Anyone who has ever bought lettuce knows how quickly it can turn to mush in your refrigerator.Finding rotten lettuce is easy.There are brown spots, leaves that droop, and an odor.If you have any rotting leaves, throw them away as soon as possible.You can keep the rest of your lettuce in the fridge for longer.
Step 1: There are leaves that are brown or black.
When they appear, they are very recognizable.Red Coral has purple leaves, but normal lettuce is usually a light-green or yellow color.When dark spots appear on multiple leaves, your lettuce is on its way out.It feels bad to have colored lettuce.If you eat them, they are usually not harmful.If the rest of the lettuce leaf is healthy, you can cut around them.
Step 2: Throw out the lettuce with a strong smell.
There is little to no smell in fresh lettuce.You might be able to detect a scent from the soil.The smell of rotting lettuce is strong.It is easy to detect a rotten smell.The smell of the lettuce is so off-putting that you won't want to eat it anyways.
Step 3: The leaves may be showing signs of wear and tear.
Fresh lettuce is crisp and firm.As lettuce ages, it becomes soft and wrinkled.You can see the changes by looking at them.The leaves don't yet feel wet, but the lettuce is close to being spoiled.The lettuce begins to turn brown.You have to find a use for it or discard it.If the lettuce has not begun rotting, it is safe to eat.It can be soaked in ice water for up to 30 minutes.
Step 4: If they feel wet, touch them.
If your leaves are not rotten, be aware of their texture.You may be able to feel it on the leaves.A sticky substance forms on the leaves as they begin to degrade.It won't taste very good if you eat wet leaves.As the leaves fall, they become soft.
Step 5: The bags of lettuce look moist.
You will not be able to smell or touch the lettuce until you open the bag.As the leaves fall, the bag will fill up.There are beads of water in the bag.Don't eat the lettuce because it's a perfect place for mold andbacteria.There are brown spots in a bag of lettuce.You can open the bag.If the lettuce has gone bad, it will smell rotten.
Step 6: If the lettuce is sour, it's time to sample it.
You can find a piece of lettuce that is safe to eat.The taste of fresh lettuce is offensive and watery.The same way rotten lettuce smells, spoiled lettuce will taste the same.It will have a sour taste that will make you want to spit it out.If the lettuce is sour, don't eat it.Throw it away.
Step 7: Cut the heads of lettuce if you want to store them full.
Individual leaves tend to last less than full heads of lettuce.You don't have to do anything special to store them.Place them in a dry spot in the fridge.When stored this way, heads of lettuce last around 10 days.Not all refrigerators have a drawer for heads of lettuce.You can use paper towels to wrap the lettuce.It's a good idea to keep lettuce away from bananas and tomatoes.
Step 8: Put leaves in a plastic container.
A plastic container holds 2 or 3 layers of paper towels.You can use plastic sandwich bags if you don't have a container.Put the leaves on top of the paper towels.The paper towels keep the lettuce fresh.When you're done, seal the container.It will help keep out harmful gasses.In a crisper, the lettuce will still survive.It is possible to do this for pre-cut lettuce in a bag.The lettuce will rot faster if the bag is closed.
Step 9: You can store the lettuce in your refrigerator.
The area should be well-ventilated so that the lettuce doesn't get wet.The best place to store vegetables is a vegetable crisper drawer.If this isn't possible, stick the lettuce on the front end of the shelf.If stored properly, lettuce leaves can last up to 5 days.It's a good idea to store lettuce in the back of the refrigerator.The cold from the freezer can damage the lettuce, so forgetting about it is easier.The container of lettuce can be moved to the freezer.You can still cook with lettuce since it has a lot of water in it.
Step 10: If you use paper towels to store lettuce, replace them daily.
The paper towels collect water from the lettuce.To be safe, replace them every day, even if you notice them getting damp.You might be able to keep your lettuce fresh for longer.While changing out the paper towels, take the time to pick out any decaying leaves so they don't ruin the rest of the batches.
Step 11: It's a good idea to wash the lettuce before using it.
If you want to rinse lettuce off, fill your sink with cold water and hand wash it.The dirt should be removed from the lettuce.If you want the rest of the lettuce to not have excess water on it, try to wash it as little as you can.You want to avoid it as much as possible.Lettuce is delicate and may bruise if you rinse it off under running water.The leaves will decay faster if they are bruised or damaged.
Step 12: The lettuce needs to be dry before it is put away.
If you have leftover lettuce leaves, they need to be dry before being put into storage.You can put the leaves in a salad spinner.When they are completely dry, spin them.Roll the lettuce up in a towel to squeeze out the water.