Lettuce Stir Fry with Onions is a simple Chinese-style vegetable dish that's quick, crunchy, and surprisingly delicious. When cooked properly, lettuce stays tender yet crisp, soaking up the flavor of smashed garlic and sweet onions.
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This easy stir fry comes together in just minutes and makes a perfect light side dish to balance richer mains. If you've never tried stir-fried lettuce before, this recipe might just surprise you.
Types of Lettuce
There are many varieties of lettuce, but not all work equally well for stir frying. For this recipe, butter lettuce and romaine lettuce work best.
Iceberg Lettuce (Crisphead)
Iceberg lettuce is very crunchy with a mild flavor. While it's popular in salads and burgers, it doesn't have much flavor and releases a lot of water, so it's not ideal for stir frying.
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine has long, sturdy leaves with a crunchy rib. It holds up well to high heat and stays crisp, making it a great option for stir fry.
Butter Lettuce (Butterhead)
Butter lettuce (also known as Boston or Bibb lettuce) has tender, slightly sweet leaves and a softer texture. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully, which is why it's my favorite for this dish.
Looseleaf Lettuce
Looseleaf lettuce is mild and delicate. While it can be stir fried, it wilts very quickly and won't stay as crisp as romaine or butter lettuce.
How to Stir Fry Lettuce with Onions (Step by Step)
First gather your ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- Β½ white onion, sliced
- Β½ lb lettuce, washed and dried
- Salt, to taste
- Soy sauce, optional (to taste)
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?
Yes! This dish is intentionally simple and lightly seasoned. A splash of soy sauce (optional), oyster sauce, or sesame oil can add more depth of flavor if you'd like. Chili flakes or fresh chilies also work well for some heat.
Lettuce Stir Fry with Onions Recipe
Lettuce Stir Fry with Onions β 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 garlic, crushed
- Β½ white onion, sliced
- Β½ lb lettuce, washed and dried
- Salt, to taste
- Soy sauce, optional (to taste)
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the lettuce. Tear or cut large leaves into bite-size pieces.
- Heat cooking oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.
- Add smashed garlic and sliced onion. Stir fry for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add lettuce and stir fry for 1β2 minutes, just until tender but still bright green.
- Season lightly with salt. If desired, add a small splash of soy sauce (optional).
- Remove from heat immediately 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 - donβt 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: 95Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 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 π