Lettuce
Quick answer: Lettuce lasts 1-2 weeks in the fridge for iceberg and romaine varieties, or 3-7 days for leaf and spinach types. Room temperature and freezing are both not recommended, the fridge is your only real option here.
Lettuce is one of those things that looks fine in the cart and is somehow already wilting by Tuesday. The fridge is its only real home, room temperature and freezing both ruin it fast. Get the storage right and you'll actually finish the head before it turns into a bag of regret.
Pantry
Refrigerator
Freezer
How to store lettuce
Keep lettuce unwashed in a perforated plastic bag or airtight container lined with a dry paper towel, the towel absorbs the moisture that turns leaves slimy. Tuck it in the crisper drawer at 32-34°F and leave a little airflow; sealing it airtight is how you end up with a bag of brown soup.
How to spot spoilage
Yellowing or brown spots are the first warning. After that: translucent, slimy patches on the leaves, a sour or foul smell instead of that clean green scent, and a mushy or excessively wilted texture when you pick a leaf up. Any slime means it's done.
Use it up before it spoils
- Throw the whole head into a big grain bowl with whatever's in the fridge, lettuce doesn't need to be the star, just the base.
- Wrap leftover protein (chicken, beans, rice) in large leaves for quick lettuce wraps tonight.
- Blend soft or slightly wilted leaves into a green smoothie, you won't taste them.
- Chop and toss into a warm soup right before serving for a wilted-greens effect.
- Make a quick chopped salad with whatever canned goods or pantry staples you have on hand, chickpeas, olives, feta.
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Best ways to preserve
- dehydrate
- ferment
- pickle
Nutrition at a glance
Per 72 g (2 cups chopped)
| Calories | 11 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2.1 g |
| Fiber | 0.9 g |
| Sugar | 0.6 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 20 mg |
Source: USDA FoodData Central. Lettuce, green leaf, raw (SR Legacy)
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Frequently asked questions
Can you freeze lettuce?
Freezing raw lettuce is not recommended, the texture collapses completely once thawed, leaving you with limp, watery leaves. It's only marginally viable if blanched first for use in cooked dishes, but even then the quality is poor.
Does lettuce need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Lettuce should always be stored in the refrigerator, room temperature is not recommended and will cause it to wilt and spoil quickly. The crisper drawer at 32-34u00b0F is the ideal spot.
How long does lettuce last after cutting?
Cut or chopped lettuce typically lasts 3-5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb moisture. It's on the shorter end of the lettuce shelf-life range, so plan to use it early in the week.
How can you tell if lettuce has gone bad?
Bad lettuce shows yellowing or brown spots, slimy or translucent patches on the leaves, and a sour or foul smell instead of a fresh green scent. If the leaves are mushy or slimy to the touch, it's time to toss it.
How do you store lettuce to make it last longer?
Store lettuce unwashed in a perforated bag or container with a dry paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture, and keep it in the crisper drawer. Washing before storage speeds up spoilage, so hold off until you're ready to use it.