How to shred lettuce for Tacos & Keep it Fresh and Crunchy!
Here, you will learn how to shred lettuce for tacos from a native Mexican. The traditional type of lettuce in Mexico for tacos, salads, and tostadas is iceberg lettuce, known as “lechuga de bola” in Mexico.
So, grab a head of iceberg lettuce because you’ll learn the best way to cut lettuce for tacos at home. A video tutorial at the end of this post makes it even easier to have the perfect thin slices of lettuce for your next Taco Tuesday.
How to cut iceberg lettuce for tacos?
- Prepare the lettuce: Start by cutting the lettuce head half lengthwise. Keep the base intact; it will help hold the lettuce together while cutting.
2. Cut the Lettuce: Place the halved lettuce on your cutting board. Hold the stem firmly, and start slicing the lettuce from the bottom. The secret is not to cut from the top down. Instead, you will be cutting just around one inch from the end down, slicing as finely as possible.
3. Rotate and Repeat: After you’ve sliced one side, turn the lettuce around and repeat the process on the other side, continuing to chop finely until the entire head is shredded.
This method of chopping lettuce is also excellent for your favorite salad recipes.
How to Keep Lettuce Crispy and Fresh for Days
To ensure lettuce stays crispy and fresh for days, it’s essential to disinfect it properly after cutting. I use a popular disinfectant named Microdyn, but several brands on Amazon serve the same purpose.
I never skip this step after watching a Netflix documentary about the risks of not disinfecting vegetables. It’s common practice in Mexico to disinfect lettuce right after cutting.
Here’s my process:
- Disinfect: Add a few drops of the disinfectant to a water bowl and let the lettuce soak for 8 minutes. This helps eliminate any harmful bacteria or pesticides. I use Microdyn, which is very popular in my country, Mexico, but there are different options.
2. Rinse and Spin: Rinse the lettuce thoroughly with clean water after soaking. Then, use a lettuce spinner to remove as much water as possible. Getting rid of excess water is key to keeping the lettuce fresh and crunchy for longer.
3. Store Properly: Once you’ve removed as much water as possible, place paper towels at the bottom of an airtight container or a plastic bag with a paper towel. This helps absorb any remaining moisture. Close the container or bag tightly and refrigerate. This will allow you to keep the perfect texture.
Following these steps, lettuce should stay perfectly crunchy for at least five days.
Did you know?
Shredded lettuce is not a common topping in Mexico. Instead, we use shredded lettuce for tostadas, the equivalent of hard tacos in the USA. In Mexico, lettuce is typically used for specific types of tacos, like fish or potato tacos, which often feature lettuce or shredded cabbage.
Is lettuce ready? Use it as a garnish for this delicious Pozole Verde de Pollo Recipe or this Tacos de Sirloin.
Tips for Perfectly Chopped Lettuce:
- Sharp Knife: Use a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts and avoid bruising the lettuce.
- Chill the Lettuce: Keeping the lettuce chilled before chopping helps maintain its crispness.
- Store Properly: If you’re not using the lettuce immediately, store it in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture and keep it fresh.
That’s the secret to chopping lettuce for tacos or salads like a pro or an authentic Mexican! Check out the video tutorial below to see the process in action.
P.S. I made this video in collaboration with my compadre Sandra Navarro, who sells some unique homemade candles. Check them out here.
How to Shred lettuce for Tacos
Equipment
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Salad Spinner optional for keeping it crunchy for longer
- 2 paper towels optional for store
- 1 lettuce desinfectant Optional
Ingredients
- 1 piece iceberg lettuce
Instructions
Step-by-Step Guide to Chopping Lettuce for Tacos
- Start by cutting the lettuce head in half lengthwise. Keep the base intact as it will help hold the lettuce together while you cut.
- Place the halved lettuce on your cutting board. Hold the stem firmly, and start slicing the lettuce from the bottom. The secret is not to cut from the top down. Instead, you will be cutting just around one inch from the end down, slicing as finely as possible.
- After you’ve sliced one side, turn the lettuce around and repeat the process on the other side, continuing to chop finely until the entire head is shredded.
- This method of chopping lettuce is also great for your favorite salad recipes.
How to Keep Lettuce Crispy and Fresh for Days
- Disinfect: Add a few drops of the disinfectant to a bowl of water and let the lettuce soak for 8 minutes.
- Rinse and Spin: After soaking, rinse the lettuce thoroughly with clean water. Then, use a lettuce spinner to remove as much water as possible. Getting rid of excess water is key to keeping the lettuce fresh and crunchy for longer.
How to Store Iceber Lettuce for Tacos
- Store Properly: Once you've removed as much water as possible, place paper towels at the bottom of an airtight container or a plastic bag with a paper towel. This helps absorb any remaining moisture. Close the container or bag tightly and refrigerate. This will allow you to keep perfect texture.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This is the perfect technique to achieve thin cuts of lettuce for tacos