Romaine Lettuce Yield: Trimmed, Ready-to-Serve
Untrimmed romaine gives about 0.64 lb of ready-to-serve lettuce per pound purchased (USDA Food Buying Guide): outer leaves, the core and damaged parts go. USDA’s nutrient database counts only the core (6%) as refuse, which is why trimmed hearts yield far more than whole, untrimmed heads.
USDA yields for romaine
From the USDA Food Buying Guide: how much ready-to-use or cooked product one pound as purchased gives.
| As purchased (USDA description) | Result, as USDA states it | Yield | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce, fresh; Romaine, Untrimmed | 1 lb AP = 0.64 lb ready-to-serve raw lettuce (ready to use, raw) | 64% | FBG table |
How much is waste
USDA’s nutrient database (SR28, NDB 11251) lists 6% of “Lettuce, cos or romaine, raw” as refuse: core.
How much to buy
At 64% (ready-to-serve lettuce):
| Ready to use | Buy as purchased |
|---|---|
| 1.00 lb | 1.56 lb |
| 5.00 lb | 7.81 lb |
| 10.0 lb | 15.6 lb |
| 25.0 lb | 39.1 lb |
Cost per usable pound
At 64%, the price per pound as purchased becomes:
| Price as purchased | Cost per usable pound |
|---|---|
| $1.50/lb | $2.34/lb |
| $2.00/lb | $3.13/lb |
| $2.50/lb | $3.91/lb |
Example prices. Put yours in the food yield calculator.
Run your own numbers
Good to know
- Hearts and pre-trimmed heads yield much more than untrimmed romaine; weigh your own before costing a salad.
FAQ
How much of a head of romaine is usable?
About 64% of untrimmed romaine is ready-to-serve lettuce, per the USDA Food Buying Guide.
How much romaine do I need for 10 lb of salad greens?
About 15.6 lb of untrimmed romaine (10 ÷ 0.64).
Why do romaine yields vary so much?
It depends on what you buy. Untrimmed heads lose outer leaves as well as the core; USDA’s nutrient database, which assumes trimmed lettuce, counts only the 6% core as waste.
Sources
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (yield tables; public domain)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (refuse)
USDA figures are averages; size, grade, trim, ripeness and cooking change them. Weigh your own main items before you cost a menu on them.
Last reviewed October 11, 2026.