How Long Does Lettuce Last?
By James OkaforReviewed 2026-01-01
Lettuce keeps 5–7 days in the crisper drawer, longer for sturdy romaine and iceberg. Wash and dry it only before eating — moisture speeds spoilage. Wilting is water loss: revive limp leaves in ice water. Slimy, brown, or sour-smelling lettuce is done.
Lettuce is the canary in the crisper drawer — it wilts before anything else, and it wilts fast. But the wilting is not random, and it's not usually the lettuce's fault. Wilting is moisture loss, and moisture loss is a storage problem you can fix in about thirty seconds.
How long lettuce lasts
| Storage method | Duration | Best practice |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge (crisper drawer) | 5–7 days | Bag or container that holds moisture |
| Fridge (sturdy varieties) | 10–12 days | Romaine and iceberg last longest |
| Counter | A few hours | Warmth and open air wilt quickly |
| Freezer | Not recommended | Turns to mush when thawed |
Storage conditions for lettuce
Lettuce wants three things: cold, humid, and breathable. The crisper drawer provides the cold and humidity; a plastic bag or a container with a damp paper towel provides the breathable moisture. The classic setup: wash and dry the lettuce, store it in a bag lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture, and keep the bag slightly open for airflow.
Wash lettuce only when you're about to use it. Bagged greens labeled "pre-washed" are already clean — washing them again adds surface water that speeds spoilage. And do not store lettuce next to ethylene emitters like apples and bananas; ethylene speeds the yellowing and softening of greens.
Storage tip
Keep a paper towel inside your lettuce bag and swap it when it's wet. The towel absorbs the condensation that makes leaves go slimy, and the greens stay crisp an extra few days for zero effort. ::
How to tell lettuce is past its prime
Wilted lettuce is recoverable; slimy lettuce is not. If leaves are limp, revive them in a bowl of ice water for 10–30 minutes, spin dry, and use right away. If leaves are slimy, yellowed, mushy, or give off a sour, fermented smell — or have brown spots that turn to rot — the lettuce is done. Bagged greens in particular spoil fast once they start, so check them daily.
Can you freeze lettuce?
No — not for eating fresh. Lettuce is so full of water that freezing ruptures its cell walls and turns it into mush. The only way to freeze it usefully is blanched for soups and stews, where the texture change doesn't matter. If you want frozen greens for smoothies and cooking, spinach and kale freeze far better than lettuce.
See the refrigerator storage guide for the full crisper system, and how to freeze vegetables for the greens that actually freeze well.
Frequently asked questions
How long does lettuce last in the fridge?
Lettuce keeps 5–7 days in the refrigerator, and up to 10–12 days for sturdy varieties like romaine and iceberg if stored properly. Leafy greens do best in the crisper drawer, in a bag or container that holds moisture without trapping excess. Wash and dry lettuce only when you're about to use it.
Why does lettuce wilt so fast?
Lettuce is mostly water, and it loses that water through its leaves the moment it's cut or stored loosely. Wilting is moisture loss. The fix is a humid environment with airflow: the crisper drawer, plus a plastic bag or damp paper towel to keep moisture in. Warmth and open air wilt it in hours.
Can you revive wilted lettuce?
Yes, if it's wilted rather than slimy. Soak limp leaves in ice water for 10–30 minutes, then spin dry — the cold water rehydrates the cell walls and restores crispness. This works once or twice; use revived lettuce right away. Slimy or brown lettuce cannot be revived.
Can lettuce be frozen?
Not for salads. Lettuce is high-water and freezing destroys its cell walls, turning it to mush when thawed. If you must use it, blanch it for soups — but the texture changes completely. For salads, eat fresh; for smoothies, consider spinach or kale, which freeze better.
How can you tell if lettuce has gone bad?
The warning signs are sliminess, brown or black spots, a sour or "fermented" smell, and a yellowed, mushy texture. A little wilting is fine — revive it in ice water. But slimy, brown, or smelly lettuce is past saving and goes in the compost, especially bagged greens, which spoil fast once they start.
Sources
Shelf-life and temperature claims on this page are cited from tier-1 food-safety authorities. Always confirm current guidance before relying on dated information.
Written by
Senior food storage writer
Writer covering food storage shelf life, storage methods, and kitchen organization.
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