When we think of Iceberg lettuce, the first thing that comes to our mind is salad. That is the only way I have been using Iceberg lettuce all along. When I decided to choose Iceberg lettuce for a challenge this time, I wanted to make something different than the salad. That is when I came across the stir-fried lettuce that is pretty popular in Chinese cuisine.
Stir-Fried Iceberg Lettuce Recipe is a quick one that is ready in under 10 minutes from start to finish. Now that is something I love on weeknight for a side. I took this opportunity to also make a video for the recipe. This is my first recipe that is coming out with a video.
I am a part of the group called the ‘A-Z Recipe challenge’, wherein a group of bloggers come together and we choose key ingredients alphabetically to cook and post a dish every alternate month. This event was initiated by Jolly Makkar and Vidya Narayan.
This month the challenge is to choose an ingredient staring with the letter 'I' and making a dish out of it. 'I' is a tricky alphabet and we had to choose an ingredient starting with the specific alphabet. Iceberg lettuce is the ingredient that I chose to make for the theme this month.
The Stir-Fried Iceberg Lettuce Recipe uses basic ingredients used in any Chinese recipe. I have used Vegetarian Oyster sauce which makes the sauce very flavorful. This sauce is made with mushroom and gives the recipe a deep flavor.
One thing that we need to keep in mind when making this recipe is that it comes together very quickly. The whole recipe is ready in under 5 minutes. Use a pan that can maintain high heat when cooking. A wok or a cast iron will work great.
Preparation time - 10 minutes
Cooking time - 5 minutes
Difficulty level - Easy
Ingredients to make Stir-Fried Iceberg Lettuce - Serves 2
- Iceberg lettuce - ½ head
- Cooking oil - 2 tsp
- Ginger - 1 tsp (minced)
- Garlic - 1 tsp (minced)
- Soy Sauce - 2 tsp
- Apple cider vinegar - 1 tsp
- Vegetarian Oyster Sauce - ½ tsp
- Toasted sesame oil - ½ tsp
- Red chili flakes - ½ tsp
- Black pepper powder - ¼ tsp
- Sugar - ½ tsp
Procedure to make Stir-Fried Iceberg Lettuce
To make the sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, Vegetarian oyster sauce, Red chili flakes, pepper powder and sugar.
- Use a small whisk and mix the ingredients to combine.
To make the Stir Fry -
- Clean the iceberg lettuce by removing the outer leaves that appear wilted or discolored.
- Knock the lettuce down on the counter couple of times. This helps to loosen the core and it is easy to just pull the center core and remove it.
- Tear the lettuce into large pieces with your hand. I used half a head to serve 2 people.
- Wash the lettuce and make sure you dry it well before using it in the stir-fry recipe.
- In a wok or a cast iron, heat the oil.
- Add the minced ginger and and let it fry for 10 seconds.
- Next add the garlic and let it fry for 10 more seconds.
- Now add the iceberg lettuce and mix well. Cook it in high heat for about 30 seconds stirring constantly.
- Now add the prepared sauce and mix to combine. Cook for about 15 to 30 seconds or until the lettuce is slightly wilted but still has a bit of crunch to it. Don't make it too soft and make sure that the iceberg lettuce still has some crunch to it.
- Serve warm.
Ingredients
- ½ head Iceberg lettuce
- 2 tsp Cooking oil
- 1 tsp Ginger minced
- 1 tsp Garlic minced
- 2 tsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp Vegetarian Oyster Sauce
- ½ tsp Toasted sesame oil
- ½ tsp Red chili flakes
- ¼ tsp Black pepper powder
- ½ tsp Sugar
Instructions
To make the sauce -
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, Vegetarian oyster sauce, Red chili flakes, pepper powder and sugar.
- Use a small whisk and mix the ingredients to combine.
To make the Stir Fry -
- Clean the iceberg lettuce by removing the outer leaves that appear wilted or discolored.
- Knock the lettuce down on the counter couple of times. This helps to loosen the core and it is easy to just pull the center core and remove it.
- Tear the lettuce into large pieces with your hand. I used half a head to serve 2 people.
- Wash the lettuce and make sure you dry it well before using it in the stir-fry recipe.
- In a wok or a cast iron, heat the oil.
- Add the minced ginger and and let it fry for 10 seconds.
- Next add the garlic and let it fry for 10 more seconds.
- Now add the iceberg lettuce and mix well. Cook it in high heat for about 30 seconds stirring constantly.
- Now add the prepared sauce and mix to combine. Cook for about 15 to 30 seconds or until the lettuce is slightly wilted but still has a bit of crunch to it. Don't make it too soft and make sure that the iceberg lettuce still has some crunch to it.
- Serve warm.
Allison Rogers says
yum! I had lots of extra lettuce and bored with all other uses. Thank you...I will go back to this many times!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Oh Wonderful! Thanks Allison for trying the recipe. It is indeed quite a different recipe and it works when we have abundance of lettuce.
Seema says
Sandhya,this recipe is So different from mine yet I can feel the flavours right up here. I will surely try your version as well coz i really love the dish a lot
Sujata Roy says
Loved this stir fry. Looks so healthy nutritious and yummy. Thanks for the easy and simple recipe
ARCHANA says
I knew only of salads with iceberg lettuce must say that this stir fry will taste great too with the little that is always leftover after the salad. Will love to try making it.
Swati says
Loved this easy stir fry with lettuce.. always used in salads and sandwich, making stir fry is a wonderful idea!!
sasmita sahoo says
Wow!!! Love this stir fried iceberg lettuce Sandhya 🙂 Just 5 minutes attract me a lot here !!! love to have sometime surely .....
Aruna says
I find iceberg lettuce a bit hard to swallow but with your recipe, it will become delicious. I love the rich flavour profile you have created.
Anshu Agrawal says
Iceberg lettuce is one of my favorite green and if i will get it as a delicious stir fry then I think it is icing on a cake. Amazing recipe which has made humble lettuce a rock star. Awesome share👍
Vidya Narayan says
5 minute cook time sounds amazing! Also love the array of sauces used for jazzing up the stir fry. An ideal Quick lunch or weekend meal.
Danielle says
I've been using iceberg lettuce as is for so long that I have never thought of actually cooking it. This is as easy as it is fun, so I should get a big batch of lettuce this weekend and cook it like a pro - thank you!
Danielle Wolter says
What a fun recipe! I've never thought of making something like stir fried lettuce, this is a great idea and sounds incredible! Great flavors.
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
This is so yummy, and something I never would have thought to make! I love the sauce that goes over the lettuce- it has great flavor and the perfect amount of salt for me!
Mayuri Patel says
The only way I've enjoyed iceberg lettuce is in salads. I would have never thought of making a stir fry with the tender leaves. Must say the dish looks so tempting. I guess you would have to enjoy stir fried lettuce as soon as you cook it.
Poonam Bachhav says
I have yet to try anything beyond a salad using iceberg lettuce . Your stir-fry with that flavorful sauce sounds interesting!
Vanitha Bhat says
Looks amazing with all those Indo-Chinese flavors; a perfect side dish with fried rice!
Kalyani says
The Asian flavours are so spot on here, Sandhya ! would love to have this as a warm side to a Chinese meal... perhaps with hakka noodles or with dimsums. yumm
Renu says
Loving this quick and easy stir fry. I bring Iceberg lettuce often and yes the only thing that comes in mind is salad with it. Would love to enjoy it in such a flavourful and delicious way.
Superduper kitchen says
I have not tried my hands on Iceberg lettuce. Yours sounds yum...
The Girl Next Door says
Wow, this looks lovely! Very innovative - I don't think I've seen lettuce being used in a stir-fry before! 🙂
I'm intrigued by the use of vegetarian oyster sauce. Is it commonly available in India?
Shobha Keshwani says
Simple one can be enjoyed like a warm salad too. I make Chinese cabbage the same way.