Wondering if you can freeze lettuce? Here’s whether this leafy green can hold up to long-term storage.
Do you have a lot of extra lettuce and don’t know what to do with it? Stored in the fridge, this leafy green stays fresh for about 1 week. If you have leftovers, you might consider tossing this leafy green in the freezer. Is this a good idea? This is what you should know.
Can lettuce be frozen?
Lettuce does not freeze well. Freezing causes ice crystals to form and destroy cell walls. Lettuce is made of 95% water, so it destroys
Frozen lettuce destroys its crisp texture, and once thawed, the texture becomes wilted and slimy. This is because the water in the lettuce expands when it freezes and changes its structure. While you can easily freeze other vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, the change in texture with lettuce is so extreme that freezing it is not recommended.
How long does lettuce last refrigerated?
On average, lettuce lasts about 1 week in the refrigerator. However, this varies depending on whether it’s a head or a bag of lettuce, the variety, and how fresh it was when you bought it. Do you want lettuce to last longer in the fridge? Here are some tricks:
- Wrap the heads of lettuce in aluminum foil, then place them in the crisper. Stored this way, romaine lettuce hearts can last 3-4 weeks. Other types of head lettuce vary.
- Place a paper towel in a box or plastic bag. of lettuce, then refrigerate. The paper towel absorbs moisture, extending the life of the greens. (Change the paper towel every few days as it gets wet.)
lettuce recipes
The best way to use lettuce before it goes bad? Eat it in recipes! Here are some tasty lettuce recipes to try:
