Which ingredient is typically used as a base in salads?

The ingredient that is typically used as a base in salads is lettuce. It serves as the foundational element around which a salad is built, providing a crisp texture and a mild flavor that complements a variety of toppings, dressings, and other vegetables or proteins. Lettuce varieties, such as romaine, iceberg, or arugula, are popular for their ability to add volume and structure to the salad, while also offering nutritional benefits.

While rice, pasta, and chicken can be incorporated into salads to create more substantial dishes, they do not serve as the traditional base. Rice and pasta are generally used as additional ingredients to enhance the dish, providing carbohydrates, whereas chicken is often added for protein. Thus, lettuce remains the classic choice for the foundational element in a salad.