You can do it either way – you can core the romaine lettuce and then wash the large leaves or you can completely chop the romaine lettuce like I did in the video then rinse and spin dry with the salad spinner (which is what we usually do). Starting an inch or two from the bottom, stab your knife halfway through the bunch in... 3. 2. You want two long halves of lettuce. Wash any visible dirt and debris from the outside leaves. A good salad spinner will spin it … Holding the lettuce steady in one hand and your knife in the other, chop lengthwise down the middle of the head of lettuce. For easy cutting, use a chef’s knife and start by pressing the pointed end of the chef's knife through the open, leafy end of the head. Chop the head of romaine in half, lengthwise. The Fastest, Easiest Way to Cut Romaine for Salads 1. Shake or pat dry.