Frugal Tip – How To Get Herbs And Lettuce To Last Longer

Today, I have a frugal tip for you: How To Get Fresh Herbs and Lettuce to Last Longer. I hate throwing away wilted and rotting produce that I haven't had a chance to use yet.

I hate throwing away wilted and rotting produce that I haven't had a chance to use yet. It's such a waste of money and usually means another trip to the grocery store to replace them so that I can make dinner. As my kids would say, “Aint nobody got time for that”!

This process only takes a few extra minutes when you bring your groceries home and will help you keep fresh herbs and lettuce to last between 2-3 weeks!

First, I highly recommend a salad spinner. One of the things that will make your lettuce and herbs go bad quickly is excess moisture. This OXO Salad Spinner does an excellent job of removing excess water. It runs about $30 but it is well made and will last for years and years!

I wash my lettuce or herbs (cilantro) under running water. I can use the basket of the salad spinner as a colander.

Next, spin the greens a time or two until all of the excess water is in the bowl portion of the salad spinner.

Third, put the greens into an airtight, zip top bag. Fold up a couple of paper towels and slide into the bag. The paper towels will help absorb any additional moisture and keep the lettuce or herbs nice and dry. Zip up the top, getting out as much air as possible. (I have been known to zip up the bag most of the way and then loosely put my lips around the open section and take a big breath in, to suck out as much air as possible. Don't laugh, it works!)

Then, just stick it in the fridge to keep it nice and cold. Mine will usually last 2 weeks and often a little more. Of course, the exact amount of time the greens will stay good for depends on how fresh it was when you purchased it, how good you were at getting the water off and getting the air out of the bag and the temperature of your fridge.

Try it! Not only do I love that it saves money but I love to be able to put out a bag of salad greens or fresh herbs and know that they are already washed and prepped and ready to use!