What is the Best Lettuce for Wraps?
With over 2500 different lettuce types, as encompassed in the collection managed by Wageningen University & Research, there is a lot of lettuce to choose from! Gardeners may have their favorites that grow best in their particular area, while salad fans may choose their varieties based on the specific type of salad. Some lettuce can stand up to grilling, while other lettuces are much more delicate. In looking for the best lettuce for wraps, multiple factors impact lettuce selection. Below, learn more about choosing the best lettuce for wraps, specifically sandwich wraps, the benefits of lettuce use and ideas for up-leveling your lettuce-wrapped meals when you order off of the Freddy’s menu or create your own dishes.
How to Determine the Best Lettuces for Wraps: Sandwich Edition
Finding the best lettuce for wraps, not just salads and the inside of a sandwich itself, has been a particular point of inquiry for chefs and home cooks alike. To choose the best lettuce for wraps on your upcoming menu, be sure to take the following 4 considerations into account:
Size: Smaller leaf size might be ideal for appetizer bites or on the sandwich itself. However, bigger leaves are more comparable with the bread counterparts traditionally associated with dishes like burgers or chicken sandwiches.
Structure: Lettuce that is cup-like or rollable lends itself to containing assorted ingredients. In choosing lettuce, flexibility and durability are essential. Iceberg, for example, is strong enough to support a hearty sandwich, like the Freddy’s Bacon & Cheese Double Steakburger, and toppings, especially if a double lettuce layer is used. The flexibility of green leaf lettuce or the central support but pliable outer portions of romaine may also work for both bun-style uses or as a tortilla substitute.
Texture: Both sturdier and more delicate lettuces can be the vehicles for a variety of fillings. In some cases, the best lettuce for wraps is a crispy and crunchy foil to softer contents, while a soft and strong lettuce may let the textural nuances of a fried fish or chicken component shine. Using more than one layer of lettuce can also help reinforce the wrap and showcase more than one lettuce texture, if using multiple types.
Intended filling: The intended sandwich filling is probably the most important consideration in choosing the best lettuce for wraps. The filling factors into moisture assessment, sandwich build and the ideal size, structure and texture of lettuce to suit the overall dish. In choosing lettuce, think about whether any elements of the filling, like a crispy edge, might tear your potential lettuce wrap. Also account for any juices, sauces or toppings that need to be contained!
Benefits of Using the Best Lettuce for Wraps
From carbohydrates and calories to gluten intolerances and other dietary considerations, the best lettuce for wraps can also be the best choice for a person’s individual health needs or lifestyle preferences. At Freddy’s and other restaurants, opting for lettuce-wrapped menu items is a switch that often reduces overall calorie and carbohydrate consumption. Additionally, lettuce can provide nutrients specifically Vitamin A and contribute to overall hydration, as shared by WebMD. Exchange lettuce for bread products as a way to add more vegetables into one’s diet, or choose it as a sandwich solution that can be gentler for some stomachs.
Interested to see how using a lettuce wrap for your favorite sandwich impacts the nutritional value of the dish overall? Below, check out a comparison of the nutritional information for a popular Freddy’s menu item, the Single Steakburger. In addition to being a lower cholesterol option, the choice of a lettuce wrap significantly reduces calories and fat (by over 30%), while still maintaining more than 20g of protein in each!
How to Make the Best Lettuce for Wraps Work for Your Sandwich!
Cheese, onions, pickles, and mustard, as well as crispy bacon, chili, jalapeños, and Freddy’s Famous Fry Sauce®, are just a few of the toppings that might be found on a sandwich. In addition to lettuce selection, here are 3 tips to help you make the best lettuce for wraps work for your sandwich!
Dry off your lettuce well. Sometimes, meals are made in great haste, but this important step avoids the potential for soggy sandwiches and sandwich structure breakage.
Support your wrap. Strengthen your wrap by using multiple lettuce leaves or by wrapping it in parchment or foil.
Layer wisely. Strategies may vary depending on the specific filling. For example, a tuna wrap may be as simple as putting the tuna mixture into the lettuce. However, more complex sandwiches may benefit from putting condiments or sauces on first and then layering by weight, so meat like a burger or chicken patty would go next, followed by tomato, bacon and onion slices.
Excited to use the best lettuce for wraps and enjoy the benefits that accompany that choice? Try this swap for your next lunch preparation or when you place an order for dine-in or delivery at a Freddy’s near you. In addition to choosing a lettuce wrap for your sandwich, you can also customize many other features of Freddy’s menu items, whether it is for a sandwich or a frozen custard treat! Don’t forget to earn points on your upcoming order by signing up for Freddy’s rewards today!