30 lettuce recipes

When is lettuce in season?

British lettuce is in season from early May through to December, with plenty of varieties to choose from.

Why we love lettuce

Crisp and fresh lettuce adds instant crunch to any dish it features in. It's an integral part of a Caesar salad or addition to a fully stacked burger, and a popular choice for a low-carb alternative, such as in lettuce cups filled with meatballs or prawns. Whilst most commonly used raw, it even holds up to being cooked – char it in wedges for a whole new flavour or use to wrap fish to protect it whilst cooking.

Health benefits of lettuce

Lettuce is hydrating (some varieties are up to 95% water) and a good source of vitamin A.

Lettuce recipes

Chicken caesar salad

Little Gem lettuce is the star of this classic salad. You can add a softly boiled egg, a few crispy bacon rashers or some sundried tomatoes to this dish, if you like. Browse our best Caesar recipes for more twists on this classic.

Charred lettuce with ranch dressing

This salad of crunchy lettuce and crispy bacon is drizzled with a creamy homemade ranch dressing. It’s a great side dish for a summer feast.

Pork and lemongrass meatballs in lettuce cups

These pork and lemongrass meatballs are ready in just 30 minutes and under 300 calories but are packed full of flavour. The pickled cucumber helps to keep the flavours fresh and the lettuce cups keep it healthy. See more meatballs recipes.

Wedge salad with blue cheese dressing

Make the most of Little Gem lettuces in this gluten-free salad. It would be great served with a crispy skinned, soft-in-the-middle baked potato.

Coronation chicken

Use up left-over roast chicken to make this classic that's as great as a filling for sarnies and jacket potatoes as it is for spooning into crisp lettuce leaves or over salads.

Niçoise salad

A classic French-style salad, piled high with baby potatoes, red onion, eggs, Little Gem lettuce, olives, tuna and capers. Serve with a tangy honey-mustard dressing. Check out all our French recipes for more inspiration from coq au vin to French onion soup.

Sweet potato burgers

A vegetarian's dream, this mile-high burger is stuffed with paprika-spiced sweet potato patties, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo. Try more vegetarian burger recipes next.

Bombay mix lettuce salad

This colourful veggie dish is bound to be your new go-to when you’re craving a snacky, nibbly dinner. A crispy chickpea mixture, bombay mix and pomegranate seeds sit on a bed of lettuce, finished with a drizzle of tamarind sauce and sprinkled with coriander.

Jerk chicken skewers with mango salad

Coat chicken pieces with jerk seasoning and cook over a hot griddle pan for some midweek heat ready in 20 minutes. Serve with a refreshing mango, pepper and sugar snap pea salad.

The ultimate BLAT sandwich

Upgrade your classic BLT to our ultimate bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich with avocado. Make this easy sandwich recipe for a quick midweek lunch for two, then check out our best sandwich ideas for plenty more quick lunches.

Butter lettuce with burrata and caper dressing

Burrata is a creamier mozzarella with a lovely, luxurious texture. This Butter lettuce with burrata and caper dressing is a great, simple way to use it. Next, try our summery grilled peach salad with burrata recipe.

Coronation chickpea and apple salad

Make this classic lunch favourite vegetarian by replacing the chicken with chickpeas. Refreshing, crunchy and full of flavour, this easy salad recipe is ready in just 20 minutes. Coronation fans should also try our decadent coronation chicken sandwich recipe.

Bloody Mary prawn lettuce scoops

This simple and speedy no-cook starter is a great alternative to the classic prawn cocktail. Serve on a large platter in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in.

Hot-smoked salmon salad with chive buttermilk dressing

This fresh, crunchy salad, topped with soft hunks of salmon, is finished off perfectly with a tangy buttermilk and chive dressing.

The MBLT vegan sandwich

Check out this impressive vegan sandwich recipe. This MBLT makes an easy vegan alternative to the British BLT sandwich using shiitake mushroom 'bacon'. Plus, it's low in calories, too.

Lettuce-wrapped fish with citrus butter

This recipe for lettuce-wrapped fish with citrus butter is easy, ready in just 30 minutes, and under 300 calories, but looks great and is so packed with flavour that you won't notice you're being virtuous.

Teriyaki mackerel, pineapple and rice lettuce wraps

This recipe for teriyaki mackerel, pineapple and rice lettuce wraps is easy to make and full of fresh Asian flavours.

Looking for more ways to use mackerel? Try this mackerel puttanesca with orzo recipe next.

Crispy spud salad with sauerkraut, ham hock and peas

Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) is not only healthy and good for your gut but its distinct flavour lifts this simple salad with crisp potatoes and salty ham. Check out our four quick and easy potato salad recipes for more ideas.

Prawn aguachile salad

Check out our quick and easy prawn aguachile salad recipe. Aguachile means ‘chilli water’ in Spanish, referring to the fiery dressing. Traditionally, raw prawns would be used but we’ve used cooked here to cut down on time.

Chinese lettuce with ginger soy sauce

Romaine lettuce is blanched to intensify its sweetness and flavour, before bathing it in a delicate soy dressing with sesame oil and ginger.

Halloumi and Greek salad wraps

Salty halloumi makes a satisfying vegetarian wrap filling. Serve with a fresh and bright salad for a quick, nutritious midweek meal.

Mexican salad tortilla bowls

Check out these vibrant vegan Mexican salad bowls. This quick and easy recipe is fresh and has just the right amount of spice and zing - ready in 20 minutes.

Grilled caesar salad

Our quick and easy grilled caesar salad, is a great light evening meal. What's more, it's vegetarian and gluten-free, plus it comes in at under 500 calories.

Chicken lettuce wraps

Substitute floury wraps for lettuce leaves for a flavour-packed, low-calorie lunch.

Cauli Thai salad

This recipe takes the textures and flavours of a larb salad (usually made with minced chicken or pork) but gives it a veggie twist with cauliflower and some red chilli thrown in for an extra kick of flavour. You can also swap the fish sauce for soy to make it vegan, if you like.

Grilled Little Gem lettuce with tosazu dressing

This recipe comes from Chinese chef Larkin Cen, and is served at his Bristol restaurant Woky Ko: Kaiju. Try it as a fancy BBQ side or as part of an Asian-inspired feast.

Chicken and avocado salad

Make our chopped chicken, avocado and tomato salad with plenty of crunchy veg. It has under 400 calories and is ready in 15 minutes, so ideal for a healthy midweek meal.

Grilled chicken in lettuce parcels

A lovely Asian-inspired canapé that’s not too spicy, but is wonderfully aromatic with a lemongrass and coriander marinade for the chicken. Let everyone put together the lettuce parcels themselves.

Baked feta with chilli and chorizo jam and chopped salad

We've used Tracklements chilli and chorizo jam in this low-calorie meal idea – it works perfectly by giving a smoky kick to creamy, salty feta.

Roast chicken salad with yogurt dressing

Check out this simple roast chicken salad recipe with creamy yogurt onion dressing and crunchy croutons. Plus, it's low in calories, too.