Have you ever had Lettuce Stir Fry? It is a very tasty and crunchy vegetable when stir fried just right, and with the addition of smashed garlic and crunchy onions? What a delicious veggie side dish - easy to make too!
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Types of Lettuce
First things first, there are many types of lettuce, and in this recipe, I used butter lettuce - but you can also make this with Romaine Lettuce. Here are 4 popular lettuce types:
Iceberg Lettuce (aka Crisphead)
Iceberg lettuce is actually the most popular/commonly used lettuce in the US. It has a very mild taste, but is super crunchy, and so it is often times used in dishes that have more strong flavors such as in a salad with lots of thick dressing, on a burger, or chopped up and sprinkled on tacos and enchiladas and such.
While it's the most popular and commonly used, it's actually not my favorite lettuce, as it doesn't have a lot of flavor and nutritional content. I personally feel like it's just crunchy water - which has a time a place, but it's not my favorite for stir frying in this recipe.
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce is also a crunchy lettuce, but with long upright heads with firm ribs down their centers. This lettuce is most often times used in salads and sandwiches, but it can also be used as a wrap or grilled.
You can stir fry this lettuce also! I switch between stir frying romaine lettuce and butter lettuce for this recipe.
Butter Lettuce (aka Butterhead lettuce)
Butter lettuce actually has several names! It is also known as Boston lettuce, Bibb Lettuce, and Round Lettuce. It's easy to see why it would called Round lettuce as it is shaped like a ball. Technically Boston and Bibb are 2 varieties of Butter Lettuce, but they're very similar.
This type of lettuce has tender leaves that has a bit more loose leaves than romaine lettuce, and it has a slightly sweeter flavor and more tender texture.
Their round shape makes them perfect for wraps - you can use them like they were tortillas. They're also great in sandwiches, and I actually like stir frying them too (like in this recipe!)
Looseleaf Lettuce (Aka Leaf lettuce)
Looseleaf lettuce has loosely bunched leaves and is mild and sweet. This lettuce is often times used for salads, and is actually a favorite among gardeners as it is easy to grow and the leaves can be easily picked off for your favorite salad any time!
You could stir fry this lettuce, but it will come out differently than your crunchier lettuce like butter lettuce and romaine lettuce.
These are just four of the more commonly used lettuce, there's actually plenty more types of lettuce!
How to Stir Fry Lettuce with Onions (Step by Step)
First gather your ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
- ½ white onion, sliced
- ½ lb of lettuce
- Salt, as desired.
Wash and dry lettuce. Tear or cut larger pieces to smaller pieces.
In a wok or cooking pan, heat up cooking oil on high heat. Add garlic and white onion and stir fry for about a minute.
Add in the butter head lettuce and stir fry for about 2 minutes or until the lettuce is just tender and still bright green.
Remove from heat and serve!
Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Stir-fried lettuce is best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- Reheating: Reheat quickly in a hot wok or pan for 30-60 seconds. Avoid microwaving too long, as it will turn soggy.
- Tip: If you know you'll have leftovers, undercook the lettuce slightly so it reheats with better texture.
FAQ
Can I use other types of lettuce?
Yes! Romaine and butter lettuce work best, but you can experiment with iceberg or looseleaf for different textures.
Will the lettuce get soggy?
If you overcook it, yes. The trick is to cook it quickly over high heat so it stays bright green and slightly crisp and immediately remove from heat!
Can I add other seasonings?
Definitely. A splash of soy sauce, oyster sauce, or sesame oil can elevate the flavor. Chili flakes or fresh chilies also add a nice kick.
Lettuce Stir Fry with Onions Recipe
Lettuce Stir Fry with Onions – A quick and easy Chinese-inspired veggie side dish made with butter or romaine lettuce, garlic, and onions. Tender, crunchy, and delicious in under 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
- ½ white onion, sliced
- ½ lb of lettuce,
- Salt, as desired.
Instructions
- Wash and dry lettuce. Tear or cut larger pieces to smaller pieces.
- In a wok or cooking pan, heat up cooking oil on high heat. Add garlic and white onion and stir fry for about a minute.
- Add in the butter head lettuce and stir fry for about 2 minutes or until the lettuce is just tender and still bright green.
- Remove from heat and serve!
Notes
- Butter lettuce gives a more tender bite, while romaine adds extra crunch.
- Try adding a splash of soy sauce, oyster sauce, or sesame oil for more flavor.
- This dish is meant to be cooked fast—don’t let the lettuce sit in the pan too long or it will wilt too much.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 312mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information.
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If you love simple veggie stir fries like this - check out my Broccoli and Cauliflower Stir Fry and my Chinese Green Beans Stir Fry!
Duncan Edwards says
What a delightful experience, well done and thank you 🙂