You can keep lettuce fresh for WEEKS using a £1 kitchen hack – and here’s why you must ditch the plastic wrapper
CALLING all salad fans – we’ve found a simple hack that will keep your lettuce fresh for longer.
Although the summer salad season may be over, if you’re a fan of lettuce and want to keep eating your greens, then you’ve come to the right place.
With this leafy green being the perfect addition to many dishes, including sandwiches and burgers, we’ve found a quick and easy trick that will keep it fresh for weeks – yes, you heard that correctly.
So if you’re fed up with buying an iceberg lettuce, only for it to go brown, soggy and mouldy before you’ve had a chance to use it all up, then this £2 kitchen tip is one you’ll need to try.
It turns out that whilst lettuce is one of the quickest veggies to go off, it’s all about how you store it if you want it to stay fresh.
A TikTok user and foodie fan named Zol took to social media to share her quick and easy trick to keep your lettuce fresh for longer, leaving many open-mouthed.
In a slideshow video, which was posted with the caption ‘This is one of the easiest ways to help your lettuce stay fresher for longer’, Zol claimed that wrapping your lettuce in a common kitchen item can make a huge difference.
If you have a whole lettuce, such as a little gem or iceberg, Zol suggested ditching its plastic bag.
Instead, she advised foodies to wrap and store the whole lettuce in tin foil before putting it in the fridge.
In her step-by-step guide, she explained: “Wash your lettuce, dry the lettuce using paper towels or a cloth, and remove the outer layer.
“Wrap the lettuce in foil and store it in the fridge.
“This will help your lettuce stay fresh for longer.”
This nifty trick works wonders for keeping lettuce fresh and if you fancy giving this trick a try, but have run out of foil, you can nab some for just £1 from Poundland.
You’ll also find it for only £1.40 from Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
What foods should you ALWAYS keep in the fridge?
THE 'King of Bread' Paul Hollywood has said you should never keep bread in the fridge. But what foods SHOULD you store in there?
According to EUFIC, The European Food Information Council, these are some of the main foods you should always ensure are kept in the fridge.
- Apples
- Berries
- Butter
- Cheese
- Eggs (boiled or unboiled)
- Fish (cooked or raw)
- Fresh herbs
- Lemons
- Meat (cooked or raw)
- Milk
- Oranges
- Pickles (if opened)
- Salad leaves
- Tomatoes
- Yoghurts
FOODIE FANS REACT
People watching Zol’s clip were gobsmacked by the hack, itching to test it out themselves.
One person said: “Thank you, will definitely try it!”
Hacks for Keeping Food Fresh in Your Fridge
IF you want your food to stay fresh, you'll need to try out this useful hacks...
- Herbs in Water: Store fresh herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water, then cover with a plastic bag to keep them fresh for weeks.
- Wrap Greens in Paper Towels: Wrap leafy greens in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. The towels absorb excess moisture, preventing wilting.
- Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables, and even leftovers in mason jars. They are airtight and keep food fresher for longer.
- Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle a bit of water on stale bread and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again.
- Baking Soda for Odours: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odours and keep food tasting fresh.
- Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves their flavour and makes them easy to use.
- Keep Cheese Fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe, preventing it from becoming slimy.
- Store Avocados with Onions: Place a cut avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulphur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh.
- Use Vinegar Wash for Berries: Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mould spores, extending their shelf life.
- Egg Freshness Test: To check if eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float.
Implement these clever hacks to maximise the freshness of your food and make the most of your groceries.
A second chimed in: “Wow, I will try this! Thank you.”
Meanwhile, at the same time, others were keen to share their tips and tricks to keep lettuce fresh.
One foodie advised: “Also try putting it in an airtight container. Will last the entire month.”
Whilst another recommended: “A paper towel on the bottom/top of the container works too!”