Butter Lettuce– All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is butter lettuce?

If the name isn’t dreamy enough, the leaves of butter lettuce mimic a silky, velvety texture. Its leaves, when bundled together, look more like a bouquet of petals than lettuce leaves. Its leaves are tender to the point that it feels like it nearly melts in your mouth…like butter.

Butter lettuce is similar to Bibb lettuce and Boston lettuce and has both green and red varieties. You can often find butter lettuce sold in grocery stores, carefully packaged with the roots still attached to the head. This keeps the lettuce leaves soft and supple and helps keep their freshness, as butter lettuce is more sensitive than romaine or iceberg lettuce.

Butter lettuce is great for salads. Its large leaves also make butter lettuce a great option for food wraps, including substitutions for buns on hamburgers.

Where did butter lettuce originate from?

Lettuce, in general, is said to have originated from the Mediterranean and then found its way through Europe in the 16th century. Butter lettuce, however, is believed to have been created in the 18th century. From there, similar genetic variations such as the Bibb lettuce and Boston lettuce were derived from the humble butter lettuce and then sold around the world.

What is the nutritional value of butter lettuce?/What are the benefits of eating butter lettuce?

The nutritional value of butter lettuce is quite rich and has many great benefits. One cup of shredded or chopped butter lettuce equates to 70% of a person’s Daily Value (DV) of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps build the proteins that help with blood clotting and healthy bone development. One cup of butter lettuce also contains 36% DV of vitamin A. Vitamin A is largely known for healthy optical development, can aid in the strength of your immune system, and is believed to help those who struggle with acne. 10% DV of folate is in one cup of butter lettuce. Folate helps with red and white blood cell production. Folate also helps produce DNA and RNA, which is why women who are pregnant find folate beneficial. Minerals such as iron, manganese, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are all found in butter lettuce’s nutrients.

How is butter lettuce grown?

Butter lettuce often grows best in cooler temperatures with full sun. When the weather is moderate during the spring and fall, it is best for butter lettuce growth. However, if you live in an area where the summers are mild, you can also grow butter lettuce in the early or late summer. Keep in mind, while butter lettuce thrives in full sun, if the sun exposure is too hot, it can cause the leaves to wilt and damage the health of the butter lettuce.

Butter lettuce will typically take 60-70 days from planting to harvest. If you want to harvest the entire head of butter lettuce, cut approximately one inch from the ground. A helpful tip to keep in mind as you grow butter lettuce: if your soil contains a moderate amount of organic matter, it could improve the flavor profile of your butter lettuce.

When is butter lettuce in season?

Like other lettuce, butter lettuce is often in its peak season during the summer or fall. Find what other fresh vegetables and produce are currently in season.

How to store butter lettuce

Butter lettuce is often sold with the roots still attached to the head. Because butter lettuce is more fragile in comparison to other lettuce varieties, it is important to keep the roots attached as long as possible for optimal freshness.

If you are only using half the head at a time, cut the parts you need and keep the remainder intact to preserve the butter lettuce as long as possible. If you are storing butter lettuce in the fridge, some people suggest wrapping the leaves in a damp paper towel, placing them in an aerated plastic bag, and storing them in the produce drawer of your refrigerator.

Unless you are consuming butter lettuce immediately, it is best not to wash the lettuce before storage. Doing so can speed up the process of expiration, and too much handling can cause the lettuce leaves to bruise.

Freezing butter lettuce is not recommended. Because of its high water content, when butter lettuce is frozen and then thawed, the original texture will not be revived. Instead, post-thawing, the butter lettuce will have a mushy texture and lose its flavor.

How to tell if butter lettuce is bad

When shopping for butter lettuce, look for lettuce heads sold with the roots attached. The roots will keep the butter lettuce fresher for longer. Look at the leaves of butter lettuce before purchasing. The leaves should be a vibrant green and should have no signs of bruising, discoloration, or cuts.

Butter lettuce that has become spoiled will become slimy or mushy in texture. The leaves may brown and it may emit an off odor. If you notice these symptoms, dispose of the butter lettuce immediately and replace it with a new one. Shop butter lettuce.

What can I substitute for butter lettuce?

Substitutes for butter lettuce include Boston lettuce. The two are similarly related. However, the leaves of Boston lettuce can be bigger than that of butter lettuce. If butter lettuce is not available, you can always find romaine or iceberg lettuce at your local grocery store. Find other leafy vegetable substitutes.

If you are looking to have your groceries conveniently delivered, you can easily shop for butter lettuce and more via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products.

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