Wraps and sandwiches have become an increasingly popular lunch item over the last decade. Using fresh lettuce leaves as the wrap provides a healthy alternative to traditional white flour tortillas. When choosing which lettuce to grow for wraps, there are a few key factors to consider.
Lettuce Types for Wraps
The most common lettuce varieties used for wraps are:
- Romaine
- Butterhead
- Leaf lettuce
- Boston bibb
Each variety has its own unique characteristics that make it more or less ideal for wraps.
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce is arguably the most popular choice for lettuce wrap sandwiches. It has long, sturdy leaves that hold up well to fillings and sauces without falling apart. The leaves have a nice crunch and mild flavor.
There are several cultivars of romaine that work well for wraps, including:
- Green Towers – Extra tall, upright leaves.
- Outredgeous – Disease resistant with red tipped leaves.
- Freckles – Spotted green leaves.
- Valmaine – Heat tolerant.
Butterhead Lettuce
Butterhead lettuces, such as Boston and Bibb, have tender, smooth leaves. They don’t have quite as much structure as romaine, but still work nicely for wraps provided you don’t overload them. The smaller cup-shaped leaves are mild tasting.
Recommended butterhead varieties include:
- Tom Thumb – Miniature butterhead, around 3-5 inches.
- Summer Bibb – Heat tolerant leaves, slow to bolt.
- Buttercrunch – Green tinted leaves with a sweet flavor.
Leaf Lettuce
Leaf lettuces are loose-leafed and mildly flavored. The tender leaves range from smooth to lightly ruffled. They make nice wrap lettuce if you just need a single smaller wrap.
Good leaf lettuce options include:
- Red Sails – Deeply lobed, burgundy red leaves.
- Green Star – Sweet, crisp, and slow to bolt.
- Black Seeded Simpson – Classic cut-and-come-again type.
Boston Bibb Lettuce
Boston bibb lettuce, also called limestone bibb, has soft, bright green leaves. It’s a bit more delicate than standard butterhead lettuces. For wraps, smaller leaves can be left whole while larger ones may need gentle tearing.
Some of the top Boston bibb cultivars are:
- Duo – Heat and bolt resistant.
- Buttercrunch Bibb – Mild, sweet flavor.
- Rouge d’Hiver – Ruffled red leaves.
Lettuce Growing Tips for Wraps
When growing lettuce for wraps, follow these tips for the best results:
- Plant varieties with upright, cup-shaped growth habits to keep leaves clean and dry.
- Space plants 8-12 inches apart to promote air circulation and prevent disease issues like mildew.
- Harvest leaves when they are young and tender. Older outer leaves often become bitter.
- Cut rather than pull leaves to prevent uprooting the whole plant.
- Plant a new batch every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply.
- Grow lettuce in partial shade in summer to prevent bolting.
- Use row covers or cloches to protect from cold weather.
- Irrigate regularly, especially just before harvest for crispest leaves.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Lettuce prefers consistently cool temperatures around 60-70°F. Temperatures above 80°F will cause bitterness, poor germination, and bolting.
All types of lettuce grow best in rich, fertile soil with a neutral pH around 6.5-7.0. Lettuce has shallow roots so keep soils moist but not waterlogged.
Most lettuce varieties grow well in containers at least 10 inches deep. Romaine and butterhead cultivars need at least 1 foot depth. Use a quality potting mix and position containers where the plants get afternoon shade.
The Best Lettuce Varieties for Wraps
After considering all of the above factors, here are my top picks for the best lettuce varieties to grow specifically for wraps:
| Lettuce Type | Variety | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Romaine | Outredgeous | Sturdy red-tipped leaves, bolt resistant |
| Butterhead | Summer Bibb | Tender lime green leaves, slow bolting |
| Leaf | Green Star | Sweet flavor, smooth texture |
| Boston Bibb | Buttercrunch Bibb | Ruffled green leaves, mild taste |
Romaine varieties like Outredgeous have the best tolerance for fillings without tearing. For a more delicate wrap, Summer Bibb and Buttercrunch Bibb have very soft leaves with great flavor.
Green Star leaf lettuce combines a sweet taste with good heat resistance, making it an ideal single serve wrap option. It’s also a fast grower, ready to harvest in just over a month.
Using Lettuce Leaves as Wraps
Wrapping sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and other fillings in lettuce leaves makes for a fun, healthy lunch. Here are some tips for working with lettuce wraps:
- Carefully wash leaves and pat dry before using.
- Chill lettuce leaves until ready to use to keep them crisp.
- Remove any thick midribs or stems so leaves are pliable.
- Gently flatten larger leaves by pressing between damp paper towels.
- Use multiple smaller leaves for heavier fillings rather than overloading one large leaf.
- Spread sauces and condiments on the inside of leaves rather than directly on fillings.
- Wrap the base of leafy greens to prevent them from slipping out.
Almost any sandwich or taco filling works deliciously wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. Some great options include:
- Chicken, turkey, or beef with cheese and veggies
- Egg or tuna salad
- Grilled shrimp or fish
- Hummus and cucumbers
- Steak or grilled veggies with chimichurri sauce
Let creativity be your guide when it comes to fillings and flavor combinations! Lettuce wraps make it easy to turn any meal into a hand-held experience.
Conclusion
Romaine, butterhead, leaf, and Boston bibb lettuces are all excellent choices for lettuce wrap sandwiches, tacos, and other fillings. Look for varieties with crisp, upright leaves that are slow bolting. Grow lettuce in rich soil with consistent moisture. Harvest leaves while young and tender.
Outredgeous romaine, Summer Bibb, Green Star, and Buttercrunch Bibb are some of the best lettuce varieties for wraps. Their sturdy, pliable leaves hold fillings without breaking. Let creativity guide you when choosing fun, healthy fillings for your lettuce wraps.
Growing your own lettuce ensures you have the freshest, crispest leaves available for making delicious wraps any day of the week!