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Question about keeping lettuce/veggies fresh

couponfun
couponfun Posts: 714 Member
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hi! Okay so I live up here in Buffalo so by the time I'm buying lettuce in the store it's already got some bits of brown edging to it. Buying a whole head of lettuce for just me is expensive and wasteful, and the salad bags finish turning brown in 2 days or so.

Are there any special containers/tricks to help with this? I tried one of those Ziploc green containers for strawberries once and it did not work at all.

TIA :flowerforyou:

Replies

  • Kelly_Wilson1990
    Kelly_Wilson1990 Posts: 3,245 Member
    I buy vegetable bags in the paper good isle of the store. Fruits and vegies last 3 time longer in these bags.
  • misssports
    misssports Posts: 4
    I found chopping up my lettuce, washing it and storing it in in the fridge in a ziplock freezer back helps it last a little while longer. Also, you tend to eat it more often because the prep-work is already done so less is being thrown out next grocery day!
  • misssports
    misssports Posts: 4
    I found chopping up my lettuce, washing it and storing it in in the fridge in a ziplock freezer back helps it last a little while longer. Also, you tend to eat it more often because the prep-work is already done so less is being thrown out next grocery day!
  • misssports
    misssports Posts: 4
    I found chopping up my lettuce, washing it and storing it in in the fridge in a ziplock freezer back helps it last a little while longer. Also, you tend to eat it more often because the prep-work is already done so less is being thrown out next grocery day!
  • speednut
    speednut Posts: 82
    I have a plastic knife I use to chop lettuce. It helps keep it from turning brown for some reason. I also have a big sald spinner bowl that is a bowl with a strainer inside to keep salad from sitting in the water/juice in the bottom. Seems to help with salad anyway.
  • misssports
    misssports Posts: 4
    wow. not sure why that posted three times! sorry!!
  • pelleld
    pelleld Posts: 363 Member
    I wash and spin the lettuce in a salad spinner so its all ready to go. If its on sale and I've bought a lot or it I store it in the green Debbie Myers bags, keeps it fresh forever! I use those bags for fruits and veggies too......they keep everything fresh so much longer.
  • susanofscottsdale
    susanofscottsdale Posts: 114
    In addion the other suggestions here, shop very carefully. Check the item and expiration dates - I have found that the range of dates on produce items in my local stores is routinely as much as five days (sometimes even more). Reach to the back, the bottom and review the items carefully before you buy them.


    And some varieties of produce are longer lasting than others. I find that roman remains fresher than icerberg lettuce, for example. And some varieties can be purchased with the roots on (like butter or artisian) - which helps keep them fresh. Try new things. Rather than lettuce, perhaps raw carrot sticks? Carrots, particularly when purchased with the top on last a long time in the fridge. Buying them peeled and you will sacrifice on the quality of taste, and how long they will stay fresh.

    Try other markets, some are much better at keeping produce inventory fresh than others. And, get into the habit of shopping more frequently.
  • susanofscottsdale
    susanofscottsdale Posts: 114
    wow. not sure why that posted three times! sorry!!
    you can delete your own posts to correct
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    the old restaurant trick is to use clorox bleach-- but NOT VERY MUCH!

    Typically, 1 or 2 drops to a whole sink full of water.
  • hello77kitty
    hello77kitty Posts: 260 Member
    Put a paper towel in the container/bag, it helps absorb moisture.
  • cutie2b
    cutie2b Posts: 194 Member
    I buy organic prepackaged salad. Once I open the container, I put a paper towel in it. It helps absorb some of the excess moisture and keeps it fresh longer - at least it seems like that to me. I do swap out paper towels when I get more. I read it in an article on how to keep veggies fresh, and I thought it was simple to try. Maybe that will work for you too.
  • couponfun
    couponfun Posts: 714 Member
    Thanks for all the great suggestions...though I'm not sure about the bleach thing...I'd be scared to put too much :laugh:
  • daydream58
    daydream58 Posts: 572 Member
    This was a constant problem for me until I switched to all Romaine lettuce. I also started putting a paper towel in my various vegetable bags and that has made a tremendous difference as well.
  • erica714
    erica714 Posts: 48 Member
    I have found that the "fridge smarts" made by tupperware work fantastic. You should be able to order them online. :smile:
This discussion has been closed.

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