Tear off … Iceberg, romaine, and other lettuce with a stiff core last longer when this core is removed. Step 5 Place the lettuce in a salad spinner to remove as much moisture as possible. Berkeley Wellness explains that lettuce leaves can turn brown when they have been bruised or cut because exposure to air triggers oxidation. Fill up the sink (or a very large bowl) with cold water and submerge the leaves. Store in a plastic container. It is extremely important to remove as much moisture as you can; this will keep the lettuce from turning brown after it has been cut. If you don't have a Tupperware lettuce keeper, place in a zip lock plastic bag and suck out all the air. Separate the leaves from the core with your hands and rinse them off well under cool water. Line a Ziploc bag with a couple sheets of paper towel before you store your lettuce in it. (I take out the old paper towel and replace it with new every couple of days, if it is wet.) These will absorb excess water but keep the lettuce in the moist conditions it prefers. Carefully fold and roll, and place in a plastic bag. Don’t Wash or Cut Head Lettuce Loose leaves can last seven to 10 days when properly stored, but head lettuce lasts much longer than that. I've got a head of lettuce in the fridge that is almost 21 days old and looks like I bought it yesterday. Above, I mentioned you should place your cut pieces into a collander or a salad spinner, and this is actually one of the most important steps if you want your lettuce to keep in the fridge. The Best Way to Keep Your Lettuce Crisp Trim off the end of the stem and separate the leaves. When preparing a head of lettuce, never use a metal knife. Now you're going to want to dry the lettuce. If you have opened your bag of lettuce or you shredded the lettuce yourself, place them in a container lined with paper towels. Lay out clean, dried leaves on paper towels. When stored, keep the lettuce away from high ethylene-producing fruits, including apples, pears and peaches. Place the leaves in a salad spinner and spin vigorously until they are dry. Wrap the lettuce in paper towels. I keep what I'm not taking in a ziplock bag in the veggie drawer in my fridge but by the end of the first week the lettuce is turning brown and wilty. ), don't mix. Select lettuce that looks fresh (not wilted), since it will taste better and last longer. Grab a few paper towels, and you’re ready for another easy trick that preserves lettuce for a long time. Scoop out the lettuce and drain for a couple of minutes. However, once the weather gets too hot the lettuce will start to bolt and … Wrap the lettuce in paper towels. Our readers chimed in on their favorite ways to keep lettuce fresh in this post. According to the University of California Statewide IPM Program, another cause of lettuce browning is tipburn, usually linked to rapid growth or soil water stress. Try wrapping it in paper towels like you would a head of lettuce. Romaine lettuce is a staple green in many diets, and for good reason! Incidentally, when dealing with a whole head of green lettuce such as Romaine or a leaf lettuce variety, you can actually store your leaves longer if you go ahead and cut or tear them away from the stem, and wash or dry them, making them ready for use. How to Grow Romaine Lettuce. Sandwich the head of lettuce — or loose leaves in single layers — between two soft, absorbent paper towels. Organic Romaine Lettuce: 0.81 lb @ $1.99/lb = $1.61. No one wants to have to pick through gross leaves or toss out a bag just a few days after purchase. Chop up your lettuce and put in the icy water for 15 minutes. Press out any air, seal tight, and store in the crisper drawer for a week to 10 days. Place the wrapped lettuce in a very cold section of the refrigerator, such as a vegetable drawer. Wrap the lettuce in a paper towel. Place the lettuce in a colander and allow the excess water to drain. Shake the lettuce to remove excess water, then pat the lettuce down with paper towel to thoroughly dry the lettuce. If the lettuce feels dry, dampen the paper towels. Tip burn, which causes leaf edges to curl and turn a dry brown, is caused by the plants' shallow roots drying out.