuce is generally more perishable than head varieties. You'll often see it in "baby lettuce," mesclun, and spring mixes because of its tenderness.Jan 30, 2019
Is a head of lettuce the same as cabbage?
07/7Appearance Cabbage consists of a short stem and a head that forms a bulb-type shape, which is usually green in color. The outer leaves are harder to eat, while the inner ones are soft. On the other hand, lettuce has a short stem and leaves that wrap around each other.May 31, 2019
What is a small head of lettuce called?
Butter Lettuce. Photo © Francesca Yorke/Getty Images. Butter lettuce is commonly available. It is a crisp-head lettuce, meaning its leaves form a compact head as it grows—although its head is much less compact than iceberg lettuce.Mar 25, 2020
What looks like a head of lettuce?
Escarole. Looks like a larger head of Bibb lettuce because of its pale green color, but stronger in flavor. Bitter, crunchy, and stands up well to braising and Italian soups with beans.Jul 10, 2019
What do you call a head of romaine lettuce?
In North America, romaine is sold as whole heads or as “hearts” that have had the outer leaves removed and are often packaged together.
Is iceberg lettuce and cabbage same?
Meanwhile, green cabbage is higher in most nutrients — except vitamin A. Cabbage is also higher in minerals than iceberg lettuce....Nutritional differences between cabbage and lettuce.Green cabbageIceberg lettuceProtein1 gram1 gramCarbs6 grams3 gramsFatLess than 1 gramLess than 1 gramFiber3 grams1 gram6 more rows•May 24, 2019
What's wrong with iceberg lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce often gets a bad rap—while the classic leafy green is a staple in wedge salads, it gets a lot of flak from fiber-conscious kale fans. Some call it tasteless, watery, even completely devoid of nutrients. Given the choice, most health conscious individuals tend to pick other types of lettuce.Jul 27, 2018
What are the 4 main types of lettuce?
Lettuce is placed in one of four categories: crisphead, butterhead, romaine and loose-leaf.
What's the healthiest lettuce?
So, to answer your question, the most nutritious lettuce is Romaine. Compared to red leaf, green leaf, butterhead (Boston and bib types) and iceberg, it delivers more folate, potassium, beta carotene and lutein.
How do you keep lettuce crisp?
After washing your lettuce leaves, spin them dry and place the slightly damp greens in a container. A container is best, but you can use a plastic bag if you keep a corner open (to allow some airflow in). Add a few paper towels to absorb excess moisture and you'll be able to store these greens for seven to 10 days.
Is iceberg lettuce bad?
The Verdict. Iceberg lettuce isn't as bad for you as you may think. It's actually a perfectly healthy food, and if you like the taste, you should include it in your meals. However, due to its high water content, iceberg lettuce is less nutritionally dense than dark leafy greens like spinach or kale.
How do you crisp lettuce?
Fill the bowl with fresh cold water and add ¼ cup of vinegar, begin to swish the lettuce in the vinegar and water solution. The vinegar will remove some of the microbials (a bacterium that causes disease), dry any slimy mucus and crisp the lettuce – all at the same time.
Will head lettuce grow back?
Head lettuce will die back, but most leaf-lettuce plants renew efforts to produce leaves, if regularly watered after trimming. Results will often be smaller than the original plant, but you may be able to harvest a second, good-tasting crop within as little as two weeks.
What is head lettuce called?
Lettuce. Romaine is the classic lettuce of choice for Caesar salads. Because it's said to have originated on the Aegean island of Cos, romaine is also called Cos lettuce. The term head lettuce describes those varieties on which the leaves grow in a dense rosette.
Can I eat iceberg lettuce raw?
Many people remove the outer leaves before eating, but this isn't necessary if you wash them thoroughly. Make sure to keep iceberg lettuce refrigerated and eat it within a few days of purchasing. Iceberg lettuce has a very mild flavor, which makes it adaptable to many salads and other recipes.
Key Facts
Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, has long been a popular type of lettuce sold in the United States. It is characterized by a tight head of crisp, light green leaves.
Introduction
Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, is one of the six types of lettuce crops, which includes Romaine, loose-leaf, and butterhead, and it is one of the only types not available in a red varietal. These L. sativa cultivars are all within Lactuca genus, which includes most other varieties of lettuce.
Foodborne Outbreaks and Recalls
Lettuce has been associated with a number of outbreaks and is linked to Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella. In some cases, outbreaks have been traced to lettuce, but a specific type was not identified.
Production
Iceberg lettuce is one of the most popular types of lettuce produced in the United States, and its superior shipping quality has enabled it to be a top seller for producers. The average U.S.
Food Safety
Due to its susceptibility to pathogens during all phases of production, iceberg lettuce, like most lettuce varieties, raises many food safety concerns. Lettuce is commonly associated with foodborne illness because there is minimal processing of the raw, leafy greens.
Consumption
As previously mentioned, iceberg or crisphead lettuce has historically been one of the most popular lettuce types consumed in the United States. Iceberg lettuce is not the most nutritious variety; however, it is well-liked because of its crunchy, crisp texture, and mild flavor.
Nutrition
Leafy vegetables are sources of various bioactive compounds because, in addition to being principal photosynthetic sites, leaves are accrual areas for various phytochemicals with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other defensive properties.
Specifications
Content on this site is for reference purposes only. Target does not represent or warrant that the nutrition, ingredient, allergen and other product information on our Web or Mobile sites are accurate or complete, since this information comes from the product manufacturers.
Description
This Iceberg Lettuce from Green Giant® offers a variety of uses while being low in calories, making it an excellent component in your veggie drawer. Use it as the base for a hearty salad, add it to wraps or burgers or make some chicken lettuce wraps for a tasty, light lunch.
Terrible lettuce
The lettuce seemed like it was a nice head of lettuce but when I started pulling the outer leaves off, the inside had so many brown spots all over it (I will try sending you pictures) that I had to throw 2/3 of it away.
Bugs in lettuce!
There was bugs under one of the leaves of this lettuce RIGHT when I got home. Thank god my husband pulled off the first few leaves before washing it.
really small
While this head of lettuce was fresh, it was quite small and not very dense. Not what I would have picked if I had been shopping in the store.
Crisp, clean lettuce at the right price with all of the convenience
Lettuce was fresh and crisp- I love Target’s produce and food section- the prices are either comparable or even slightly lower than grocery stores.
Value lettuce
It is Long lasting. Better value than bagged salads… It’s good for wedge salad, green salad or sandwiches.
Health Benefits
Iceberg lettuce is a great bridge food for people who don’t eat enough other vegetables. It has a mild, sweet flavor and a pleasant crunch. And while iceberg lettuce gets a bad reputation for not being as nutritious as other lettuces, it’s packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and folate.
Nutrition
Iceberg lettuce has just 10 calories per cup of shredded lettuce, making it one of the least caloric foods you can eat. You can use iceberg lettuce to add substance to your meals without the added calories. Iceberg lettuce also contains:
About Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce is often referred as a ‘useless’ vegetable and there is also a joke stating that this vegetable will provide as much nutrients as a cardboard. Despite the fact that the iceberg lettuce has far less number of nutrients when compared to other green vegetables, it is not altogether ‘useless’ and has a few benefits.
Nutritional Value of Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce is low in sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol. However, it is rich in potassium and manganese and also contains iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It is also a very good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6 and thiamin.
Health Benefits of Iceberg Lettuce
After getting iceberg lettuce nutrition data, let check out the best health benefits of Iceberg Lettuce. We also discuss here some side effects of consumption of iceberg lettuce and its cultivation details.
Uses of Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce is a favorite choice for use in sandwiches and salads due to its mild flavor and firm, crunchy texture. It adds a pleasant crunchy flavor to salads. The uniform, pale-green leaves of this vegetable make it easy to be used in sandwiches.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Iceberg Lettuce
As iceberg lettuce is mostly made up of water, harm to your health can only be caused if you consume a lot of it. Excessive consumption of this vegetable can lead to carotenodermia as it contains beta-carotene. However, iceberg lettuce contains a high percentage of pesticide residues which are very harmful for our health.
Cultivation of Iceberg Lettuce
It is recommended to start growing iceberg lettuces indoors so as to provide time for the lettuce to mature before the hot weather sets in. This vegetable is generally a cool weather crop that requires a long growing season. This crop requires 80-90 days to mature.
Help, My Lettuce is Not Forming Heads
Lettuce is a cool season crop that will bolt or fail to fix heads when daytime temperatures are higher than 70 degrees F. (21 C.) Although relatively easy to grow, head lettuce problems may range from slug and snail damage to loose heads. Pest problems are easy to deal with, but only climactic conditions can ensure head formation.
Reasons for No Lettuce Heads
Lettuce grows well in organically rich soil with superior drainage. Sow the seeds in early spring after working in a layer of organic matter and tilling to a depth of at least 6 inches (15 cm.). Direct sow seeds in prepared soil where the plants will receive indirect light and are protected from the hottest rays of the sun.
Fixing No Head Formation
Lettuce is very sensitive to heat and exposure to summer temperatures or a warm spell can keep them from forming correctly. Head lettuce is more suited for northern climates, but gardeners in warmer zones can successfully produce the green.
Other Head Lettuce Problems
Head lettuce needs cool temperatures and shorter day lengths for best head formation. When planted too late in the season, the plant will bolt (form seed heads). The greens also get bitter when temperatures are higher than 70 degrees F. (21 C.).

Key Facts
- Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, has long been a popular type of lettuce sold in the United States. It is characterized by a tight head of crisp, light green leaves.
- A crispy texture and neutral taste has made iceberg lettuce a popular addition to salad mixes, as it counterbalances the bitterness of many other types of lettuces.
- The main varieties of iceberg lettuce grown in the U.S. are Crispino, Great Lakes, Keeper, Itha…
- Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, has long been a popular type of lettuce sold in the United States. It is characterized by a tight head of crisp, light green leaves.
- A crispy texture and neutral taste has made iceberg lettuce a popular addition to salad mixes, as it counterbalances the bitterness of many other types of lettuces.
- The main varieties of iceberg lettuce grown in the U.S. are Crispino, Great Lakes, Keeper, Ithaca, Maverick, and Raider.
- As a raw agricultural product with high moisture content and surface area, lettuce is susceptible to contamination. These growth characteristics are part of the reason that the Centers for Disease...
Introduction
- Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisphead, is one of the six types of lettuce crops, which includes Romaine, loose-leaf, and butterhead, and it is one of the only types not available in a red varietal. These L. sativa cultivars are all within Lactucagenus, which includes most other varieties of lettuce. Because it is made up of about 95% water, crisphead lettuce nutritional content ranks th…
Foodborne Outbreaks and Recalls
- Lettuce has been associated with a number of outbreaks and is linked to Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella. In some cases, outbreaks have been traced to lettuce, but a specific type was not identified. Between 2000 and 2020, at least 31 iceberg lettuce-associated outbreaks were reported to CDC’s National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS), caus…
Production
- Iceberg lettuce is one of the most popular types of lettuce produced in the United States, and its superior shipping quality has enabled it to be a top seller for producers. The average U.S. price for head lettuce in the 2016 season was $27.70 per hundred weight and the estimated gross value per acre was $10,400 with production costs varying upon location. In recent years, other varietie…
Food Safety
- Due to its susceptibility to pathogens during all phases of production, iceberg lettuce, like most lettuce varieties, raises many food safety concerns. Lettuce is commonly associated with foodborne illness because there is minimal processing of the raw, leafy greens. Contamination can occur in the field (due to the plant’s proximity to the ground), during harvesting, or during tra…
Consumption
- As previously mentioned, iceberg or crisphead lettuce has historically been one of the most popular lettuce types consumed in the United States. Iceberg lettuce is not the most nutritious variety; however, it is well-liked because of its crunchy, crisp texture, and mild flavor. One fourth of iceberg lettuce produced can be found in prepackaged salad mixes. About 98% of the lettuce co…
Nutrition
- Leafy vegetables are sources of various bioactive compounds because, in addition to being principal photosynthetic sites, leaves are accrual areas for various phytochemicals with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other defensive properties. In general, iceberg lettuce lacks the kind of nutritional value often found in other types of leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, and it is …
References
- Akbas, M.y. Ö H. Inactivation of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on iceberg lettuce by dip wash treatments with organic acids. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 2007 Jun 1;44(6):619–24.
- Boriss, Hayley B Henrich. Commodity profile: Lettuce. University of California [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2017 Aug 30]; Available from: https://col.st/2wfSa
- Akbas, M.y. Ö H. Inactivation of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on iceberg lettuce by dip wash treatments with organic acids. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 2007 Jun 1;44(6):619–24.
- Boriss, Hayley B Henrich. Commodity profile: Lettuce. University of California [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2017 Aug 30]; Available from: https://col.st/2wfSa
- Davidson, Gordon R. B Annemarie L, Ryser, Elliot T. Efficacy of Commercial Produce Sanitizers against Nontoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 during Processing of Iceberg Lettuce in a Pilot-Scale Lea...
- Gorny, James R. G Hank, Gombas, David M Kathy. Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Lettuce and Leafy Greens Supply Chains| Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. Ava…