Produce
Romaine lettuce
Romaine is another raw-eaten leafy green with a large surface area, landing just below spinach and kale on residue evidence while delivering more crunch and less nutrition per gram.
Organic upgrade priority
Consider organic
Score 34/100 · about $1.88 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 47/100 against 9/100 for organic — a 38-point difference.
- →At about 4.8 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
- →Sample confidence is moderate, so the score is weighted down by 10%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 47/100
- Moderate residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 82/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $3.99
- per 3-head pack · organic +38%
- Servings a week
- 4.8
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 2,110
- Conventional, 2015–2024 · 97 organic
- Data confidence
- Moderate
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional romaine lettuce
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 2,110 | 97 |
| Program years | 2015–2024 | 2015–2024 |
| Samples with any residue | 86% | 19% |
| Mean residues per sample | 3.1 | 0.4 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 47/100 | 9/100 |
| Typical price | $3.99 / 3-head pack | $5.49 / 3-head pack |
Nutrition
Per 2 cups shredded (94 g).
16
calories
1.2 g
protein
2 g
fiber
—
sugar
- Vitamin K 92% DV
- Vitamin A 58% DV
- Folate 32% DV
How to wash romaine lettuce
Separate leaves and wash individually, then dry thoroughly — dressing will not cling to wet leaves and water speeds up spoilage in the fridge.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Romaine hearts sold in sleeves have had the outer leaves — where most surface residue and grit sit — already stripped.
- ◆Grilled romaine halves hold their structure better than any other lettuce and turn a cheap salad into a side dish.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic romaine?
It is a reasonable upgrade when the budget allows, but not the first one to make. Romaine lettuce scores 34/100 on organic upgrade priority, with conventional samples at 47/100 against 9/100 organic. At about $1.88 extra a week, it competes with several higher-priority items.
›Are romaine high in pesticides?
Romaine lettuce shows moderate residue evidence — an index of 47/100 relative to other commodities. Across 2,110 conventional samples from 2015–2024, 86% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 3.1 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.00% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic romaine cost?
About 38% more at typical U.S. retail — $3.99 per 3-head pack conventional against $5.49 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $1.88 a week.
›How should I wash romaine?
Separate leaves and wash individually, then dry thoroughly — dressing will not cling to wet leaves and water speeds up spoilage in the fridge.
›What can I buy instead of romaine?
If the organic version is out of budget or the fresh price has spiked, Cabbage, Spinach, Cucumbers cover similar ground on this list. Each one is either lower on residue evidence, cheaper per serving, or both.
Related foods
Spinach
$3.29 / 5 oz container · organic $4.49
Cabbage
$2.49 / head · organic $3.49
Cucumbers
$1.19 / each · organic $1.79
Kale
$2.79 / bunch · organic $3.79