04, 2024
So long, sogginess!
Learn how to keep lettuce fresh with these tips and tricks.
They’ll leave you with crisp, crunchy lettuce every time.
DenisFilm/Shutterstock
Soggy, slimy leaves.
Sad,wilted lettuce.
Just writing those words makes me cringe.
Its frustrating to waste food, and leafy greens tend to go bad quickly.
A few days in the fridge and into the garbage they go.
Lettuce help (sorry, I couldnt help myself!).
Want to keep your green onions fresh too?
Learn how with our guide:How to Store Green Onions.
Bacteria, bugs, dirt and pesticides are just a few things that can linger on lettuce.
The best way to remove these pesky germs?
Wash them right off.
We recommend washing your lettuce right when you get home from the store so you dont forget.
Towash lettuce, first pick through the bag and remove any damaged, wilted, damp or slimy leaves.
For head lettuce, remove any outer leaves that look damaged.
This limits the moisture left behind, extending the life of the rest of the greens.
Wondering if you should washpre-washed lettuce?
Even if lettuce is pre-washed, it doesnt mean there arent any extra germs lying around.
Store in the refrigerator.
A container is best to avoid bruising and bacteria buildup.
Keep in mind that even if you do everything right, your lettuce may wilt a bit.
Crisp it up by soaking cut lettuce in ice water for a few minutes.
Then, spin dry as you normally would.
This is great for slightly wilted lettuce.
These fruits release gas as they ripen, which causes other produce to age prematurely.
Bookmark thisstorage produce guideto keep tabs on your other produce, too.
How long does lettuce last?
How long lettuce lasts depends on how its stored and whichtype of lettuceit is.
Left intact and unwashed, head lettuce will last one to three weeks in the fridge.
Compared to other leafy greens, lettuce reigns as the long shelf life champion.
claire krieger/taste of home
Can you freeze lettuce?
If you want to keep your lettuce for even longer, consider freezing it.
Yes, you really can freeze lettuce!
We recommend freezing thicker lettuce, like romaine or butterhead.
The same goes for other leafy greens like spinach and kale, which are great for freezing as well.
you could freeze lettuce one of two ways.
One way is to freeze full lettuce leaves.
To do so, separate and rinse off lettuce leaves and dab excess water off with a paper towel.
Then, place the leaves in anair-tight freezer bag.
Lettuce can be frozen for up to six months.
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