A bowl of wilted lettuce.

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My dad introduced me to homemade wilted lettuce a few years ago and I really enjoyed it. (The recipe originated from either Dad or Grandma–I’m not sure who.) This recipe without bacon is a simple and easy way to use fresh garden lettuce, even lettuce that has started going bitter.

How Do You Make Wilted Lettuce?

Ingredients for Homemade Wilted Lettuce:

  • 2-4 cups fresh lettuce (leaf lettuce works best)
  • 2 Tbsp. vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar or honey
  • 1 tsp. dried basil
  • Dash salt
  • Dash onion powder
  • 1 tsp. water (only if lettuce is dry)
A bowl of freshly picked, green leaf lettuce.

Instructions for Making the Salad

Wash lettuce, removing any brown pieces. Tear lettuce into small pieces. (You could leave small pieces of leaf lettuce whole, but I still prefer to tear it into bite-sized pieces.) Place lettuce into salad bowl.

Stirring seasonings into vinegar to make dressing.

Combine vinegar, water (if the lettuce is dry), sugar/honey, and seasonings in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring to dissolve sugar/honey.

Wilted lettuce in a bowl.

Immediately pour hot dressing over lettuce, stirring quickly to wilt. Serve warm.

Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Wilted Lettuce

How to make wilted lettuce
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 minute
Total Time6 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: wilted lettuce
Servings: 1 salad
Author: Rachel Abernathy

Equipment

  • Salad bowl
  • Fork
  • Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2-4 cups fresh lettuce (leaf lettuce works best)
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar or honey
  • 1 tsp. dried basil
  • Dash salt
  • Dash onion powder
  • 1 tsp. water (only if lettuce is dry)

Instructions

  • Wash lettuce and tear into small pieces.
  • Combine vinegar, water (if using), sugar/honey, and seasonings in saucepan. Stir and bring to a rolling boil.
  • Immediately pour hot dressing over lettuce, stirring quickly to wilt. Serve warm.
This simple recipe for wilted lettuce is a great way to use up freshly picked lettuce (without bacon)!

2 Replies to “Wilted Lettuce Recipe”

  1. 5 stars
    I would get wilted lettuce every summer on vacation, but my aunt used to add bacon to her wilted lettuce and oh, it just made it taste even better! Just put the vinegar mixture into the skillet after cooking, let it get hot and pour quickly onto the lettuce stirring to coat and wilt the lettuce.

  2. 5 stars
    I grew up eating this salad. My mom also added hard boiled eggs. I still eat it!

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