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Lettuce Heads

Crisper and more forgiving than salad mix — a whole head stores better and goes further.

Store in

Fridge crisper drawer, loosely wrapped

Keeps for

Up to 1 week once separated, use within 2–3 days

Best eaten

Raw or lightly grilled for romaine

Prep tip

Keep head whole leaves last longer undetached

Cold Springs Organics grows full-head lettuce varieties — butterhead, romaine, and loose-leaf heads depending on the season. Crisp, mild, and fresh, head lettuce stores significantly better than pre-cut salad mix and holds up to heartier dressings. The variety in your box will depend on what’s thriving that week.

VIDEO GUIDE Lettuce — Prep, Nutrition, and Storage
Lettuce Heads Field Guide Cold Springs Organics · PDF
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Keep the head whole and refrigerate in the crisper drawer, loosely wrapped in a dry paper towel inside a bag. The whole head retains moisture far better than separated leaves.

A whole head keeps for up to a week. Once leaves are separated, they should be used within 2–3 days. If leaves look slightly wilted, soak them in cold water for 10–15 minutes — they usually crisp right back up.

Separate only as many leaves as you need. Discard any damaged or browned outer leaves. Rinse in cold water and spin or pat dry.

  • Butterhead — tear gently; the delicate leaves bruise easily.
  • Romaine — halve or quarter lengthwise for salads; halve whole for grilling.
  • Loose-leaf — tear into pieces; very tender and best with lighter dressings.
  • Caesar salad — romaine leaves or halved hearts with creamy dressing, croutons, and parmesan. One of romaine’s best uses.
  • Grilled romaine — halve heads lengthwise, brush cut sides with oil, and grill over high heat for 2–3 minutes cut-side down until charred and lightly wilted. Serve with lemon and shaved parmesan.
  • Lettuce wraps — use large, cupped leaves (butterhead is ideal) as a vessel for stir-fried filling, seasoned ground meat, or grain salads.

Wedge salad — quarter a cold romaine or butterhead head. Drizzle generously with blue cheese or buttermilk ranch dressing. Top with halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately while the lettuce is very cold.