Woman's 'secret' to keeping lettuce crisp and fresh for up to six weeks
Lettuce has a notoriously short shelf life, but one food storage expert has shared a simple trick to keep the leafy greens fresh and crisp for a matter of weeks
Binning soggy lettuce could soon be a distant memory. With the arrival of sunnier days, many are ditching the winter warmers for fresh, crunchy salads. Lettuce is the cornerstone of these salads, but its notoriously short lifespan often leads to waste unless you're munching on it daily.
Yet, a food storage guru has shared a nifty trick to extend your lettuce's life from mere days to several weeks. The key? Proper prep before refrigeration. Amy Cross, a savvy saver who imparts her wisdom on The Cross Legacy website, said: "It seems like when you buy a large amount of lettuce from the store, at least one of them is doomed to die (or at least start the process) before you get a chance to use it.
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"Often, those bad leaves tend to spread their love to other heads of lettuce as well, and then it's a race against the clock to eat that lettuce. Always a good time!"
To keep your lettuce perky for up to six weeks, Amy advises soaking the leaves in a mix of water and a splash of white vinegar to banish bacteria and grime.
She recommends snipping off the lettuce base, rinsing it under the tap, then dunking it in a bowl with water and about 60ml of vinegar.
To keep your lettuce fresh and crisp, first soak the leaves in a cleaning solution for about two minutes. Then rinse under running water to shake off any lingering dirt.
Since excess moisture can lead to quicker spoilage, ensure the lettuce is completely dry by either spinning it in a salad spinner or laying out on paper towels for a few hours.
Investing in a good salad spinner could be beneficial, and if you're looking for options, Amazon has a range, from a basic £8.99 model to the sturdier OXO version priced at £32.49.
IKEA also offers a budget-friendly salad spinner at a mere £5. The key to long-lasting lettuce is dry storage in a glass container – more temperature resistant than plastic and better for maintaining freshness.
At Amazon, you can snag a set of nine glass containers with airtight lids for approximately £25. Include a paper towel inside to absorb extra moisture, and your lettuce may stay fresh for up to six weeks.
Amy shared her experience, saying: "I was averaging six weeks with this container when I was testing it out.
"You can choose to put it in a ziplock bag with a piece of paper towel, but it won't last as long. It is worth the extra effort to know we have fresh lettuce anytime we want a salad."
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