Green Leaf vs Romaine Lettuce: What Are the Key Differences?

Romaine and green leaf lettuce might be similar, but they bring very different things to the plate.

Here at Hitchcock Farms, we know how important it is to use the best produce for your recipes.

In this blog, we're diving into the key differences between green leaf and romaine.

What's the Difference Between Green Leaf and Romaine Lettuce?

Category	Green Leaf Lettuce	Romaine Lettuce
Texture	Green Leaf Tender and slightly crispy	Romaine Tender outer leaves; crunchy, juicy inner leaves
Flavor	Green Leaf Mild and nutty	Romaine Slightly sweet and earthy
Nutrition	Green Leaf 1 cup: 5 calories , 133mcg vitamin A, 56mcg vitamin K, 14mcg folate	Romaine 1 cup: 10 calories , 1g fiber, 205mcg vitamin A, 58mcg vitamin K, 64mcg folate
Shelf Life	Green Leaf Up to 10 days in the refrigerator	Romaine Up to 20 days in the refrigerator
Best Uses	Green Leaf Mixed salads, warm sandwiches, burgers	Romaine Caesar salad, lettuce cups, grilling, sandwiches

Green Leaf Lettuce: Crunchy and Versatile Chef's Favorite

Known for its frilly leaves, vibrant color, and tender texture, green leaf lettuce is a favorite for salads and sandwiches.

Origin

Lettuce originated in the Middle East thousands of years ago and then traveled to Asia and Europe, where new varieties were developed.

By the 1400s, looseleaf lettuce was being cultivated in Europe. In the next couple of centuries, the leafy green was brought to the Americas.

Varieties

Green leaf is a variety of looseleaf and a cousin of red leaf lettuce, a popular addition to mixed salads.

Hitchcock Farms recently introduced Supreme Leaf lettuce, a variety of green leaf that boasts a vibrant green color, a crisp texture, and an ability to withstand high heat, making it perfect for hot sandwiches.

Cooking & Prep Tips

Green leaf lettuce should be rinsed with water and dried in a salad spinner or with paper towels before being consumed.

You can chop it with a sharp knife, or you can tear it into bite-sized pieces to avoid browned edges.

Storage

Store loose-leaf lettuce in a plastic bag in the refrigerator to maximize its freshness.

Keep it away from meat, poultry, seafood, and fruit.

If your green leaf lettuce starts to wilt, you can dunk it in ice water for about 15 minutes to revitalize it.

Recipes

Hot Italian Sandwich

Hitchcock Farms’ Supreme Leaf lettuce adds the perfect crunch to this hot Italian sandwich made with tender, chewy ciabatta.

• Slice the ciabatta lengthwise and spread a mixture of mayo, giardiniera, and paprika on the open faces.

• Layer prosciutto, mortadella, salami, and provolone on the bread.

• Bake the sandwich until the cheese starts to melt, then pile Supreme Leaf and pepperonis on top.

Juicy Classic Burger

Green leaf, especially the Supreme Leaf variety, makes a delicious topping on the classic burger.

• Toast a hamburger bun and add a spread of mayo, ketchup, or your other favorite condiment.

• Layer a medium rare burger, melted cheese, pickled onions, tomatoes, and Supreme Leaf lettuce on the bun.

Brussels Sprout Tacos

Swap out the corn tortillas for green leaf lettuce shells to turn this Brussels sprout taco recipe into a low-carb favorite.

• Cook Brussels sprouts in oil in a skillet until they begin to tenderize.

• Prepare the salsa by cooking tomatillos, onion, and jalapeno in a saucepan, then blending until smooth with salt, lime juice, and cilantro.

• Line green leaf lettuce shells with the salsa, fill with Brussels sprouts, and top with cilantro and avocado.

Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and Consistent Kitchen Staple

Romaine is known for its long, sturdy leaves packed tightly into heads. Its crisp texture and sweet flavor add a delightful crunch to salads, sandwiches, and more.

Origin

Romaine is the oldest form of domesticated lettuce, dating back to Egypt 5,000 years ago. The leafy green was even found on ancient Egyptian carvings.

Romaine was also cultivated by the Roman Empire and had traveled to France by the 14th century. In America, its name refers to its Roman origins.

Varieties

Classic romaine is one of the most popular types of lettuce.

Romaine hearts, which contain only the crunchy inner leaves of the lettuce, are also a great alternative.

Another variety is little gem, which is similar to a baby romaine lettuce. This leafy green has a sweet and delicate flavor and makes a good addition to salads and sandwiches.

Cooking & Prep Tips

To prepare romaine, remove the outer leaves and snap off the root base.

Plunge the romaine or romaine hearts into cold water to preserve their crispness.

If you're making a salad, you can roughly chop the leaves.

To top burgers or sandwiches, perform a chiffonade cut by separating and stacking the leaves, rolling them up, and cutting across the roll to create thin ribbons.

Storage

Romaine lasts the longest when given room to breathe. Open the package or remove the lettuce from the packaging entirely.

The tight outer leaves keep the lettuce fresh, so store romaine unwashed and uncut until you're ready to consume it.

If storing washed and prepared romaine, make sure it's fully dry.

You can store romaine in the crisper drawer or on the lowest shelf in the refrigerator.

Recipes

Romaine Heart Caesar Salad

Romaine makes the base of the traditional Caesar salad, a crowd-pleasing side that pairs well with a wide variety of dishes.

• Roughly chop romaine hearts and toss with croutons.

• Mix a dressing of mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, anchovies, parmesan, salt, and pepper.

• Coat the salad with the dressing, and top with parmesan and pepper.

Romaine and Apple Salad

This simple salad offers a delicious blend of savory, sweet, and tart flavors.

• Prepare the dressing of mayonnaise, blue cheese, vinegar, sour cream, buttermilk, and salt. Spread a dollop of dressing onto the plate.

• Slice romaine heads lengthwise and place on top of the dressing.

• Top the romaine with chopped apples, candied walnuts, and chives.

Curry Chicken Salad

Romaine is sturdy and crunchy enough to make great lettuce cups. This curry chicken salad is served on whole leaves of romaine hearts.

• Prepare the chicken salad by mixing shredded roasted chicken, mayonnaise, raisins, scallions, pistachios, celery, and seasonings.

• Remove the small inner leaves of the romaine head and fill them with chicken salad. Top with pistachios and scallions.

Healthy Greens You Can Rely On

Green leaf and romaine have their differences, but they're both fantastic, healthy greens that can be used in a wide variety of recipes.

Hitchcock Farms is committed to providing the best quality produce so that your recipes shine.

Whether you're whipping up a quick lunch in your home kitchen or serving guests at your commercial restaurant, we're happy to help.

FAQ

Can I use green leaf instead of romaine lettuce?

Green leaf lettuce is similar in texture and flavor to romaine, so it makes a good substitute in most recipes.

Keep in mind that romaine is slightly sweeter and crunchier than looseleaf lettuce.

If you love the crisp bite of romaine, make sure you swap it out with the freshest green leaf lettuce or with a variety like Supreme Leaf that's known for its crunchy texture.

Which lettuce is healthier, romaine or green leaf?

All lettuce offers health benefits, but the nutritional contents of romaine and green leaf are slightly different.

Romaine is higher in vitamin A, folic acid, and potassium, but green leaf lettuce is higher in vitamin C.

What kind of lettuce is best for sandwiches?

The best types of lettuce for sandwiches are the varieties with mild flavor and a sturdy, crunchy texture.

Romaine, iceberg, and Supreme Leaf lettuce all make fantastic additions to sandwiches.