What’s The Best Lettuce Knife in 2024?

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No one really pays attention to small details when it comes to knives. If the knife is solid, well put together, and super sharp, you can use it for pretty much anything. However, specialized knives provide a better experience overall. Not only do they cut better, but they also ensure that the final result is perfect. Sometimes, a specialized knife may not necessarily make sense, yet small details will often make a difference in the long run. For example, who needs a specialized lettuce knife?

You can cut lettuce with any knife or even tear it. But then, have you noticed it tends to go brownish on the edges? On the same note, the color will go darker and darker. It is not necessarily harmful, but it will not look appealing at all – plus, some of the nutrients could be lost. From this point of view, choosing the best lettuce knife becomes a priority, especially if you cook for others. Now, what should you know about these knives and what are the best-rated options out there?

About lettuce knives

San Jamar LK200W Nylon Lettuce Knife, 12Lettuce knives are made to cut lettuce, but without causing those unpleasant visual effects – getting the lettuce to wilt, yellow or brown. Commonly, these knives come with plastic blades. Plastic will never react with the lettuce, so it will never cause browning on the edges, unlike knives with metal blades. These blades are often serrated for a clean and easy sawing movement.

At this point, you may ask yourself – what is the problem with brown lettuce then? Yellow or brown lettuce is unpleasant to see. It looks old and off, so it might put your guests off. Some nutrients might be lost, but overall, there is nothing to be concerned about. If you only cook for yourself, a lettuce knife is not necessary. Moreover, lettuce knives reduce the necessity to handle lettuce directly – a lower risk of foodborne illnesses.

More people turn to lettuce knives because they allow clean and efficient cuts and are cheap. You can cut through lettuce and retain its crispiness without having to tear it. You can cut in manageable chunks for further cooking as well.

It is worth noting that lettuce knives are versatile as well. They will work fine on tomatoes too, not to mention a plethora of soft vegetables. A lettuce knife will work with soft bread, as well as cakes. It will give a clean cut with no torn and ragged edges.

Now that you have a few hints about these knives, what is the best lettuce knife on the market? Here are the top-rated options based on other buyers’ reviews and recommendations.

2024’s 5 Best Lettuce Knives

San Jamar LK200W

San Jamar LK200W Nylon Lettuce Knife, 12Versatile applications – San Jamar’s best lettuce knife is designed with versatility in mind. Practically, this knife is specifically developed to allow cutting through lettuce while still maintaining green edges and a crispy texture – no chemical reactions there. However, you can use it for soft vegetables, bread and cake as well.

Classic blade – The blade is fully serrated. It has relatively wide serrations. It will go through lettuce and other foods with no issues at all, without leaving any mess behind. The knife allows an effortless operation. Altogether, it measures 12 inches. The blade is longer than the actual handle, so most of the balance is on the blade – comfortable and well balanced.

Ergonomic handle – The handle has an ergonomic design – slightly curved. It has a good texture. While based on nylon, it is less likely to slip out of your hand, even if it is wet. It feels comfortable to hold as well – after all, the knife weighs just over 1.5 ounces. The knife consists of one piece only. It only comes in light green.

Nylon design – Both the handle and the blade are made of nylon. Nylon is super durable, so this knife will most likely last for ages, especially if you use it for the right foods. Nylon ensures there are no chemical reactions with lettuce, so it will never go brown again. It is also safe to use on nonstick baking stuff without scratching it.

Pros

  • Durable nylon construction
  • Comfortable handle
  • Suitable for more foods
  • Good size
  • Safe to use with nonstick bakeware

Cons

  • Might feel a bit flimsy when cutting into a lettuce head
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Zyliss Lettuce Knife

ZYLISS Lettuce KnifeClassic design – The best lettuce knife from Zyliss is a classic lettuce knife. It has a simplistic, yet durable design. It is also suitable for other foods, as long as they are soft. It works great with tomatoes, cabbage, bread, and cake. It comes in one style and color only – green. Other than that, it feels comfortable and solid as you use it due to being well balanced.

Serrated blade – The blade is fully serrated. It has a relatively sharp tip. The other side of the blade is dull and not usable. Serrations are quite wide and not very sharp, but overall, the knife is super-efficient at going through lettuce, cabbage, and other foods. Altogether, the knife measures 12 inches in length, with the blade being almost two times longer than the handle.

Comfortable handle – The handle is short but great for both small and large hands. It has a nice curve that imitates the human hand. Everything is made of plastic – both the blade and the handle. The balance is towards the tip for an easy operation. Other than that, the handle also features a hole at the end, so you can hook this knife upon aboard.

Uses and maintenance – Given the plastic profile, this knife is less likely to scratch anything. In other words, you can use it for plastic and nonstick cookware as well – no risks to damage anything. When it comes to its maintenance, it is perfectly safe to clean it in a dishwasher. It is not metallic but made of plastic, so it is less likely to go dull. 

Pros

  • Versatile applications
  • Durable plastic design
  • Can be cleaned in a dishwasher
  • Suitable for nonstick cookware
  • Well balanced

Cons

  • Only available in one color
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Oxo Good Grips Lettuce Knife

OXO Good Grips Lettuce Knife with Kale StripperVersatile uses – This knife is all about versatility and value for money. You get both a lettuce knife and a kale stripper. Plus, you can use the lettuce knife for other foods as well, so this knife is likely to become a soft vegetable knife for everyday needs. It is just handy for cake – pretty much anything that is soft. It comes with a green handle and a clear blade.

Superior blade – Despite looking like a classic knife, the blade is not metallic. In fact, everything is made of plastic. The blade features BPA free plastic. It is clear and prevents the greens from going brown. It has round serrations for easy cutting operations without having to tear lettuce. Overall, the knife measures 12.7 inches – the blade is almost two times longer than the handle.

Comfortable handle – The handle is straight and ergonomically designed. Since it is shorter than the blade, most of the balance goes towards the tip of the blade – easy when you cut. The handle has a large hole to hook the unit up aboard. Both the handle and the blade are made from the same type of plastic, which is also safe for nonstick and coated cookware – no scratches there.

Extras and maintenance – In terms of extras, the kale stripping feature adds to your convenience. It has four holes on the blade to strip kale – each of them in a different shape. A simple pull will leave stems behind. When it comes to maintenance, you can just throw the knife inside a dishwasher and run a cycle. You are less likely to damage it.

Pros

  • Multiple uses
  • Comes with a kale stripper too
  • Can be hooked up aboard
  • Comfortable to use
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • Not sharp enough for super soft and juicy vegetables
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

 

Norpro Lettuce Knife

Norpro, Green Lettuce Knife, 1-PackProfessional design – Featuring a beautiful design and a comfortable feel, Norpro’s best lettuce knife is one of the top-rated options in this range. Not only does it look good, but it also comes with great value for money and durable construction that will last for years. Obviously, you can use it for other veggies too, as well as soft bread and cake. It is only available in green.

Excellent blade – Overall, this knife measures 12.75 inches. The blade is two inches in width at its widest point. It has a sharp tip and features lots of tight serrations for a cleaner cut. This is the main reason wherefore you can use the knife on soft and juicy veggies like tomatoes. The blade is made of plastic and about two times longer than the handle.

Efficient handle – The handle is a bit curved and follows the shape of the human hand. It is made of the same plastic material. Even if your hands are wet or sweaty, the handle will not slip out of your hands. It ensures a soft grip and puts most of the balance on the tip of the blade. The handle features a hole at the end, but it also has a nice green design in a few different nuances.

Efficiency and maintenance – The efficiency of this knife is given by the tight serrations, which provide super versatile use. The plastic used in its composition is BPA free – not just save, but also efficient against browning. Unlike other lettuce knives in this price range, this one should not be cleaned in a dishwasher. Manual cleaning is highly recommended. 

Pros

 

  • Super efficient blade
  • Good looking design
  • Handguard to prevent injuries
  • Durable plastic design
  • Comfortable to use

Cons

  • Should not be cleaned in a dishwasher
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Oxo Lettuce Knife 1 EA

OXO Lettuce Knife, 1 EALarge-sized design – This knife is designed with practical uses in mind. It is large, wide, and can be used for a plethora of veggies, as well as cake and soft bread. Altogether, the knife is 14.5 inches in length – longer than other knives in this range. The blade is two times longer than the handle. It only comes in one design – a clear blade that looks metallic and a green handle.

Versatile blade – The blade is quite long, but also wide. At the widest point, it measures 4.25 inches. It is great for lettuce, cabbage, and large leafy vegetables. It is clear, but it looks metallic. It also features tight serrations, which are more likely to retain their efficiency over time. The blade is made of plastic, which cancels the burning process and prevents lettuce from going brown.

Soft handle – The handle is made of a similar type of plastic. It is hard, but it feels soft as you hold it. Since it is short, most of the stability goes towards the tip of the knife. This kind of design helps during the cutting procedure – little to no effort at all. The handle also features an ergonomic shape and fits perfectly in your hand. It will never slip out either.

Uses and maintenance – When it comes to uses, the versatile knife is suitable for all kinds of soft foods, but it is also great for nonstick or coated pans and pots. It is less likely to scratch them. Given its size and width, it is handy as a cake serving tool too. While it is practically dishwasher safe, manually cleaning it will prevent potential damage in the long run. 

Pros

  • Soft and comfortable grip
  • Nonslip handle
  • Efficient blade
  • Oversized design
  • Easy to look after

Cons

  • Not good enough to penetrate crusts and homemade bread
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are lettuce knives dishwasher safe?

Generally speaking, plastic is dishwasher safe – most of its varieties. From this point of view, most lettuce knives are dishwasher safe. However, this is not a general rule. Some knives are better than others and some brands recommend washing them manually to prevent damage and dullness in the long run. Therefore, stick to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are not sure, simply clean the knife manually.

Will lettuce knives keep lettuce fresh for longer?

No, they will not. Plastic will not have any chemical reactions with lettuce. Metallic components do. Plus, metallic components come up with a burning reaction when they cut through the lettuce. From these points of view, lettuce and other greens can turn yellow or brown. While they might lose a few nutrients, they will not lose their freshness. A plastic knife will not increase the freshness.

Is brown lettuce safe to eat?

Lettuce goes slightly brown when cut with a metallic knife. It is mostly a matter of looks. If you cook for some guests, you want the lettuce to look fresh, green, and crispy. Tearing it apart or using a metallic knife will reduce its aspect. However, in terms of health and safety, yellow or brown lettuce is totally safe to eat.

Will a lettuce knife eliminate the risk of foodborne illnesses?

A plastic-based lettuce knife will certainly reduce the risks associated with such illnesses, but it will not fully prevent them. In fact, you should always wash your hands when dealing with food, not to mention washing lettuce before using, cutting, or cooking it. The same rule applies to all fruits and vegetables. Whether you use a lettuce spinner or you wash it properly under cool running water, the procedure will ensure many affections are prevented.

Can I cut lettuce with a straight plastic blade?

Serrations are more efficient at cutting through lettuce due to the sawing movements. This is the main reason wherefore so many lettuce knives come with serrations. Ideally, this is the type of design you should look for.

Conclusion

Deciding on the best lettuce knife is not as difficult as it may seem. Sure, there are a few good options available. But they are all serrated plastic knives and cheap.