How to Store Lettuce to Last a month! This easy tip shows you how to wrap your lettuce in aluminum foil to keep it fresh in the refrigerator. The lettuce stays so crisp after a month I can even use it for salads! 
How do you keep lettuce fresh in the refrigerator?
Lettuce only lasting a few days? Never again! With this easy method using aluminum foil you can store lettuce to last for a month!
In June we pick lettuce. We pick lots of lettuce. I’m talking so much lettuce you begin to get lettuce anxiety. Have you ever had it? It’s when you dream of lettuce chasing you with baskets to capture you. It’s rough.
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And nothing makes me more angry (ok, maybe littering) than wasting our garden vegetables. If a vegetable goes bad, I fall into a puddle of tears on the kitchen floor. This method works for romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, bibb lettuce and more!
This trick works so well, it keeps our lettuce fresh for 1 month (!) after we pick it. You’ll be amazed by how well it works too!
Step by Step Directions on How to Store Lettuce
So how do you make your lettuce last weeks? Easy. There’s only one step and you only need one tool.
- Take a big piece of aluminum foil, preferably the extra long version, but if you can’t do that, then just use 2 pieces of aluminum foil to cover the entire head of lettuce. Wrap it tight and make sure it’s completely covered. Now put it in your fridge.
- Whenever you need some lettuce, take it out and use a piece, then wrap it up. Here’s a lettuce head that’s been wrapped in aluminum foil for a month!
That’s it! Easy, right? Even after weeks of picking our lettuce, I can still enjoy it in tacos or a salad. That makes this lettuce growing girl pretty happy!
How to Wash Lettuce
I get asked often when and how I wash lettuce so I thought I would share it here. With this method, do not wash your lettuce before wrapping it aluminum foil. Moisture is our enemy. Instead, wash the lettuce after you remove it from aluminum foil. I prefer washing ours with our salad spinner. I use a salad spinner to wash all our vegetables – from greens, beans, broccoli and more, so it was worth it!
Hope you enjoyed this quick and easy lettuce trick! Now you know how to keep lettuce fresh!
Recipes That Use Lettuce
Creamy Pasta with Cauliflower and Lettuce
Lettuce Soup
Simple Pea Pasta
Chopped Mexican Chicken Salad
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Broccoli Leaves Vegetable Broth
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How to Store Lettuce
PrintIngredients
- 1 head lettuce
Instructions
- Take a big piece of aluminum foil, preferably the extra long version, but if you can't do that, then just use 2 pieces of aluminum foil to cover the entire head of lettuce. Wrap it tight and make sure it's completely covered. Now put it in your fridge.
- Whenever you need some lettuce, take it out and use a piece, then wrap it up.
sandra says
I put lettuce in glass jars with lids on them. I keeps for quite some time as well. I put herbs in the jars as well. I’ve know people to keep perishable veggies in stainless steel bowls with a plate over top and it will keep for awhile although I’m not sure if it keeps for a month like the aluminum foil method. Just FYI from me too.
Deana says
I’m trying this, I get so tired of throwing out lettuce.
Carol says
It works with celery, carrots and asparagus. I will definitely try this hint, especially since I have some beautiful lettuce growing now.
Ruth Ymker says
Great idea,,have tried it with celery but never with lettuce..Trust me,I will be trying it tomorrow..
Dinah Hudson says
I love Iceberg lettuce. I peel the outer leaves and put in composted. I put a wet paper towel under the head and a wet paper towel over the top and put in a large Ziplock bad and refrigerate. Stays fresh and crisp . Never throw any out. ?
Gayle says
I have always heard that aluminum is bad for your health,does this still hold true?
Rebecca says
Does this work on cut lettuce? I just started growing lettuce this year and the mix is all that grew…can you share your favorite types to grow with me? Your lettuce looks amazing!
Pamela says
Hey Rebecca, check this link on how I keep cut lettuce: https://brooklynfarmgirl.com/2016/07/18/how-to-keep-lettuce-and-peas-fresh-with-paper-towels/ – this works great!
Anna says
Hi Pamela, about this question… is there a reason the cut lettuce leaves of any sort won’t work with the foil method? I’m curious if you have tried it and found the results were not so great. Also, have you ever tried other leafy greens using this method, like rocket or swiss chard? Thanks for all of your insights 🙂
Pamela says
Hey Anna, for individual leaves I recommend storing in paper towels, here’s more info on that: https://brooklynfarmgirl.com/2016/07/18/how-to-keep-lettuce-and-peas-fresh-with-paper-towels/. Other leafy greens would work the same way. Enjoy!
maggie says
can this work on head lettuce?
Pamela says
I think it would work great for head lettuce too!
Paulina says
Yes it does!
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
This is freakin amazing. Sharing on all my social media right now.
Brilliant, thanks lady! x
Susan says
I heard of this as a way to prolong the life of celery in the frig but didn’t know it worked for lettuce too! I will definitely try it!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
YOU JUST SAVED MY LIFE!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Really….I just stared at those huge beautiful lettuce for the longest time. What a great tip. Will this work for cilantro, mint and others?
I’m gonna try it for sure.
thanks hun.
xx
Pamela says
I haven’t tried cilantro or mint, usually if mine is close to going bad I dry it for dried herbs, but now I’m going to try it for cilantro! 🙂
[email protected] Creekside Cook says
I agree that it’s an amazing trick – works great with celery too. I also like to use my Food Saver and store it in quart canning jars – it might even keep longer than in foil!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
wow how cool! I must try this trick.
Emanuele @ guyslovecooking says
I am going to try this tonight!! If this works I am going to send you a check! That would save me tons of cash, but most importantly I don’t eat to have lettuce salad for 4 days in a row anymore fearing the lettuce bought will go off. Tanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
The more you know…I learned something today! Going home to wrap up my lettuce. 🙂
grace says
what beautiful lettuce! i’m jealous. i’ve never heard of this storage method (or of lettuce soup) so i’m very glad i visited today! 🙂
Sues says
An entire month?? This is a dream come true!!
Norma Chang says
Thanks for the tip and thanks to your father-in-law also for sharing the tip with you. Have you tried it with other vegetables like radicchio, napa …?
Pamela says
So far I’ve tried lettuce, bok choy and celery and they all worked out good.
Norma Chang says
Good to know, thanks.
Malia @ Small Town Girl says
Ok I am trying this! That is crazy!! Pinned!
Cassie says
Amazing little hack! It looks just as good as new after you took it out!
Mary Frances says
Wow, I can’t believe I never heard of this before! Now there’s no reason not to buy lots of fresh lettuce!
Monica says
Great tip, Pamela – thank you! I had to waste and with a small family, there always seems to be bits of things left. This is very useful.
Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies says
Um, that’s fantastic. I’m a lettuce fanatic and it’s a constant struggle between buying enough to feed me lettuce for a week vs having that much lettuce instantly go bad on day 2. Life changer!
Dee @ The Kitchen Snob says
Interesting! Do you know what makes it work? I’ll have to try it!
Pamela says
I like to consider it magic! But Google tells me “it keeps the air out and moisture in, but still allows the ethylene gas to escape (as opposed to plastic bags, which trap it in), slowing the ripening process and keeping the veggie fresh for up to a few weeks.”
Margaret says
Hi. Do you wash the lettuce first?
Pamela says
Hey Margaret, no, don’t wash it first – that will prevent it from lasting. Instead wash it before eating.
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
That is amazing! I’d heard of doing this for celery and I gave it a try. I was shocked that it actually worked. Can’t wait to give this a try for lettuce also! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Pamela says
Yes! Works great for celery too!
Jessie says
I have never heard of this trick! What a great idea! I, too, weep when I see a forgotten lettuce head turned to sludge, so this trick will come in handy 🙂 Love the head-sized lettuce picture!
kristina says
whaaaat such a good life-hack. definitely trying this
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