The best butterhead lettuce substitute is green leaf lettuce or Little Gem. Both are tender and mild like butterhead. Use romaine hearts when you need more crunch, and iceberg for lettuce wraps. Good news if your recipe calls for Boston or Bibb lettuce: those are both types of butterhead, so you can use either one as is.
| Substitute | How close? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Boston or Bibb lettuce | Same lettuce family, swap 1:1 | Anything |
| Green leaf lettuce | Very close: soft and mild | Salads, sandwiches, burgers |
| Little Gem | Very close: sweet, tender, a bit crisper | Salads, wedges, lettuce cups |
| Red leaf lettuce | Close: soft, slightly earthier | Salads where color helps |
| Romaine hearts | Crunchier, still mild | Caesar-style and dressed salads |
| Iceberg | Crunchy, very mild, less tender | Lettuce wraps, tacos, burgers |
| Mâche, arugula or radicchio | Different flavor | Mixing in, not replacing |
What is butterhead lettuce?
Butterhead lettuce has loose, round heads of soft, smooth leaves with a buttery texture and mild, sweet flavor. Boston and Bibb are the two most common types, which is why recipes often use the names interchangeably. Its leaves are cup-shaped, so it’s popular for lettuce wraps and delicate salads.
1. Green leaf lettuce
The closest everyday swap. Green leaf is tender, mild and easy to find. Its leaves are frilly rather than cupped, so for lettuce wraps tear them a little larger. Use it 1:1 in salads and sandwiches.
2. Little Gem
A small, sweet lettuce that sits between butterhead and romaine. It’s tender with a little more crunch, and its small inner leaves make good lettuce cups.
3. Red leaf lettuce
Soft and mild like green leaf, with a slightly earthier taste and red-tipped leaves that brighten a salad. More ideas in our red leaf lettuce substitutes.
4. Romaine hearts
Crunchier and a bit bolder than butterhead, but still mild. Use the pale inner leaves, which are the most tender. Romaine holds up well under heavier dressings.
5. Iceberg lettuce
Iceberg doesn’t have butterhead’s soft texture, but its crunch and mild taste work well for lettuce wraps, tacos and burgers. Peel whole leaves from the outside of the head for wraps.
6. Mâche, arugula and radicchio (for mixing)
These change the flavor of a dish, so use them to stretch a small amount of butterhead rather than replace it. Mâche is tender and nutty, arugula is peppery, and radicchio is bitter and crunchy.
Which substitute should you use?
- Lettuce wraps or cups: Little Gem, or iceberg leaves.
- Delicate green salad: green leaf or red leaf.
- Sandwiches and burgers: green leaf or romaine.
- Salads with heavy dressing: romaine hearts.
FAQ
Is Boston lettuce the same as butterhead?
Yes. Boston is a type of butterhead lettuce, as is Bibb. You can use either whenever a recipe calls for butterhead.
Can I use romaine instead of butter lettuce?
Yes. Romaine is crunchier, so use the tender inner leaves for the closest result.
How do I keep butterhead lettuce fresh?
Store it unwashed in the crisper drawer, wrapped loosely in a paper towel inside a bag. Many stores sell it with the roots attached, which helps it last longer.
