How to keep salad fresh in 5 easy steps (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to keep salad fresh? ›

First, layer the bottom of the container with paper towels. They'll absorb moisture. Then, gently pack the leaves in the container and top with another paper towel before storing in the crisper drawer. Don't pack the leaves too tightly, or they won't have breathing room (that can invite rapid rot).

The biggest tip for keeping your salad prep fresh for a week is to store your toppings and dressing separately from your salad. Salads that stay fresh all week use separate containers for toppings and dressing to keep crunchy foods crunchy.

Best Salad Container Overall

The Rubbermaid Brilliance is one of the best salad containers right now. This 100% leakproof clear plastic, BPA-free container won't spill even if you drop it. It's airtight lid will keep greens fresh for days.

That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge. Removing the air does help prevent oxidation, which is what causes lettuce to turn brown but has nothing to do with lettuce staying crisp.

“There is definitely an effort to make that lettuce look appealing even if it's been out there for a few hours,” Newman says. It's not uncommon, he adds, for restaurants or grocery stores with salad bars to spray their raw produce with a sulfite preservative.

Place your salad greens in an airtight container.

The worst way to store your salad greens is to leave them in the opened bag that you bought them in. See the comparison below. If you don't have an airtight container handy, put your salad leaves in a ziplock bag with a paper towel to help extend their life.

Since kale is such a hearty green, it can last dressed in the fridge for days without wilting. Sweet, charred corn is partnered with a slew of ingredients for a salad that's just the right balance of smoky, spicy, tangy.

Dress half your salad with half your dressing the night before, and pack the other half of the salad and the dressing for lunch.

Giving greens a cozy absorbent bed will help them stay fresh and crisp. You can roll them loosely in a paper towel, or even slip a sheet of toweling right into the bag with them. If you want to make a more Earth-friendly choice, consider using a cotton tea towel instead. Seal the bag tightly with a chip clip.

Store your clean, dry salad in an airtight plastic container lined with paper towel. The paper towel will absorb any excess water, and the airtight container will keep the salad from wilting.

How to stop salad from going soggy in the fridge? ›

Put the salad or salad ingredients in a sealable, airtight container. This helps protect the fresh greens from moisture, humidity and being bashed around in your fridge. Put any ingredients in your container whole, as chopping them may accelerate decay.

I line the container with paper towels when storing, this absorbs any extra liquid. Before refrigerating, I put paper towels on top before putting the lid on. Make a big salad, portion out what you want and add salad dressing to individual plates.

Depending on the type of produce, lettuce can generally be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days when properly washed or prepared. While most varieties of lettuce can usually last between 7–10 days in the fridge, it's best to use freshly chopped or shredded lettuce quickly, within about 2–3 days.