Little Gem Lettuce
Little Gem is the darling of restaurant kitchens — a miniature romaine that offers the best qualities of both Romaine and Butterhead in a compact, elegant package. Its small, tight heads with crisp inner leaves and sweet, buttery outer leaves make it equally suited for grilling whole, Caesar salads, and elegant composed plates.
Small, compact head — 4–6 inches tall — with tight, overlapping leaves. The outer leaves are slightly darker green and more pliable, while the inner heart is pale yellow-green and particularly crisp and sweet. Usually sold as individual heads rather than loose leaves.
Texture: Crisp like Romaine in the heart, transitioning to more tender and pliable outer leaves. An unusually satisfying combination of crunch and tenderness in one head.
Flavor: Sweeter than Romaine with a buttery quality approaching Butterhead. One of the most flavorful lettuces available — a noticeably richer, more complex taste that justifies its premium price at markets.
Grilling
Halve lengthwise, brush with olive oil, grill cut-side down 2–3 min — creates an extraordinary smoky, tender-crisp salad base. The restaurant standard.
Caesar Salad
Superior to standard Romaine for Caesar — the sweeter flavor and tender-crisp texture elevate the classic.
Halved & Dressed
Serve halved with a spoon of creamy dressing, toppings, and herbs — elegant individual plating.
Lettuce Cups
The small cup shape is perfect for individual appetizer lettuce wraps.
• Often sold in 2-packs or 4-packs — the perfect serving size is one head per person
• Don't separate the leaves before serving — the whole head presentation is a big part of the appeal
• The compact size makes it ideal for grilling — no wilting or falling apart on the grate
Keeps 5–7 days in the refrigerator. The compact head protects the inner leaves well. Store whole until ready to use — once cut, use within 2 days.