One of the hardest produce items to keep fresh is lettuce, right? Not anymore! The secret to keeping lettuce crisp all depends on storage, and the storage can change depending on what type of lettuce you have. By following these guidelines, your lettuce should stay fresh for a few weeks.
HERE ARE A FEW KEY POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR ALL FRESH LETTUCES:
1. Lettuce “rusts” or turns brown much faster when it’s exposed to metal. Tear lettuce with your hands or cut it with a plastic knife.
2. If you prefer to wash romaine or loose lettuces before storing, make sure they are completely dry. You can do this with a salad spinner or by laying them out on a towel or paper towel.
3. When storing lettuce in a zip-top bag, make sure it has room to breathe. You don’t want to pack it too tightly, which makes it soggy where it’s smashed.
4. For any lettuce stored in water, change the water as needed if you notice it’s brown or low.
Iceberg Lettuce
Core before you store
Crisp head lettuce (like iceberg) lasts longer with the core removed.
Step One: to remove the core, hold the entire head of lettuce core side down
Step Two: Firmly hit the core until it becomes loose.
Step Three: Pull it out and store the whole head of lettuce in a zip-top bag in the crisper drawer.
Romaine
Regrow like a pro
To store romaine lettuce, cut the core off a few inches above the bottom (don’t throw it away!), rinse the leaves and let fully dry on a towel or paper towel. Store upright in the refrigerator with a little bit of water. If you don’t have space to store romaine upright, you can wrap the ends in a damp paper towel and store in a zip-top bag. To regrow romaine lettuce, place the cut core in a glass with water and leave it by a window. Leaves will start to regrow from the center within a few days, with full leaves ready to eat in a few weeks.
Loose Leaf Lettuces
Moisture-Free Magic
When it comes to loose lettuces (spinach, arugula, salad mixes, etc.), store them in a large zip-top bag with a paper towel. The paper towel absorbs moisture and will need to be changed periodically. If you notice any condensation in the bag, simply wipe it out before you put it back in the refrigerator. When you close the bag, don’t pack it too tightly—the lettuce lasts longer if it has room to breathe.
