Learn how to wash lettuce, so it stays fresh all week long with two simple ingredients from your kitchen!
This easy method doesn’t require fancy solutions, sprays, or a salad spinner -although you can use one if you have it.
Do You Really Need to Wash Lettuce?
Whether your head of lettuce is from the grocery store, farmer’s market, or garden, dirt and bacteria often get trapped between the leaves. Washing it will help eliminate foodborne illnesses and keep the leaves green and crisp longer.
What You’ll Need
To wash lettuce correctly, you’ll need a knife, salad spinner or large bowl, water, and white vinegar.
Water to Vinegar Ratio for Washing Lettuce
For every half gallon (8 cups) of water, you’ll add ½ cup of vinegar; it’s about 1:16. This ratio ensures the lettuce will be properly cleaned without tasting vinegary.
How to Wash Lettuce with a Salad Spinner
Here’s the step-by-step for washing lettuce in a salad spinner:
- Cut the head of lettuce in half.
- Separate the leaves into clusters and place them inside the salad spinner.
- Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the bowl and add enough water to cover the lettuce leaves.
- Swish the lettuce around, and let it soak for a few minutes.
- Lift the basket containing the lettuce from the salad spinner, and drain the water from the bowl. Fill it up with water again to rinse and drain.
- Place the lid on the salad spinner and push the lever to begin the spinning out process for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Transfer the mostly dry lettuce to a clean kitchen towel and let it air dry.
- Store it in a paper towel-lined zip bag for up to a week.
You can also watch this step-by-step process in the video below:
Washing Lettuce Without a Salad Spinner
Don’t have a salad spinner? No problem. Here’s how to wash lettuce with a large bowl:
- Cut the head of lettuce in half.
- Separate the leaves from the base and place them in the large bowl.
- Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the bowl and add enough water to cover the lettuce leaves.
- Swish the lettuce around and let it soak for a few minutes.
- Drain the water and rinse each lettuce leaf.
- Shake any excess water by hand, transfer the lettuce leaves to a clean kitchen towel, and let it air dry.
- Store it in a paper towel-lined container for up to a week.
Why Do You Wash Lettuce with Vinegar
According to USDA.gov, using vinegar mixed with water to wash lettuce helps reduce bacterial contamination.
And don’t worry about a vinegary aftertaste; there is none! Instead, the vinegar wash helps the lettuce stay nice and crisp for all your salads, lettuce cups, and wraps.
How to Store Washed Lettuce to Keep it Fresh
Properly storing lettuce is another way to keep it fresh and crisp all week long. You’ll want to place the washed and dried lettuce in a paper-towel-lined zip bag (gallon or quart size) or a fresh-produce storage container. Squeeze out all the air, seal, and refrigerate.
Ways to Use Freshly Washed Lettuce
Time to put your fresh lettuce to use with one of these mouthwatering recipes below. Whether you are in the mood for a salad you can hold or enjoy from a bowl, I’ve got what you need.
- Honey Chicken Lettuce Cups
- BLT Lettuce Wraps
- Antipasto Salad
- Sausage & Peppers Salad
- Chicken Caprese Salad
How to Wash Lettuce to Keep it Fresh
Ingredients
- 1 head lettuce
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Water
Instructions
- On a cutting board, cut the head of lettuce in half with a sharp knife.
- Separate the leaves “or cups” and place them into the salad spinner bowl.
- Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the bowl and add enough water to cover the lettuce.
- Use your hands to gently swish the lettuce around and let it soak for 3 minutes.
- Drain the water and rinse the lettuce with cold water.
- Place the lid on the salad spinner and give it a few whirls or until the excess water is drained out of the lettuce.
- Transfer the lettuce to a clean kitchen towel and allow it to air dry.
- Store it in a paper-towel-lined zip bag for up to a week.
Pamela
How do you clean your grocery store grapes?
Laura Fuentes
Yes, I wash them well with either a vegetable wash or soak them in 1 cup white vinegar and water. Then rinse them well.
Abi Dickson
No longer struggling to keep my lettuce crispy and fresh after trying this!