- To keep lettuce fresh, inspect the leaves closely when shopping and skip any leaves that show signs of wilting or damage.
- Wait to wash your lettuce until just before using it, as excess moisture can promote bacterial growth.
- Always handle lettuce with clean hands, utensils and cutting boards to avoid cross-contamination.
Lettuce adds a crisp, fresh flavor to salads, sandwiches and more. But without proper storage, these delicate greens can wilt, lose their crunch, or turn into a mushy mess—a waste of food and money. Here are five expert tips to help your salad last longer.
1. When shopping, look for signs of damage
Properly storing tender greens starts with shopping wisely at the supermarket, he says Drew McDonaldSenior Vice President of Quality and Food Safety at Taylor Farms. “Before you buy the product and take it home, check that the lettuce and lettuce leaves are not bruised or damaged, and take the expiration date into account,” says McDonald.
Check heads of lettuce or packaged greens for wilts, dark spots, or wet, mushy spots before adding them to your shopping cart. Once at home, throw away any damaged or slimy leaves before using the rest.
2. After opening, store it properly
Smart storage can keep lettuce and other salad greens looking and tasting great for longer – but that’s a little harder than it seems. That’s because packaged lettuce and salad mixes come in plastic wraps or containers designed to regulate air circulation and moisture levels. Each leafy vegetable has a packaging tailored to its needs, and once opened, your salad’s days are numbered.
“The best-before date is a good guide, but it is not an absolute guideline,” says McDonald. “It’s not about extending the shelf life of your salad greens, but rather maximizing it.” This means that you need to use the greens as soon as possible after opening the original packaging to reduce the risk of damage from oxidation, too much or too little moisture.
To extend the shelf life of your salad, place opened greens in a breathable container or resealable bag with paper towels to absorb extra moisture. Store them in a vegetable drawer and handle them carefully—this simple step can keep your salad fresh, crisp and ready to eat for several days.
3. Avoid cross-contamination
Since lettuce and other salads are typically eaten raw, McDonald says it’s important to prevent contact with risky foods like raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs – from the checkout counter to the refrigerator. Before preparing salad, wash your hands and clean countertops, cutting boards, and utensils with hot, soapy water, especially after handling raw foods.
“In other words, treat it like raw meat,” says McDonald. “Not because the products are contaminated, but to avoid contamination.” When lettuce comes into contact with raw foods such as meat or poultry and is then refrigerated, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria – compromising both safety and quality. For safety reasons, discard any product that has come into contact with raw food after cutting, peeling, or cooking, or has been left unrefrigerated for more than two hours.
4. Do not use soap or bleach
Despite food safety concerns about fresh produce, you should never wash lettuce with soap or use bleach to disinfect it. In fact, this can do more harm than good. “Never use soap or bleach to wash fresh fruits or vegetables, as these products are not intended for consumption,” warns McDonald. Instead, simply rinse the leaves under cold water to remove any residue.
5. Rinse lettuce shortly before use
If your salad needs rinsing, only rinse what you plan to use. Pre-rinsing the entire batch can leave excess moisture behind, which promotes bacterial growth and causes the leaves to spoil more quickly. When you’re ready to enjoy it, McDonald recommends rinsing the whole heads of leafy greens—like iceberg, romaine lettuce, and cabbage—under cold running water just before using, then gently patting them dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel.
More tips for storing lettuce
- Keep it sealed. If you know you won’t be using packaged lettuce or lettuce leaves for a few days, keep the original packaging sealed in your refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. This prevents oxidation, which can lead to faster spoilage.
- Skip washing if it is pre-washed. McDonald points out that it is unnecessary to wash packaged products labeled with terms such as “triple washed,” “washed,” or “ready to eat” before serving.
- Limit air exposure. To extend shelf life, he recommends squeezing excess air out of the package and rolling the bag down to avoid crushing the delicate leaves. Use a chip clip or tape to keep the bag closed.
- Take only what you need. “It is never recommended to put unused products back in the bag,” says McDonald. “This creates the possibility of cross-contamination.”
Our expert opinion
Properly storing lettuce can help maximize its freshness and reduce food waste. When shopping, first carefully check the quality and best-before date of lettuce and other lettuce. Keep lettuce and other fresh produce away from raw foods like meat or poultry – in your grocery bags, in the refrigerator and during meal preparation. Before handling lettuce, wash your hands, surfaces and utensils thoroughly with soap and warm water. Finally, keep the packaging sealed until you are ready to use the salad to preserve its crunch. These simple steps can help your salad stay fresher longer to reduce food waste, save money and make your meals more enjoyable.
