How Long Does Lettuce Last in the Fridge? – A Guide on Tips To Store Lettuce

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How Long Does Lettuce Last: Lettuce is a type of vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked. And this has been cultivated for many years, in many different cultures. Lettuce is also known as salad and mixed salad or greens. This lettuce is not only in green it comes in other colors too.

As everyone knows, every type of vegetable will last in the fridge, but many of them don’t know what to do to extend its shelf life or how long does lettuce last in the fridge, freezer, or at room temperature. Lettuce is the most common staple food in many houses.

As it is healthy, versatile, and can be used in a variety of dishes. In this comprehensive guide, we provide answers to all your questions, so that you can learn how to store the lettuce for a long we also provide you with some tips and tricks on how to store it for a long without going bad.

How long does lettuce last

What is Lettuce?

Lettuce is a type of green leaf vegetable but we can eat them only in raw salads. And in this lettuce, we have many types of like butterhead, iceberg, romaine, and loose leaf lettuce. Some people saute them at high temperatures and eat them along with pasta or rice dishes. Butterhead lettuce is best for wraps. Other than icebergs remaining three will be very crisp and those can be eaten in salads.

How Long Does Lettuce Last? – Shelf Life of Lettuce

Lettuce is very sensitive and will bruise very easily. So, you need to take care of them properly to extend their shelf life. Here we are going to look into the table to know the shelf life of different types of lettuce. Refrigerating is the best than storing it at room temperature.

Types Fridge Freezer
Head of romaine lettuce 10 – 20 days Not recommended
Head of iceberg lettuce 10 – 20 days Not recommended
Head of butterhead lettuce 5 – 10 days Not recommended
Leaves of loose-leaf lettuce, or any other types 5 – 10 days 6 months

 

Shelf life of lettuce

How Long Does Lettuce Last in the Fridge?

If you would like to know the life span of lettuce that last in the fridge, here it is, lettuce will last long in the fridge for upto one week. Even you can increase its shelf life, by following the proper storage guidelines. And when you are storing lettuce it always should be fresh and firm. As there are different types of lettuce, iceberg, romaine, and whole-head lettuce will store for 7-10 days in the fridge, but shredded lettuce will last only for 3-5 days.

The Head of lettuce can be stored for 3 weeks.

How Long Does Lettuce Last Unrefrigerated?

Shelf life of the lettuce if it is unrefrigerated will be only for one or two days. As it will not keep fresh in warm climates. The warmer the weather, the faster it will spoil. If it is summer, it will only last for a few hours if it is at room temperature in a cool dark, dry place it will last for two hours, if it is kept at 90 degrees F it will last for one hour. So, it is always better to store it in a refrigerator with good storage.

How Long Does Lettuce Last in the Freezer?

If you store the lettuce in the freezer, it can last for upto 6 months. And this frozen lettuce should be stored properly and can be used in stews, soups, and other recipes that can be cooked. You cannot eat frozen lettuce directly. Always store the leaves and head separately in the freezer. You can store lettuce in the freezer in the form of ice cubes.

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How To Pick A Good Lettuce To Extend Shelf Life?

If you are thinking to store the lettuce last longer, the important part will be choosing the best lettuce which is fresh and firm. Here we are going to provide you with some tips, on how to choose the best lettuce.

  • When you try to buy lettuce, check whether the head of lettuce is fresh or not, if the stem turns brown it is not a good one.
  • And also check the leaves that should be firm and healthy.
  • And if the lettuce in the store is kept beside the fruits, try to avoid it as the fruits will release the ripening gas.
  • Finally, as lettuce will go bad quickly, try to take the amount you need if the store is near to you.
  • If you are buying romaine lettuce, make sure that the leaves are tightly closed.

Can You Wash Lettuce Before Storing it?

No, when trying to store any type of vegetable we do not wash them. But also you can wash the lettuce under the running tap water by removing the waste leaves. So that lettuce will be fresh and bad leaves will go out, which helps your lettuce to store for longer. Once after washing it, wait until it dries and uses paper towels to make it dry, and then store it.

Spoilage Signs of Lettuce

As lettuce is harvested from the ground, it will only have a limited shelf life. Here we are going to look at the spoilage signs of lettuce so that you will know whether they are good to eat or not.

  • If you see that the lettuce has mold growth on it, then it is better to discard the lettuce.
  • If you get any bad odor, or if you see any discoloration then also it is time to discard it.
  • If you see any brown spots between the leaves and if they get torn even if you touch them, then it is not suitable for consumption.
  • If the leaves of the lettuce are soft and mushy then it is a sign that it has gone bad.

Tips To Store Lettuce in the Fridge

If you like to increase the shelf life of the lettuce, it is always better to store it in the refrigerator. And if you want to keep the lettuce fresh it should be stored in the fridge without humidity. Here we will look into some simple tips to follow on how to store lettuce to extend its shelf life.

  • To increase the shelf life of lettuce, and to store it for a long in the fridge, place the lettuce in a container or bag.
  • But the bag should be air-tight sealed, to avoid humidity in the bag or container, use paper towels.
  • Do not keep them along with the fruits as they have a gas that will help to turn the lettuce brown.
  • Always try to use them as soon as possible, by storing them for a long will make lettuce leaves will wilt a bit.
  • If you like to store the lettuce leaves, place them in a freezer bag and keep it in the freezer and add paper towels to reduce humidity.
  • Even if you kept in the refrigerator or in the freezer, try to keep the bag open on top.

Unknown Facts To Know About Lettuce

And now it is time to know some unknown facts about lettuce. Look into them below.

  • Lettuce is the symbol of fertility in ancient Egypt.
  • This lettuce is a member of the sunflower family.
  • Americans eat 30 pounds of lettuce every year.
  • Lettuce is a source of vitamin A, which will be good for the eyes.
  • Most of the lettuce that was sold in America is grown in California.

FAQs on How To Make Lettuce Last Longer

1. Can you freeze lettuce?

No, it is recommended not to freeze it as it will become soggy. Even if you like to store it in the freezer for using it in cooking dishes, not in salads you can freeze it by separating leaves from the head and storing it in a freezer-safe bag.

2. Can bad lettuce make you sick?

Yes, definitely bad lettuce will make you sick and shows the symptoms like diarrhea, bad stomach cramps, fever, and vomiting. These will not appear immediately after eating, but after 3 or 4 days you can see them.

3. Can you Vacuum seal lettuce?

Yes, you can seal the leaves of the lettuce with a vacuum seal and so that it can store for upto two weeks. And mostly, it will be good for chopped lettuce.

4. Does lettuce needs to be refrigerated?

Yes, it is always essential to store the lettuce in the refrigerator. But still, it depends on the way you cut, and type, and how quickly you are going to use it. If you are going to use it in a few minutes, no need to store it in the fridge.

In a Nutshell

From salads to burgers, lettuce will be the most nutrient-packed and well-loved vegetable around the world. Hope you have learned how long does lettuce last and how to store it properly. And also whenever you are in need of knowing it, this article will always be helpful like a quick guide. And also check out the article, for many interesting things about lettuce. Still, if you have any doubts comment to us in the comment section and bookmark our site for the latest updates.

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