How To Store Shredded Lettuce – The Best Way

Salads are a vital element of a healthy diet. They are not only incredibly easy to prepare, however, but the lettuce used in their preparation also has numerous long-term health benefits.

But the process of keeping salads fresh is usually much easier said than done. This is due to the fact that as with other leafy and green vegetables they are prone to a shorter shelf life. 

This guide will help you figure out the best method of storing chopped lettuce.

How Long Will Lettuce Shredded Last?

The life span of your salad leaves will be affected by a variety of factors.

For instance, if you buy aged and wilted lettuce, the likelihood is that it will only last a couple of days.

So, you must make sure the lettuce you purchase is fresh as well as firm. It’s a fact that we cannot stress enough.It may sound a lot of work, but it’s certainly worth it to bite into crisp, fresh lettuce in your salad or bread roll filling.

If you’re lucky you will be able to store the lettuce in your refrigerator for a week at best. That's if you ensure that the food is cleaned, chopped, and refrigerated.

How To Store Shredded Lettuce To Stay Fresh

If you’d like to ensure that your lettuce is as fresh as it can be follow the steps below.

1. Wash It Thoroughly

Wash your lettuce thoroughly under cold, running water.  You don't want any leftover pesticide or dirt mixed in your salad. 

2. Dry The Lettuce

Either hand-dry with paper towels or spin-dry the lettuce. Leaving it damp will wilt it quicker. 

3. Shred, Chop, or Tear

Then chop, shred or tear the lettuce. This makes portioning much easier.  If you refrigerate an entire head of lettuce and it begins to rot, the rest of the lettuce is ruined and salvaging it is a challenge. Removing the leaves from the core and breaking them into smaller pieces will avoid this. 

4. Line Sealable Bags with Paper Towels

Put a couple of pieces of paper towel into a sealable bag and then put in the lettuces portions. This absorbs any water on the lettuce. It’s a simple technique that yields results, but many tend to overlook this procedure.

5. Put The Lettuce In The Sealable Bags

Don’t overstuff the bags. We suggest that you store the leaves according to portion size, expel the air and seal the bag well. 

6. Place In The Fridge

Before you place your lettuce bag in the refrigerator, make sure that the drawer is clean, and that all other vegetables that are in it are in good condition. Any odors or residue sticking to the drawer could get into the lettuce and contaminate it. 

Change the paper towels you put into the bags every few days or whenever they are moist. This will help extend the shelf quality of your shredded lettuce.

There you have it! Six easy steps to store your lettuce that has been shredded. Enjoy the fresh salad!