whats the best way to store frsh picked leaf lettuce long term

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So long, sogginess! Learn how to keep lettuce fresh with these tips and tricks. They'll leave you with crisp, crunchy lettuce every time.

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Soggy, slimy leaves. Sad, wilted lettuce. Merely writing those words makes me cringe. Information technology's frustrating to waste product food, and leafy greens tend to go bad rapidly. A few days in the refrigerator and into the garbage they go.

Lettuce aid (sorry, I couldn't help myself!). These expert tips will keep your lettuce crisp and succulent for a week (or longer).

How to Launder Lettuce

There is more than what meets the centre hanging out on your lettuce leaves. Bacteria, bugs, clay and pesticides are just a few of the things that linger on lettuce. The best fashion to remove these pesky germs? Wash them right off.

We recommend washing your lettuce correct when you get home from the store so you don't forget. To wash lettuce, first pick through the bag and remove any leaves that are damaged, wilted, damp or slimy. For head lettuce, remove whatsoever outer leaves that look damaged. This limits the moisture left backside, extending the life of the rest of the greens. Then, lightly rinse nether water and pad with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to clean off your leaves.

Wondering if you should wash pre-washed lettuce? While there's no black or white respond on this i, we recommend washing it only to be on the safe side. Even if lettuce is pre-done, it doesn't mean there aren't any actress germs lying around.

How to Shop Lettuce

Lettuce needs moisture and airflow to stay well-baked, but too much of either causes pitiful, wilted greens. Depending on how long you'd like to store your lettuce, you tin can choose to store information technology as a total head of lettuce or individual lettuce leaves.

To shop a total caput of lettuce, wrap in a damp newspaper towel and put the head inside a plastic bag. Shop in the refrigerator.

If you're storing individual lettuce leaves, spin them dry after washing and place in a lettuce keeper in the fridge. A container is best to avert bruising and bacteria buildup. Yous tin also use a plastic bag if y'all go on a corner open for airflow, or you can store them stemless and wrapped in a wet paper towel in your crisper drawer. Brand sure to add a few paper towels to absorb excess wet and replace the newspaper towels every few days if they become too damp.

Keep in listen that even if you exercise everything right, your lettuce may wilt a fleck. Crisp information technology up by soaking cutting lettuce in ice h2o for a few minutes. Then, spin dry out as you normally would. This is neat for slightly wilted lettuce.

You should also proceed lettuce away from ethylene fruits (like pears, avocados, apples and tomatoes) because they release gas as they ripen, which causes other produce to age prematurely. Bookmark this storage produce guide to keep tabs on your other produce, too.

How Long Does Lettuce Last?

How long lettuce lasts depends on how it'southward stored and which type of lettuce information technology is. Loose leaf lettuce can last vii to ten days when properly stored, but caput lettuce lasts much longer than that. Left intact and unwashed, caput lettuce volition final one to iii weeks in the fridge. In comparison to other leafy greens, though, lettuce reigns as the long shelf life champion.

If you tin can't remember how long you've had your lettuce, call back this: When in doubtfulness, toss it out—peculiarly if information technology smells bad, looks gross or feels slimy.

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Tin can you Freeze Lettuce?

If y'all're looking to go along your lettuce for even longer, consider freezing information technology. Yes, y'all really can freeze lettuce!

We recommend freezing thicker lettuces, like romaine or butterhead. Continue in mind that lettuce tends to lose some of its crispness and flavour when it freezes, so it's best to freeze lettuce for smoothies, soups and stews—not for recipes that rely on fresh lettuce leaves similar salads. Same goes for other leafy greens like spinach and kale, which are cracking for freezing as well.

Yous tin can freeze lettuce one of two ways. I fashion is to freeze full lettuce leaves. To do so, dissever and rinse off lettuce leaves and dab excess water off with a newspaper towel. Then, identify the leaves in an air-tight freezer pocketbook. Y'all can also freeze lettuce past pureeing it and freezing it in ice cube trays for liquid recipes like smoothies and soups. Lettuce tin can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Use That Crisp Lettuce in These Protein-Packed Salad Recipes

Asian Slaw with Steak

34 grams of protein per serving Principal-dish salads are then perfect for summertime, particularly this one with its Asian-inspired dressing—my favorite'due south favorite flavour. The colorful slaw and juicy steak combo is super quick and wonderful for breezy weeknight dinners. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California Get Recipe

Charcoal-broil Pork Cobb Salad

35 grams of protein per serving My lunchtime salad gets way more interesting topped with charcoal-broil pork, cheddar cheese and creamy avocado. It's every bit satisfying as it is scrumptious. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California

Grilled Steak Bruschetta Salad for two

28 grams of protein per serving Burn up the grill for this tasty salad. The meat will be done in a snap, leaving you more time to bask the summer evening. —Devon Delaney, Princeton, New Bailiwick of jersey

Berry Chicken Salad

28 grams of protein per serving Brilliant berries and flossy goat cheese make this i a winner! —Wendy Ball, Boxing Creek, Michigan

Cheeseburger Basin

29 grams of protein per serving This recipe is a unique and lighter way to enjoy an American summer staple. You tin as well brand the dressing with ranch dressing, 1 tablespoon of xanthous mustard and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. —Laurie Rogerson, Ellington, Connecticut

29 grams of protein per serving In my all-purpose salad, you tin change upward the pasta, nuts and cheese. If you have tomatoes, leftover turkey or a fresh lemon to clasp, go for information technology. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan

Turkey and Apple tree Arugula Salad

30 grams of poly peptide per serving This satisfying salad proves that turkey can be enjoyed outside of the holidays. Peppery salad greens, sweet grapes and rich walnuts combine to create a flavor sensation. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Chicken & Onion Caesar Salad

31 grams of protein per serving My Caesar with grilled chicken is a healthier alternative to heavy meat and potatoes dishes. After grilling the kabobs, we serve them family unit manner. —Melissa Adams, Tooele, Utah

Grilled Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

32 grams of poly peptide per serving This cool noodle salad makes a bang-up casual one-bowl dinner or a perfect dish for a potluck or buffet. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida

Salmon & Feta Wilted Spinach Salad

32 grams of protein per serving My friend mentioned a Turkish salmon and couscous dish that sounded fantastic, so I started experimenting. I prefer this salad warm, merely it's likewise tasty served common cold. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia

Raspberry-Walnut Pork Salad

34 grams of protein per serving Raspberry, rosemary, Gorgonzola and walnuts combine to make a pork dish that's bursting with flavor. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

Ginger-Cashew Chicken Salad

23 grams of protein per serving I revamped an Asian-fashion chicken salad recipe to create this gingery, crunchy salad. At present it'due south a huge success when I serve information technology at ladies luncheons. —Shelly Gramer, Long Beach, California

Salmon and Spud Salad

34 grams of poly peptide per serving I headed direct for the kitchen when I decided to choice upward a healthier lifestyle. This salmon with veggies proves that smart choices can be simple and satisfying. —Matthew Teixeira, Milton, Ontario

Chili-Rubbed Steak & Bread Salad

23 grams of protein per serving Nosotros love brim steak in our house. To make information technology a repast, I created a ranch-inspired breadstuff salad with the best flavor combinations - creamy, tangy, sweet and fresh. — Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

Quick Nicoise Salad

21 grams of protein per serving Like the classic French salad Nicoise, I pack my salad with veggies, potatoes, tuna and eggs. Cooking the potatoes and beans together helps build it fast. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri

Thai-Way Cobb Salad

23 grams of protein per serving This veggie salad is like a mix of Cobb salad and my favorite summer rolls. If you lot have leftover chicken, toss it in. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Grilled Wiggle Shrimp Orzo Salad

25 grams of protein per serving The rut, seasonings and advent of this colorful main-dish salad are perfect for summer—or any time of year that you want to summon memories of sunshine. —Eileen Budnyk, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Almond Chicken Salad

25 grams of protein per serving My mother used to prepare this chicken salad with grapes and almonds for an evening meal during the hot summer months. Information technology's my favorite of my mother's chicken salad recipes. Yous can also serve it every bit a delicious simply quick luncheon or potluck dish. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas

Raspberry Pecan Craven Salad

29 grams of poly peptide per serving I gave this sweet-savory chicken salad a little zip with Chinese five-spice powder, which tastes a chip like pumpkin pie spice. Sprinkle some on roasted carrots for an awesome meal. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Blackened Pork Caesar Salad

36 grams of protein per serving When I melt, the goal is to have enough leftovers for lunch the next twenty-four hours. This Caesar with pork has fantastic flavour even when the meat is chilled. —Penny Hedges, Dewdney, British Columbia

Asian Barbecue Chicken Slaw

27 grams of protein per serving When it'south springtime in the Southward, cabbage is plentiful and nosotros use it. One of our favorite recipes is this combo of Asian slaw and barbecued chicken. Plus, it's piece of cake to halve or double the servings as needed. —Paula Todora, Maple Valley, Washington

Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

24 grams of protein per serving We dear adding grilled craven to our salads in the summertime, just the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. It goes neat with a fresh baguette and a frosty drinking glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine

Like shooting fish in a barrel Basis Beef Taco Salad

25 grams of poly peptide per serving Every time I accept to bring a dish to a party, friends ask for my taco salad. Even players on my son's football game squad ask for information technology. —Lori Buntrock, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Northwest Salmon Salad

25 grams of poly peptide per serving I love that I can use my favorite Northwest ingredients—fresh salmon, blueberries and hazelnuts—all in 1 recipe. The salmon and sour foam dressing are just as scrumptious in a sandwich. —Davis Clevenger, Dexter, Oregon

Swiss Cobb Salad

28 grams of protein per serving Topped with ham, roast beefiness, salary and other fixings, this hearty salad has an excellent blend of flavors. A from-scratch vinaigrette adds the refreshing final bear on. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Turkey Ramen Noodle Salad

21 grams of protein per serving My husband and I make this awesome salad together—he does the chopping. When we bring it to potlucks, we pack the ramen and almonds separately and toss them in right before it's time to dish up. They stay nice and crunchy that manner. —Kristen Pallant, Large Arm, Montana

Cool & Crunchy Craven Salad

22 grams of protein per serving When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool craven salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine

Grilled Southwestern Steak Salad

30 grams of poly peptide per serving Pasta salad loaded with steak, peppers and onions makes both my swain and me happy. Plus, it's versatile! We serve information technology hot, room temperature or cold. —Yvonne Starlin, Westmoreland, Tennessee

Curried Chicken & Peach Salad

24 grams of protein per serving This is a very healthy and unproblematic salad to make; even my non-cooking husband tin whip it together in minutes. We've served this to friends over the years, and they always ask for the recipe. —Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida

Shrimp & Nectarine Salad

23 grams of protein per serving For a cool salad on a hot summertime mean solar day, I combine shrimp, corn, tomatoes and nectarines with a drizzle of tarragon dressing. We love it chilled, but information technology's delectable served right away, besides. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York

Bacon Chicken Chopped Salad

35 grams of poly peptide per serving Here's i of many reasons we love tomato flavor. Chopped salads are so simple and such a fantastic way to eat fresh. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Steak & New Potato Toss

31 grams of poly peptide per serving I usually utilise leftover barbecued steak to make this fabulous main dish salad. It'southward pretty, too, with the red pepper, green broccoli and white potatoes. —Deyanne Davies, Rossland, British Columbia

Sesame Chicken Slaw Salad

25 grams of protein per serving I tasted many types of Asian chicken salad in California. When I moved back to Georgia, I wanted more. Here's a gingery-sweetness recipe using wonton strips. —Michelle Mulrain, Evans, Georgia

Turkey Almond Salad

25 grams of protein per serving Our congregation was holding a luncheon at which I was helping, and nosotros were supposed to use turkey left over from the church's Thanksgiving supper. Everyone liked this and then much that—at another church building luncheon—nosotros cooked a turkey for the specific purpose of making my salad. —Donna Rear, Olds, Alberta

Chicken Tostada Salad

25 grams of protein per serving If I don't have any tostada shells on mitt for this speedy salad, I just oestrus taco shells, break them in half and lay them flat on the plates. Information technology works but besides. Great Southwest flavour! —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Gingered Spaghetti Salad

26 grams of protein per serving We love this chilled chicken salad brimming with colorful veggies. Brand it meatless by omitting the craven and tossing in more edamame. —Cindy Heinbaugh, Aurora, Colorado

Bound Chicken and Pea Salad

23 grams of protein per serving My endive, radicchio and chicken salad with a dash of mint jelly dressing makes a wonderful meal for a dejeuner or light dinner. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Grilled Pork Noodle Salad

27 grams of poly peptide per serving The only circuitous thing near this easy salad is the flavor! With smoky barbecued pork and a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables, this is a comforting and tasty home-cooked meal. —Rosalyn Nguyen, Astoria, New York

Orange Craven Spinach Salad

34 grams of protein per serving For a salad with refreshing color and crisis, we toss chicken and spinach with mandarin oranges and red onion, so splash everything with a tangy vinaigrette. —Jean Murawski, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan

Salmon & Spinach Salad with Avocado

23 grams of poly peptide per serving We swallow a power salad packed with salmon and spinach at least one time a week. Information technology'due south a cinch to brand, even after a hard solar day's work. —Jenny Dawson, Addicted du Lac, Wisconsin

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/tips-tricks-keep-lettuce-fresh/