This is so simple.
Paper towels will absorb the excess moisture from lettuce and keep it fresh for longer (Image: Getty)
Spring’s set to kick off next month and as temperatures climb loads of us will be reaching for lighter grub – which usually means stocking up on lettuce for crisp salads. The trouble is, lettuce doesn’t hang about for long as it’s packed with water so if you’re not storing it right in the fridge it can turn slimy, mouldy and riddled with bacteria in just a matter of days.
Nicole, a cook and the brains behind Pinch My Salt, says plenty of people swerve salads simply because they can’t be fussed with storing them correctly. She explained: “If you’re willing to give up maybe 20 minutes, once a week or every two weeks, you can have a ready supply of crisp, fresh lettuce that is ready to throw in a bowl at a moment’s notice.”
A bag of lettuce ought to keep for a fortnight or even beyond, and storing it properly is genuinely straightforward – the key item you’ll need is some kitchen roll.
Why do you need paper towels to keep lettuce fresh?
Lettuce naturally tends to shed loads of water, and if you simply bung it in the fridge, that extra moisture will rapidly cause your leafy greens to go downhill, reports the Express. Fridges also happen to be fairly humid, which can spark bacterial growth on veg – that’s why you should always give them a rinse before cooking.
Kitchen roll will mop up any moisture from the lettuce or the fridge atmosphere, keeping the leaves as dry as can be so they stay fresh for far longer. It’s a budget-friendly trick to hold off spoilage and keep lettuce from turning mushy for a fortnight or more, meaning you can batch-prep wholesome salads for packed lunches without chucking cash down the drain.
How to rinse and store lettuce for maximum freshness
Start by dunking the lettuce in a bowl of cold water, giving it a gentle swish to shift any lurking bacteria. If your leaves are looking a bit limp, perk them up by leaving them submerged for half an hour. When the timer’s up, they should appear considerably revived.
Next, tip out the water and pop the lettuce into a salad spinner if you’ve got one handy. No spinner? No bother – simply dab the leaves dry with kitchen roll instead.
Once you’re confident everything’s bone dry, wrap some kitchen paper around the lettuce, then tuck it inside a decent-sized sandwich bag or food storage box.
Stick the lettuce in the fridge and it’ll stay vibrant and crunchy for weeks on end, letting you rustle up a salad or sarnie with minimal fuss.
