Lettuce Facts and Salad Greens

Learn fun lettuce facts and general information about lettuce and salad greens. This page includes how lettuce grows, what to look for when buying it, how to store it, and easy ways to use it in salads, wraps, and other kid-friendly recipes.

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Fun Lettuce Facts

Lettuce is available year round.
Lettuces grow in the garden from tiny seeds.
There are different kinds of salad greens with different colors and textures.
Lettuce is most often eaten raw.
Salad greens can be used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, or as garnishes.

How Lettuce Grows, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Lettuce Is Available

Lettuce is available year round.

How Lettuce Grows

Lettuces grow in the garden from a tiny seed.

What to Look for When Buying Lettuce

Pick lettuces that are crisp and have a good color for their variety.

Lettuce Storage Tips

Store lettuce in the refrigerator crisper section.

Kid Tip: Crisp lettuce usually makes the best salads and wraps.

How to Cook with Lettuce

How to Use Lettuce and Salad Greens

Wash your salad greens well.
Use a salad spinner or towels to dry them.
Toss lettuce and greens into salads, sandwiches, wraps, or use them to garnish plates.
Most greens are not usually cooked, but some can be.

Cooking Tip: Dry lettuce well before tossing it with dressing so the salad does not get watery.

Lettuce Types

Iceberg lettuce is very crisp and crunchy but milder in flavor.

Romaine lettuce is sturdy and crisp with darker green leaves.

Leaf lettuce is softer and often more colorful, with green or red leaves.

Different kinds of salad greens can make salads look and taste different.

Food Science: Darker Greens vs. Iceberg

Why Do Darker Greens Matter?

Darker green salad greens usually contain more nutrients than very pale lettuces. That is why many people choose darker greens when they want a more nutritious salad.

Iceberg lettuce is crisp and refreshing, but darker greens like romaine often provide more vitamins.

Mini Activity

Lettuce Texture Test

Look at two or three different kinds of lettuce.
Feel how crunchy or soft each one is.
Taste a small piece of each.
Talk about which kind would work best in a salad, sandwich, or wrap.

Lettuce and Salad Greens Nutrition Facts

Look for salad greens that are darker green in color. Iceberg lettuce has less nutritional value. A 2-cup serving size can be high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

Darker greens can be high in vitamin A.
Darker greens can be high in vitamin C.
Darker greens can be high in vitamin K.
Iceberg lettuce is crisp but less nutritious than darker greens.

More Food Fact Resources

Lettuce Recipes

BLT Salad

This chilled BLT-style salad combines pasta, bacon, tomato, lettuce, and a creamy dressing.

Category: Salad
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

6 oz. elbow macaroni, cooked
8 slices bacon, cooked, cut up
1 large tomato, cut up
4 cups lettuce, cut up

Dressing

1 cup mayo or salad dressing
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
2 teaspoons sugar

Directions

Stir together cooked macaroni and chopped tomato in a serving bowl.
Mix dressing together and pour over macaroni and tomato.
Cover and chill.
Before serving, stir in lettuce and bacon.

Teaching Tip: This recipe is good for practicing measuring, stirring, and learning why some ingredients are added at the end for better texture.

Build-Your-Own Garden Salad Bar

This no-cook salad bar lets kids build their own salad using lettuce and a variety of toppings. It’s a fun way to explore flavors and practice making balanced meals.