The Best Way to Keep Your Lettuce Crisp Fill up the sink (or a very large bowl) with cold water and submerge the leaves. Gently swish the leaves around in the water. Any grit will sink to the bottom of the sink. Remove the clean lettuce, or empty the bowl and repeat this step for especially dirty lettuce.
The easiest (and most effective) way to do this is to line a sturdy glass or plastic container with a few paper towels, then scatter your greens on top. Top with a matching lid and refrigerate. There should be some room in the container for the air to circulate, and the paper towels will absorb any excess moisture.
Do I Need to Wash Lettuce? Yes, it's important to wash all fresh produce, but especially leafy greens and lettuce. Harmful bacteria from the soil can contaminate fruits and vegetables and lead to a foodborne illness if consumed.
Fill a large bowl with cold water. Remove any damaged outer leaves and use a chef's knife to trim off the stem end of the lettuce, if present. Separate the leaves, drop them into the bowl of water, and using clean hands, swirl them around the bowl to dislodge any dirt or sand.
In general iceberg doesn't contain much dirt, but iceberg are grown directly on the ground and may contain some dirt that you need to wash off before you can use it in your food. Using this guide it only takes about 2 minutes to wash and cut an entire iceberg.
Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture, in order to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.
Will soaking wilted lettuce in ice water and vinegar crisp it up more quickly than just soaking it in water? Lettuce wilts because it loses water, so the key to reviving it is to put the water back in. We've had success simply soaking the wilted leaves in ice water for 30 minutes.
Washing Method: Clean Sink
For this method, fill a clean sink with cold water, then add a colander with greens to the basin. Then agitate, rest, agitate again, and then rest before pulling up the colander to allow the excess water and dirt to drain out.
The Rule is: Lettuce is washed in cold Water!
Pluck lettuce and wash it quite quickly in cold water, change the water several times if it is very dirty. The process should be completed in a maximum of 10 minutes.
Wash the leaves in the water.
Leave the lettuce in the water for a minute or two to let any dirt or sand settle to the bottom, then lift the leaves out of the water and put into a colander to drain. If the lettuce is still gritty, change the water and wash it again.
How to Store Lettuce In Water to Keep it Fresh. According to the video, just grab your lettuce (make sure to wash it well first!) and place it in a container or jar that has a lid. Fill to the top with cool water, cover, and keep in the fridge. Switch out the water with fresh water every couple of days.
Place the Produce in Ice Water.
Then, put the container with the vegetables in the fridge to keep the water cool. Let the food soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Heartier produce, such as root vegetables, may need longer, or up to one hour.
Loose leaf lettuce can last seven to ten days when properly stored, but head lettuce lasts much longer than that. Left intact and unwashed, head lettuce will last one to three weeks in the fridge. In comparison to other leafy greens, though, lettuce reigns as the long shelf life champion.
During certain parts of the year when the lettuce has taken a long time to grow, a food grade nitrogen is added to the bags upon sealing. This slows the respiration and maintains the freshness, and is referred to as a modified atmosphere, not an ingredient.
Place a clean dish towel or paper towels over a rimmed baking sheet (or just right on your table). Spread the leaves over the towel and let them air dry for about half an hour or or so. That's it. If they're extra wet, you can blot them a bit with another towel before leaving them to air dry.
In addition to cleaning lettuce, you may want to consider adding a couple tablespoons of salt to the water to help eliminate any possible bacteria that may be present. Do not use bleach.
You know the hard white core at the base of romaine or iceberg lettuce? You don't need that and the lettuce will actually last a lot longer without it. Lop it off with a knife or just pound it against a cutting board firmly and twist it off by hand.
Vegetables with a lot of nooks and crannies like cauliflower, broccoli, or lettuce should be soaked for 1 to 2 minutes in cold clean water. Avoid mixing with other products. After washing, dry with a clean paper towel. This can remove more bacteria.
Spin the greens dry or lay them out on a clean kitchen towel. Dry greens stay fresh longer and are easier to dress. Now your lettuces or greens are ready to be dressed and enjoyed.