Cabbage vs Lettuce
What's the difference between cabbage and lettuce?
Often confused in salads, cabbage and lettuce are actually from completely different plant families — cabbage is Brassicaceae (like broccoli), lettuce is Asteraceae (like chrysanthemum). Let's compare their nutrition, price, and best uses.
Nutrition (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Cabbage | Lettuce |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 21kcal | 11kcal◎ |
| Protein | 1.3g◎ | 0.6g |
| Fiber | 1.8g◎ | 1.1g |
| Vitamin C | 41mg◎ | 5mg |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 0.3mg |
| Calcium | 43mg◎ | 19mg |
| Potassium | 200mg | 200mg |
| Beta-carotene | 50μg | 240μg◎ |
| Folate | 78μg◎ | 73μg |
Source: Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (8th ed.) 2020
Price Comparison
Cabbage
Annual average (2026)
Lettuce
Annual average (2026)
Peak Season
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage | ○ | ○ | Peak | Peak | Peak | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| Lettuce | ○ | △ | △ | ○ | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | ○ | — | △ | ○ |
Storage & Flavor
Cabbage
Flavor
Sweet flavor with a pleasant texture. Spring cabbage is especially tender and sweet. Winter cabbage has firm leaves with a crisp bite
Shelf Life
2-3 weeks refrigerated (whole), 3-4 days when cut
How to Select
Choose cabbages that feel heavy and tightly packed. The outer leaves should be vibrant green and the cut stem white and moist. For spring cabbage, loose leaves are normal
Lettuce
Flavor
Juicy, crisp texture with a gentle sweetness. Primarily eaten raw, but can also be wilted in stir-fries or soups. Mild bitterness makes it easy to eat
Shelf Life
Refrigerated: 5-7 days (whole), 2-3 days (cut)
How to Select
Choose a heavy head with tightly packed leaves. Outer leaves should be fresh green; the cut base should be white and moist. For leaf lettuce, select deeper-colored leaves
Verdict
Cabbage leads in nutrition, cost-performance, and cooking versatility. Lettuce is unbeatable for fresh, crisp salads. Choose based on how you plan to use them.
FAQ
Are cabbage and lettuce related?
No. Cabbage is Brassicaceae (related to daikon and broccoli), lettuce is Asteraceae (related to shungiku/chrysanthemum greens). They look similar but are botanically very different.
Which lasts longer?
Cabbage wins easily. A whole cabbage keeps 2–3 weeks refrigerated, while lettuce lasts only 5–7 days.
Which is better for cooking?
Cabbage gets sweeter when heated and works in stir-fries, soups, and stews. Lettuce can be used in fried rice or soup but wilts significantly, losing much of its volume.