Crisp, refreshing iceberg lettuce brings that satisfying crunch to countless dishes, making it one of America's most beloved salad greens and a staple ingredient in kitchens worldwide.
This pale green leafy vegetable features tightly packed, rounded heads with crisp outer leaves and an even more tender, almost white heart. Iceberg lettuce offers a mild, clean flavor with subtle sweetness and an exceptionally crisp texture that holds up well in both raw and cooked applications. Originally cultivated in the Mediterranean region, this versatile green has become deeply embedded in American cuisine, particularly in classic dishes like wedge salads, BLT sandwiches, and iceberg lettuce wraps. The sturdy leaves make excellent cups for Asian-inspired lettuce wraps filled with seasoned ground meat, while shredded iceberg adds cooling contrast to spicy Mexican tacos and hearty burgers.
When preparing iceberg lettuce, remove any wilted outer leaves and rinse the head under cold water before cutting. The crisp texture makes it perfect for chopping into bite-sized pieces for garden salads, julienning for slaws, or separating into individual leaves for wraps and sandwiches. Iceberg pairs beautifully with creamy dressings like ranch or blue cheese, and its neutral flavor complements stronger ingredients like bacon, tomatoes, and sharp cheeses. Store whole heads in the refrigerator crisper drawer where they'll maintain their signature crunch for up to two weeks, making iceberg lettuce an economical choice for meal planning and batch cooking.