If there is one thing the internet is teaching you is this – you are doing a lot of things wrong. From braiding your hair in the opposite direction to all the ways you are doing sports incorrectly, no topic does not lack critical thinking.
Now, regarding food, from the way we eat them to the way we prepare it, food brings lots of controversies.
Since burgers are some of the most popular dishes worldwide, people are debating their ingredients, especially the layers’ order. From the bun’s fluffiness to the sauces and the type of meat, every ingredient plays an essential role in the burger’s final taste.
What about lettuce? What type of lettuce is the best one for burgers? Should you put this vegetable on top or the bottom of the burger? Let’s answer these questions.
Stick The Lettuce On The Bottom Of The Burger
Once for all, let’s make some light in terms of layering your favorite burger. Well, we recommend you always stick the lettuce on the bottom bun.
Lettuce acts like a protective layer and keeps the bun away from the possible juices from the meat.
Although I have always recommended people to keep their burgers all juicy (1), well, sometimes, too many sauces can make the final sandwich look too messy.
The result will be a hard-to-eat lunch or dinner. However, one simple trick stands in the correct lettuce layering.
For instance, let’s take one of the basic examples. You prepared the Angus beef properly, taking care to get a medium-rare texture, and seasoned everything by-the-book.
Unfortunately, after you have worked a couple of hours to cook the best dish, it happens that the torrent of juice spread all over the ingredients and finally, in the bottom of the bun.
While the top bun (which was nicely coated with mayonnaise or ketchup) remains all soft and a bit squishy, the bottom will completely dissolve by the time you finish eating.
That doesn’t sound pleasant, right? But how can you enjoy lettuce without provoking damage?
The Correct Way Of Using Lettuce in Your Burger
To avoid ruining your burger’s texture, the best idea is to put a layer of lettuce right on top of the bottom bun.
This way, you will extend the freshness of the brand, as well as its lifespan. Furthermore, you will finally have that crunchy texture (2) in your sandwiches and no more soaked buns in juices.
Here is a nice recipe for crispy burgers.
Not that there is an unwritten rule, but the usual order of the layers in the best burgers is this:
- Top Bun
- Mild yellow mustard
- Caramelized onion (or fresh one, it goes just how you like it)
- Bacon
- Cheese (on top of the patty, so it will melt evenly)
- Patty
- Mayo
- Lettuce
- Ketchup
- Bottom Bun
This video will teach you the main hacks in layering a burger like a pro.
Best Types Of Lettuce For Burgers
You already know that the ingredients in your burger can either make it tasty or ruin everything. And I am sure that when cooking, you want to surprise yourself with your skills and also your families and friends with the best dish.
A great fixing in burgers is lettuce. Now that you know that these vegetables have an important role in keeping the juices away from the bun, and add crunchiness, let’s discuss a bit about the best types of lettuce for sandwiches.
I know some of you might wrinkle your noses and don’t want to lose your time finding the best vegetables. But really, there are some top lettuces, perfect for adding crunchiness and flavor.
I will talk more about the main type of lettuce, so check each of them and choose your favorite.
1. Iceberg Lettuce
One of the most popular yet cheap lettuce varieties is the iceberg one. You see Iceberg lettuce in burgers, salads, or different sandwiches, as it adds a subtle flavor, a mild taste, but a lot of crunchy texture.
Furthermore, iceberg lettuce holds up very well in the fridge, so you can always count on its freshness. Of course, don’t expect it to last forever. Nothing lasts forever.
Anyhow, iceberg lettuce has been thought of as not having any nutritional value. Actually, if you are on a diet, this type of lettuce has few calories compared with other vegetables. At the same time, iceberg lettuce is full of antioxidants. This is such a bonus to your burger.
Also, keep in mind that iceberg lettuce is full of water. So pay attention to pat it nicely, to dry it before placing it in a burger.
2. Romaine
Romaine lettuce is also widely spread and appreciated among most people. I personally prefer it in salads (3) because it has a great nutritional value and rich flavor. However, let’s go back to burgers, so why is romaine nice to have in this dish?
Besides the healthy choice, which would not hurt in a burger case, romaine lettuce is a great source of vitamin C, fiber, and A. More so, it also contains vitamin K.
But can romaine lettuce hold the fixings of a burger? Well, not quite.
This vegetable has little tolerance for heat, so you might end in a soft, soggy piece of lettuce.
But if you really enjoy this lettuce, use the hearts instead. This middle part of this lettuce is more crunchy, has a sweet flavor, and it is also very tender. Here is how you should cut Romaine lettuce properly.
3. Green Leaf
Green leaf lettuce is so nice because of the buttery flavor. Its curly leaves make it unique and also great for burgers.
It is crispy, the leaves have a mild flavor, but they are juicy enough to get the best flavor in your burger.
Now, you should know that green leaf lettuce also contains a lot of water, so make sure to pat the leaves before fixing them in your burger. Otherwise, the water will be running down into the bun.
Finally, like many other vegetables, the green leaf is a rich and good source of antioxidants and Vitamin C.
Actually, the green leaf has more nutrients and antioxidants than romaine and iceberg lettuce.
4. Butterhead Lettuce
Firstly, you should know that there are two butterhead lettuce types: there is the Bibb one and the Boston type. Both these varieties have a buttery texture, which adds so much flavor to salads and burgers as well. The flavor is sweet, while the flavor is light.
It has a “cup” shape to keep all the juice from the meat and sauce in burgers. Furthermore, its leaves are tender and have that shape of a rose, which gives a bump-up appearance to the burger.
So, it’s no wonder why butterhead lettuce is one of the best types of lettuce for burgers.
5. Radicchio
Due to its reddish color, radicchio lettuce will give a different appearance and taste to your burger. Opposite to the other lettuce types, this one has a bitter, spicy flavor that will provide a different taste to your burger.
The leaves are crunchy, firm, but they have quite a short shelf life, so make sure you are using them as soon as you can.
An interesting part about radicchio lettuce is that it goes wonderfully once grilled. Try this heat processing and enjoy the unique flavor of roasted lettuce. The nutritional factors are rich, so you have vitamin C, protein, and good carbs.
6. Summer Crisp Lettuce
How many times have you used this type of lettuce in your salads and burgers?
This vegetable is heat tolerant, is sweet, and has no bitter taste. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about its leaves going soft when getting in contact with other ingredients.
This lettuce is great for burgers and will nicely protect the bottom bun from the other fixings. To make things even better, it is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Final Thoughts
There are so many options when it comes to choosing the best lettuce for your burgers.
However, the most important thing you should keep in mind is this. You should place the lettuce on the bottom of the burger to form a protective layer between the bun and the other burger fixings.
When it comes to the best lettuce, try to use Summer Crisp lettuce, Iceberg Lettuce or Butterhead. They are my favorites.