Green leaf and iceberg lettuce might both be kitchen staples, but they bring completely different qualities to your plate.
At Hitchcock Farms, we've spent years perfecting both varieties and understand exactly what makes each one unique.
In this guide, you'll discover the key differences that'll help you choose the right lettuce for any dish.
The Real Differences Between Green Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Green Leaf vs Iceberg Lettuce
Green Leaf Lettuce: Vibrant Versatility
Green leaf's bright color and frilly leaves set it apart from other lettuce varieties.
It's a nutritionally dense, highly versatile green that can be added to sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more.
Origin
Leaf lettuce has a long and interesting history across the globe, even being pictured on tombs in Ancient Egypt around 3000 B.C.
Green leaf is one of the older varieties of leafy greens.
It was cultivated in the Mediterranean and the Middle East before being brought to Europe. From there, it was taken to the Americas in the late 15th century.
Varieties
Green leaf is a leaf lettuce variety, known for its loosely gathered, curly leaves.
Red leaf is another popular type of looseleaf, mainly differing from green leaf lettuce in its color.
Supreme Leaf lettuce, an exciting new introduction, has been cultivated by Hitchcock Farms to maintain its crisp texture and bright color even when exposed to high heat.
Prep & Cooking Tips
Wash all types of lettuce with running water before consuming.
You can dry the leaves by placing the lettuce in a salad spinner or gently patting them dry with a clean towel.
For salads or bowls, tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Cutting the leaves with a knife can cause browning or discoloring.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store green leaf and other loose leaf lettuces in plastic bags to extend their lifespan in the refrigerator.
Don't store your green leaf lettuce near fruits like apples and pears. These fruits release ethylene, a gas that will cause leafy greens to brown prematurely.
If stored correctly, your green leaf lettuce will stay fresh for around 5 days.
Recipes
Hot Italian Sandwich
Because it can withstand high temperatures, Hitchcock Farms’ Supreme Leaf lettuce is the perfect variety for hot sandwiches, like this classic Italian sandwich.
Top sliced ciabatta with mayo, giardiniera, and smoked paprika.
Layer mortadella, prosciutto, salami, and provolone on the bread.
Bake the sandwich until the bread toasts and the cheese melts, then top with Supreme Leaf and pepperoncinis.
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Embrace loose leaf lettuce's Mediterranean roots by using it as the base for this delicious, vegetarian Greek salad.
On a bed of green leaf lettuce, layer chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onions, chickpeas, and feta.
Top with a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs.
Juicy Burger
Add some greenery to an American favorite by piling Supreme Leaf lettuce on a classic cheeseburger.
True lettuce lovers could even swap the bun for Iceberg Babies, adding even more of a fresh, juicy crunch.
Add your favorite condiments to a toasted hamburger bun or halved head of baby iceberg.
Cook a burger to your desired doneness, then layer it on the bun with cheese, tomatoes, onions, and Supreme Leaf lettuce.
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Supreme Leaf and classic green leaf lettuce alike make a sturdy and tasty wrap for this Asian chicken recipe.
Prepare the sauce by mixing soy sauce, oil, vinegar, hoisin, peanut butter, honey, chili sauce, garlic, and ginger.
Cook ground chicken with onion, garlic, peppers, and water chestnuts, then add the sauce.
Scoop the chicken and veggies into lettuce cups and serve immediately.
Iceberg Lettuce: A Crispy Classic
Iceberg tends to be regarded as the crispiest, juiciest lettuce, making it a refreshing addition to salads, slaws, and cold sandwiches.
Origin
Iceberg is a fairly young type of lettuce, introduced in 1894 by Burpee Seeds and Plants.
Beloved for its crunchy and refreshing texture, it quickly gained traction in America.
The crisphead lettuce was grown primarily in California and other Western states. In the early 1900s, growers began to ship the leafy green across the country, storing it in ice boxes to maintain its freshness.
Some sources claim that the iceberg lettuce earned its name from this method of shipping, but this fun fact has been disputed.
Instead, the leafy green is most likely named for its icy white color and crispy texture.
Varieties
Introduced by Hitchcock Farms in 2005, Iceberg Babies are a smaller and sweeter variety of classic crisphead lettuce.
Despite its name, baby iceberg is fully mature lettuce with similar nutritional content to traditional iceberg.
Its small size and sweet flavor make it perfect for wedge salads, lettuce cups, stir fries, and more.
Prep & Cooking Tips
Always wash your lettuce with water before preparing it.
Iceberg is an incredibly versatile lettuce. You can shred it for slaws or sandwich toppings, or you can roughly chop it for a salad base.
To quickly core iceberg lettuce, hit it firmly against your counter with the core side down. The impact will separate the leaves from the core, and all you have to do is twist the core to pop it out.
Storage and Shelf Life
Make sure your lettuce is completely dry before storing it in the fridge.
Hold off on washing it until you're ready to cook, as any excess moisture will make it age faster.
Wrap the head of the lettuce tightly in plastic to extend its lifespan.
Traditional iceberg can keep for up to 12 days in the refrigerator, and baby iceberg lasts up to a week.
Recipes
Greek Chicken Lettuce Cups
Enjoy the crisp, juicy bite of iceberg with these Greek chicken lettuce cups, a healthy recipe bursting with fresh Mediterranean flavors.
Marinate chicken in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and oregano for at least two hours.
Cook the marinated chicken in a skillet, then slice it into thin strips.
Serve the chicken in baby iceberg lettuce cups topped with tzatziki dressing, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, red onion, and dill.
Winter Wedge Salad
Wedge salad is the quintessential iceberg dish. This recipe is a delicious, cozy take on the steakhouse favorite, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Poach cubed pears by boiling in a saucepan with tawny port, sugar, and cinnamon.
Prepare the vinaigrette by blending balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, oregano, and shallots.
Top quartered Iceberg Babies with toasted pine nuts, poached pears, gorgonzola cheese, salami, and the vinaigrette.
Iceberg Stir-Fry
Lettuce stir-fry may sound unusual, but iceberg's juicy and crispy texture lends itself well to this cooking technique.
It's easy to tuck away an entire head of iceberg when stir-fried with this flavorful sauce.
Remove the outer leaves of the iceberg and tear the head into large chunks.
Add the lettuce to a wok with oil, ginger, and garlic, and cook on high heat for about 20 seconds.
Pour over the sauce, made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, and sugar.
Continue cooking the lettuce for about one more minute until slightly wilted.
Veggie Sandwich
Veggie sandwiches don't have to be bland or boring.
For a healthy and tasty lunch, try this veggie sandwich recipe made with roasted beets, pickled onions, and crispy baby iceberg.
Prepare the pickled onions by boiling red wine vinegar, sugar, and your preferred seasonings, then pour the mixture over sliced red onions in a heatproof bowl or jar.
Drizzle golden beets with olive oil and roast until soft.
Coat bread with an herb mayo, then top with the beets, sliced avocado, cucumbers, pickled onions, and Iceberg Babies.
Leafy Greens From Our Farm to Your Table
Whether you prefer the tender bite of green leaf or the satisfying crunch of iceberg, both deserve a spot at the table.
Here at Hitchcock Farms, we're proud to supply Supreme Leaf lettuce, Iceberg Babies, and a wide range of other high-quality produce so that home cooks and commercial kitchens alike can serve up the freshest recipes.
FAQ
Which lettuce is healthier, green leaf or iceberg?
It's a common misconception that iceberg doesn't have nutritional value.
All types of lettuce are a good source of vitamins and micronutrients.
Iceberg is a bit higher in fiber and potassium than green leaf, and green leaf boasts higher contents of vitamins A and K.
Can I substitute green leaf lettuce for iceberg in recipes?
Green leaf lettuce, especially sturdy varieties like Supreme Leaf, can make a good substitute for lettuce cups or wraps.
However, we recommend you stick to iceberg or Iceberg Babies for wedge salads and coleslaw.
Is green leaf lettuce more expensive than iceberg lettuce?
Production costs can vary based on the quantities you're ordering, your shipping needs, and seasonal availability.
You can reach out to a trusted produce supplier like Hitchcock Farms for more information on pricing.
