Proper storage for fresh lettuce

  • I bought a beautiful bunch of green leaf lettuce Sunday. Monday it was still nice and fresh. When I got it out of the crisper for lunch yesterday, most of the outer leaves had frozen! It wasn't very wet when I put it away Monday, but there was enough moisture to make the leaves freeze. I have a humidity control on my crisper with 'high' and 'low' settings...but I dont know which one to use. 'High' has all of the air holes on the crisper closed and 'low' has them all open. I had it on 'low' and changed it to 'high' yesterday.

    What is the proper way to store lettuce? Am I supposed to wash and spin the entire head before storing? Do I need to wrap it in something? I can't afford to keep throwing food away because I don't know what I'm doing! Any suggestions will be appreciated!

    Thanks!
  • I wash and spin it dry before I store it and it really makes a difference. I also line the storage bag/container with paper towels for good measure.

    I use special storage bags sometimes, and it helps it last much, much longer. http://www.evertfresh.com/
  • I wash and store my lettuce and greens in my salad spinner. I just drain the excess water out of the bown and put the spin basket/collander thing back in and put the lid on it. Keeps greens longer than anything else I've tried.
  • Thanks ladies. I have to buy a new bunch today and will take the time to wash and dry it before I put it away. I'm gonna try to find the baggies and try them.
  • I think it sometimes depends on how fresh the lettuce is to begin with. I wash, spin and wrap in a damp paper towel and put in a baggie only loosely sealed. Sometimes the lettuce lasts ten days, sometimes 3 days. I have to think that it is some difference in the lettuce, not my methods.