How often have you tossed out fresh produce that wilted before its time? If you’re like most home chefs, figuring out how to store lettuce to keep it fresh is a constant kitchen challenge. The leafy vegetable definitely earns its place at the table. It’s a versatile ingredient in salads, sides, and entrees. It’s crisp and delicious and puts plenty of healthy nutrition on the plate.
5 tips on how to keep lettuce fresh
There’s more than one way to preserve fresh, crisp lettuce, and that’s good news for the home kitchen. Some methods work for all types of leafy vegetables while others are specific to one variety. There are a few general product rules to follow too. We offer this overview as your guide to keeping lettuce fresh and ready for your favorite recipes.
1. Get off to a fresh start
That lettuce in the produce section looks fresh, but you want to be sure. Know what to look for, and trust your nose too. Avoid iceberg heads with discolored or wilted leaves. Romaine leaves should be tightly wrapped around a firm core. Both types of lettuce have a pleasantly faint, earthy fragrance when they’re fresh. Pungent odors are a bad sign.
2. All lettuce belongs in fridge
The chill inside your refrigerator slows down the natural processes that ripen vegetables. The enclosed environment also reduces the growth of microorganisms that can damage fresh produce. Always put lettuce in the fridge as soon as it comes home from the store.
3. Crisper drawers are best
This handy fridge drawer earns its name by maintaining ideal moisture levels for vegetables. Most modern refrigerators feature crisper drawers with adjustable humidity settings. Keep it high, and don’t crowd the produce. Leafy greens need room to breathe.
4. Separate fruits and veggies
It’s best to put some distance between fruits and lettuce stored in the refrigerator. Most harvested fruits release ethylene gas that causes leafy greens to ripen too quickly. Keep papayas, peaches and cantaloupes away from fresh lettuce, and don’t forget the tomatoes. The round, red beauties really are fruits, not veggies.
5. Make one drawer a lettuce-only zone
Designate one crisper drawer as a lettuce-only zone. Simply adjust its vent to create a high-humidity environment, and you’re done. Reverse this strategy with the other drawer. Now you have a storage area that’s always ready for fruits and veggies that prefer low humidity.
Insider Tip: A colorful foodie decal on the outside of each crisper drawer helps everyone remember which is which.
