If you have ever wondered how to keep shredded lettuce fresh and keep it from turning brown you are not alone. Preserving food and ensuring nothing goes to waste is an important part of my budget, especially lately. I have tried a few different ways to store shredded lettuce and here is what I discovered.
Hopefully, you will learn the best way to save unused shredded lettuce in the refrigerator. Cut down on waste & eat fresh with my guide! Great for meal planning or make my recipe for Vegan Italian Chopped Salad - it is the best!
I recommend my favorite products including one that I cannot live without (see below). It is a must-have kitchen tool for keeping fruits and vegetables fresh in the refrigerator. You need this product!
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Lettuces that Brown Easily
Leftover shredded or cut lettuce will turn brown if not stored properly. Lettuces such as iceberg, butterhead, and romaine will wilt & brown quickly. Keep this all in mind when cutting or shredding your lettuce.
I found that heartier lettuces with a more deep green color, such as spinach, green leaf/looseleaf, kale, or radicchio. There are dozens of types, including these 18 Types of Lettuce that are most commonly eaten here in the United States.
Top 3 Ways To Store Shredded Lettuce
I tried many different ways to store lettuce in the refrigerator. I found winners and losers.
I do not recommend storing it in the colander in your refrigerator. Also, do not store it wet & chopped in the plastic bag from the grocery store. Two bigger losing methods that many do - big No-No!
Here are the 3 best ways to store shredded lettuce in the refrigerator. So drumroll...
#3 Storing Lettuce in a Plastic Bag or Ziploc
This method takes the most steps. It also does not keep the food as fresh as the other storing methods do. However, it does not require any additional products or purchases. Typically you already have the items you need to do this.
- Layout enough paper towels (keep them attached) on your counter so that the shredded lettuce can be placed on it.
- Place dry shredded lettuce in an even layer no more than about ½- 1" in thickness. Be sure to not go all the way to the edges of the paper towels, leave the edges free of lettuce.
- Gently roll up the paper towel with the lettuce between the layered rolls.
- Place in a plastic bag or Ziploc - do not seal or close so that air can circulate.
- Place in the produce drawer of your refrigerator.
#2 Storing in Green Boxes
Shredded lettuce is loose and messy so getting it into a container will help store it. That is where the special containers, Green Boxes, come in.
They are economical, reduce waste, are reusable, and work great. These made in the USA storage containers are BPA-free & can be used on anything from bread to berries.
So easy to use - Place the lid on tight and store it in the fridge. Depending on the type of lettuce, it can last up to 7 days depending on the type of lettuce!
What about store-bought prepared salad mixes? BONUS - these boxes are the best for leftover prewashed salad mix.
#1 Storing in Green Bags
Similar to the second-best way to store lettuce longer, the #1 best way using a green product. Instead of green boxes, I prefer the Green Bags. These bags I cannot live without.
The reason I prefer them over the containers above is two-fold. I find that they actually store produce for a bit longer, up to 9 days for the heartiest types, than the containers do. Also, they take up less space in your kitchen cabinets for storage.
How to use green bags for storing shredded lettuce? It is a combination of the above two processes.
- Layout enough paper towels (keep them attached) on your counter.
- Place dry shredded lettuce in an even layer no more than about ½- 1" in thickness. Be sure to not go all the way to the edges of the paper towels, leave the edges free of lettuce.
- Gently roll up the paper towel with the lettuce between the layered rolls.
- Place in the Green Bag, tuck the end under & place in the fridge.
Best Products to Keep Lettuce Fresh
All of these kitchen gadgets and products are the best for helping keep cut lettuce as fresh as you can.
The green bags from Debbie Meyer are my absolute must-buy product. After probably 2 decades of use, these are honestly one of my favorite kitchen products. They are inexpensive and you can wash/dry them for multiple uses.
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How Long Does Lettuce Last
There are numerous factors as to how long lettuce will last in the refrigerator. Full heads of unwashed lettuce will last the longest, with some types up to 14 days.
How Long Will Lettuce Last in a Plastic Bag or Ziploc
Here is a quick cheat sheet to figure out how long you can store shredded lettuce in your refrigerator.
- Butterhead (Bibb/Boston) - 1-2 days
- Iceberg - 1 day
- Green Leaf Lettuce - 2 days
- Kale - 4-5 days
- Radicchio - 4-5 days
- Red Leaf Lettuce - 2-3 days
- Romaine - 1 day
- Spinach - 2-3 days
How Long Will Lettuce Last Stored in a Green Box
Here is a quick cheat sheet to figure out how long you can store shredded lettuce in your refrigerator.
- Butterhead (Bibb/Boston) - 3 days
- Iceberg - 2 days
- Green Leaf Lettuce - 3 days
- Kale - 5-7 days
- Radicchio - 5-7 days
- Red Leaf Lettuce - 3-4 days
- Romaine - 2 days
- Spinach - 3-4 days
How Long Will Lettuce Last Stored in Green Bags
Here is a quick cheat sheet to figure out how long you can store shredded lettuce in your refrigerator.
- Butterhead (Bibb/Boston) - 4 days
- Iceberg - 3 days
- Green Leaf Lettuce - 4 days
- Kale - 7-9 days
- Radicchio - 7-9 days
- Red Leaf Lettuce - 4-5 days
- Romaine - 3 days
- Spinach - 4-5 days
TOP TIP: Check the lettuce daily for spoilage. Keep in mind the edges of the lettuce may brown slightly as the air hits it, oxidation. All of these storage tips help keep the lettuce as fresh as possible for as long as possible.
** NOTE - all of these days are estimates. It will be based on many factors including the temperature of the refrigerator, the quality of the lettuce when starting, the proper storing/equipment used, and the care taken with the lettuce at all stages of prepping and storing.
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