Crispy, tender, crunchy, earthy, fresh, slightly sweet, peppery. These are just some of the words that describe lechuga, known as lettuce in English. When it comes to lettuce and leafy greens, there are many choices. They are packed with flavour, texture, and nutrients for healthy eating and allow us to make unique and varied salads for our taste buds to enjoy.
The word lechuga is taken from the Latin word lactūca, whose root comes from lac meaning milk. The lechuga received its name due to the milky liquid sap that the plant exudes from its stems when cut.
Latin American Pronunciation
European Pronunciation
Lechuga is a feminine noun that means lettuce in English. It takes the following definite and indefinite articles:
- la lechuga = the lettuce
- una lechuga = a lettuce
- las lechugas = the lettuces (expressed as ‘lettuces’ for varied kinds)
- unas lechugas = some lettuces
iLa ensalada de lechuga está deliciosa!
The lettuce salad is delicious!
Below are some different types of lettuce to use in salads. Some of these aren’t always referred to by saying lechuga after them, but they might be occasionally described with the word.
- lechuga romana/costina = romaine lettuce
- lollo rosso/lechuga de hoja roja = lollo rossa lettuce/batavia
- lechuga escarola = endivia
- lechuga repollada = sativa
- lechuga hoja de roble roja = red oak lettuce
- lechuga francesa = trocadero/French lettuce
- cogoyo de lechuga romana = romaine lettuce head
- lechuga tatsoi = tatsoi (Asian cabbage)
- lechuga acelga = red chard
- lechuga crespa = curly lettuce
La ensalada griega lleva lechuga romana y queso feta.
The Greek salad has romaine lettuce and feta cheese.
There are various ways lechuga is used in the kitchen across Latin America. Although it’s common to see it as a side salad as an ensalada cesar (Ceasar salad), lechuga is more commonly used integrated within the meal itself chopped up into small pieces.
It’s seen on top of tacos and sopes, a Mexican dish made of fried dough with toppings such as meat and cheese. It’s usually put inside sándwiches, hamburguesas, and wraps, and it will be sprinkled into various kinds of soups such as pozole, sopas de verduras (vegetable soups), sopa de tortilla (tortilla soup), or other soups.
Fun Fact: The famous ensalada cesar (Ceasar salad) is said to have been invented in a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico by Italian chef Ceasar Cardini in 1924. The main lechuga used is lechuga romana (romaine lettuce) and some things the ensalada includes are, queso parmesano (parmessan cheese), aceite de oliva, aderezo de cesar (Ceasar dressing), jugo de limón (lime juice), and croutons.
Me encanta ponerle lechuga a mi sopa de tortilla.
I love putting lettuce in my tortilla soup.
A mis hijos no les gusta comer lechuga.
My kids don’t like eating lettuce.
Idiomatic expressions featuring ‘lechuga’
Estar fresco como una lechuga
Literal translation: to be as fresh as lettuce
English meaning: as fresh as a daisy / to be full of energy or feel well rested and calm
Ser más fresco que una lechuga
Literal translation: to be fresher than a lettuce
English meaning: to have a lot of nerve / be shameless
