Lettuce is a staple in a summer kitchen, no matter if you are making a fresh salad or putting on top of a juicy burger. However, it can be frustrating when it starts to wilt or turn soggy before you can use it.
Not many people realise that lettuce has a protective skin, like many other fruits or vegetables, so it is more susceptible to spoilage if you just simply toss it in the fridge. If lettuce is unwashed and uncovered it can dry out, and wilt, but due to its high water content it is also more likely to become slimy or even mouldy if you do not store it properly. However, Laura Fuentes, a food expert and the author of five cookbooks, says it takes just a few minutes to keep lettuce fresh – and all you need is give it a wash and then store it with a paper towel.
How to stop salads and lettuce going soggy in the fridge
Laura said: “By spending about 10 minutes prepping one head of lettuce ahead of time, it can now be conveniently available to you when you need it.
“You’ll use a vinegar & water mixture in a salad spinner to mix and spin in order to wash the lettuce. After spinning, let it soak and then rinse thoroughly.”
It might sound strange to wash vegetables before you need to use them, but lettuce leaves can be covered in bacteria and dirt, which can speed up mould growth.
The white vinegar you for salad dressings contains acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties that will kill harmful bacteria to help keep lettuce fresh for much longer.
All you need to do is pour one part white vinegar and thee parts cold water into a bowl, and then soak your salad leaves for roughly three minutes.
Make sure to only leave your lettuce leaves for less than five minutes. They will be completely washed in just a few minutes and any longer than risk them having a vinegary taste.
Then, use a salad spinner to dry the lettuce, but do not worry if you do not have one as you can also spread the leaves on a clean tea towel and pat them dry.
It is incredibly important to make sure the lettuce is completely dry before you store it in the fridge as any moisture will make it spoil and shorten its shelf life.
Laura said: “Lay the lettuce leaves out on a clean dish towel until completely dry then store in a zip bag with a paper towel in the fridge.”
Once the lettuce is dry store it in a lidded container with a paper towel, as it will soak up any of the excess moisture from the salad leaves.
Lettuce contains a lot of water, which it readily releases so storing it with a paper towel will keep it fresh for up to 10 to 14 days.
