Size doesn't matter when a vegetable delivers nutrition, versatility and great taste.
Baby iceberg lettuce serves up all three. The compact veggie, a member of the Asteraceae family, is also available year-round.
Easy prep and recipe variety ensure baby iceberg's place in commercial kitchens.
From fast-casual operations to five-star restaurants, this special lettuce belongs on your list of must-have ingredients.
If you're already a fan, we offer great ideas for making even more of the little vegetable.
If you're new to the leafy green, read on. Find out why baby iceberg lettuce is so popular.
What Is Baby Iceberg Lettuce?
Our premium Iceberg Babies® debuted back in 2005 at the National Restaurant Association Show.
It took our teams here at Hitchcock Farms three years of focused research and development to reach that goal.
We're proud to report that Iceberg Babies® have been a year-round favorite with foodservice professionals ever since.
We call it baby iceberg because it's the size of a softball, but the little lettuce is a fully mature vegetable. Each head features broad, crispy leaves tightly wrapped around a compact core.
The flavor is best described as mildly sweet but surprisingly concentrated.
Because of its high water content, baby iceberg delivers a wonderful crunch. It boasts an impressive shelf life too.
Properly stored, lettuce heads stay fresh in the cooler for a week to 10 days.
How to Get Creative With Baby Iceberg Lettuce
Baby iceberg is an excellent choice for building classic wedge salads, but it can do so much more.
Its snugly bound leaves form a sturdy structure that inspires culinary creativity.
How can baby iceberg lettuce upgrade favorite dishes and enhance table presentations?
Let's take a quick look.
Unique Serving Bowls – Carve out its center, and fill the baby iceberg bowl with a creamy dip. It's also the perfect size for a shrimp cocktail or a tasting menu serving of chilled soup.
Crunchy Edible Cups – Add texture and fun to chicken salad dished up in flavorful cups of baby iceberg lettuce. This idea works great with taco fillings too.
Healthy Burger Buns – Make burgers healthier by nestling them inside iceberg baby buns. The sturdy leaves let diners keep a grip on their patties while they enjoy a crisp, no-carb burger experience.
Reimagined Wraps – Think outside the traditional Asian lettuce wrap. Reinvent sandwich favorites by bundling up BLTs, Philly cheesesteaks or even a signature tuna salad.
Delicious Stir-Fries – Put extra crunch in a stir-fry with generous portions of thinly sliced baby iceberg lettuce. Its crunch holds up to the high heat and adds a subtle sweetness to all types of stir-fry recipes.
Perfect Pickled Toppings – This idea layers a signature touch on everything, from burgers and tacos to salads and sides. Pickled baby iceberg toppings can span the flavor spectrum, depending on your taste and imagination.
Pro Tips for Storing and Prepping Baby Iceberg Lettuce
Treat it with care, and baby iceberg lettuce will keep refrigerated for a week to 10 days. Prep it with purpose, and the little veggie is ready for all your best recipes. Just follow these pro tips.
Always source premium Iceberg Babies® from a trusted supplier.
Don't wash iceberg baby lettuce before storing in the cooler or refrigerator.
Don't crowd it next to other refrigerated vegetables or fruits.
Do wash before prep, and dry with layered paper towels or a salad spinner.
Cut stem from head, slice in half, and thinly slice leaves.
For baby iceberg bowls or cups, core heads with a sharp knife.
Prepped lettuce can be frozen for six months and used in soups or casseroles.
7 Baby Iceberg Lettuce Recipes You'll Love
1. Sensational Stacked Salad
Why toss a salad when you can stack a presentation?
Layer iceberg baby leaves with sliced heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers.
Crown with kalamata olives, chickpeas and feta.
Serving Idea: An extra-large version of the sensational salad serves as a photogenic centerpiece and shared entree.
2. Very Veggie Sandwich
Why stop at a stacked baby iceberg salad?
Take the idea to another level by building a nutritious veggie sandwich.
The recipe includes in-house pickled onions and roasted golden beets.
Serving Idea: We suggest siding this special sandwich with house-made sweet potato chips.
3. Cool Summer Wedge Salad
Take the sizzle out of summer with a baby iceberg wedge salad.
Our cool version of the classic features fresh corn sliced off the cob and a house-made buttermilk ranch dressing.
Serving Idea: A scattering of cherry tomatoes and thin-sliced radishes add color to the plate.
4. Seasonal Winter Wedge Salad
Pair baby iceberg lettuce and favorite seasonal flavors in a winter wedge salad.
Warm up appetites with a combination of Calabrese salami, poached pears and roasted pine nuts.
Serving Idea: Go for peak buffet presentation by plating multiple wedges on self-serve platters.
5. Savory Steakhouse Wedge Salad
Preface your best steak entrees with a savory baby wedge salad.
A unique garnish of bacon cubes, candied pecans and dried cranberries top this sophisticated take on the traditional wedge.
Serving Idea: Fine-tune the salad's appetizing appeal with hickory or maple smoked bacon.
6. Fiery Thai Lettuce Wraps
Fresh lime, lemongrass and Thai chilies give these Thai pork lettuce wraps a unique flavor profile.
Crisp baby iceberg leaves and roasted peanuts add satisfying texture to the handheld entree.
Serving Idea: Blend extra fish and lime sauce, and serve as an enticing umami drizzle for the lettuce cups.
7. Spicy Chipotle Steak Cups
Treat your guests to a dining experience that's spicy, crunchy and very satisfying.
Make it fun to eat by presenting this chipotle steak dish in edible baby iceberg lettuce cups.
Serving Idea: Create a vegan-friendly version of the spicy cup with thin-sliced portobello mushrooms.
Small, Inspiring and Sustainably Grown
It's a small vegetable, but baby iceberg lettuce delivers impressive portions of recipe inspiration and serving ideas.
The little vegetable holds a big place in our lineup of premium products. We believe it deserves a place on everyone's list of ingredient must-haves.
Like all our produce, our Iceberg Babies® are sustainably grown, harvested with care, and shipped with genuine pride.
You always have our commitment to serve you with our best, fresh from our fields to your tables.
FAQs
Is baby iceberg lettuce nutritious?
Yes. Baby iceberg lettuce is a healthy source of potassium, folate and vitamins A and K, as well as important amino acids and dietary fiber. Iceberg babies are also fat- and cholesterol-free.
Can I source baby iceberg lettuce year-round?
Yes. By rotating our growing operations between the Salinas Valley and the Imperial Valley, we're able to plant and harvest our Iceberg Babies® year-round.
It's always fresh and always available.
How do I enhance the flavor of baby iceberg lettuce?
Baby iceberg is delicious in a variety of recipes. Bring out its mild sweetness in salads by adding fresh mint, parsley or rosemary. Top iceberg baby entrees with chives, blue cheese crumbles or thinly sliced red onion.
