Stashing lettuce in the fridge seems like a no-brainer, but without the right storage tricks – that green can wilt or get slimy fast due to its high moisture content.
Lettuce quickly goes off in the dry atmosphere of our fridges and is even speedier to spoil when stored next to certain veggies, such as tomatoes, avocados and bell peppers that emit ethylene gas – a natural ripening agent that can affect other produce around it.
This means lettuce dumped in the veg drawer could be bin-worthy in mere days when it’s meant to last a fortnight at least, says foodie expert Nicole Keshishian (@kalejunkie), a culinary expert and cookbook writer. She said: “Until I found this hack, my lettuce would always die within a few days.
“And, unless you are only eating salads for days on end, then you know how hard finishing a full head of lettuce can be.” But Nicole’s got the secret to long-lasting lettuce and tells us: “But, lucky for us, now we have this hack, which makes extending the life of your lettuce simple and easy (and, not to mention: also cost-effective and more sustainable!”
To keep that lettuce fresh, all you need is a paper towel (or fabric one), a knife and a ziplock bag.” Make sure your salad leaves are washed and thoroughly dried first.
Nicole has revealed a nifty trick to keep your lettuce crisp for weeks, and it’s as simple as wrapping the head of lettuce in a paper towel, placing it in an open ziplock bag, and popping it into the fridge. She explained: “The towel will ensure that the excess moisture from the lettuce is being absorbed so that it stays fresh for longer!”
This technique not only retains the lettuce’s moisture but also shields it from ethylene gas produced by nearby fruits or veggies, extending its freshness significantly.
Nicole enthused: “With this simple and easy kitchen hack, your lettuce will stay fresh for up to two plus weeks, making your days of limp lettuce a thing of the past!” She added: “The best part is, this hack works with all types of lettuce, making it a versatile hack to keep in your back pocket.”
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