How long does Lettuce last?
In the fridge: 5 days
Lettuce is among the most perishable produce — 7–10 days for whole heads of romaine or iceberg, 3–5 days for tender leaves (butterhead, baby greens, spring mix) once washed. Pre-bagged salad mixes deteriorate fastest, often slimy by day 5. Whole heads outlast pre-cut by a week. Lettuce doesn't freeze (cell walls collapse, texture turns to mush). Wilted lettuce can sometimes be revived with a 30-minute ice-water soak; slimy or smelly lettuce is past saving.
How to store it
- Crisper drawer with high humidity
- Whole heads wrapped in a dry towel in perforated bag
- Don't wash until ready to eat
- Reseal bagged salads tightly
- Tear leaves rather than cut to slow browning
Signs it has gone bad
- Slimy or wet leaves
- Dark brown or black patches
- Sour or rotten smell
- Wilted beyond recovery — limp and dark
Signs it has gone bad
How long does lettuce last in the fridge?
Whole heads of romaine or iceberg last 7–10 days; tender leaves and bagged salads 3–5 days.
Can you revive wilted lettuce?
Yes — soak the leaves in ice water for 20–30 minutes. They re-crisp through osmosis. Doesn't work on slimy or rotten lettuce.
Can you freeze lettuce?
No — cell walls burst, texture turns to mush. Lettuce is meant to be fresh.