I freely admit I am very dependent on bagged lettuce. What is it about washing and cutting fresh lettuce that seems so darn time-consuming? I'd rather go without salad than wash and cut some, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. So I buy a lot of bagged lettuce — and, as a result, I often waste a lot.
Why does it seem like bagged lettuce goes bad in under 24 hours after you open it? Is it one big trick on consumers, or are we just not being smart about our lettuce consumption? It turns out there’s an easy hack that many Redditors use to keep that bagged lettuce fresher, longer.
In a thread on r/YouShouldKnow, Redditor u/N3ver_Stop suggests putting a paper towel sheet in the package to increase its shelf life. Lettuce bags don’t seem to last very long because moisture can build up, but the paper towel absorbs some of that extra moisture. Be sure to change the paper towel daily to keep lettuce crisp.
"This totally works! I will usually get a bag of romaine hearts, and after a chop and a run through the salad spinner, I layer them in a tupperware with paper towels. Lasts a couple weeks," says u/ipcklechick84.
@cjo313 Placing a paper towel in your bag of lettuce will keep your lettuce crisp and last longer by pulling out the moisture. #lifehack #fyp #foryoupage #standardpractice #healthyliving #recipes ♬ Ultimate life hacks - Kelly - The Life Bath
This particular paper towel trick is the easiest and fastest way to preserve lettuce, but you can go another route. Layer the bottom of a plastic storage container with paper towels, then place the leaves inside it and cover with another paper towel. Make sure not to squish the lettuce too much, as that may cause lettuce to rot faster.
Additionally, think about buying "heartier" lettuces that stay fresher longer. Arugula, baby spinach, and baby kale all tend to outlast butter lettuces, as an example.
Who knew that something so simple can save so much salad — and, ultimately, so much money?
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