How To Tell If Lettuce Has Gone Bad - WikiHow

Home » How To Tell If Lettuce Is Bad » How To Tell If Lettuce Has Gone Bad - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur

Last Updated: June 28, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Identifying Decaying Lettuce
    • |
  • Storing Lettuce Properly
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Tips
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 282,200 times.

Anyone who has ever bought lettuce, whether its full heads or pre-cut leaves, knows how quickly it can turn to sludge in your refrigerator. Fortunately, detecting rotten lettuce is easy. The telltale brown spots, drooping leaves, and acrid odor are a few clues. Throw away any rotting leaves as soon as possible to avoid spoiling the rest of your batch of lettuce. Store the rest of your lettuce leaves properly in the refrigerator so you can preserve them for longer.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Identifying Decaying Lettuce

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Look for brown or black leaves that indicate rotting. 1 Look for brown or black leaves that indicate rotting.[1] Discolorations are very recognizable when they appear. Normal lettuce is typically a light-green or yellow color, although varieties such as Red Coral have purple leaves. When the dark spots appear on multiple leaves in place of these colors, your lettuce is on its way out. Discolored lettuce often feels slimy and smells bad as well.[2]
    • Small brown spots usually aren’t harmful if you eat them. You can also cut around them if the rest of the lettuce leaf is still healthy.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad 2 Throw out lettuce with a strong, rancid smell. Fresh lettuce has little to no smell. You may be able to detect an earthy scent from the soil the lettuce grew in. Lettuce that smells pungent is rotting. The rotten smell will be very unpleasant, so it is easy to detect.[3]
    • The smell will be so off-putting that you won’t want to eat the lettuce anyway, but it is often accompanied by discoloration and slime on the leaves.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad 3 Check the leaves for signs of wilting. Fresh lettuce is firm and crisp. As lettuce ages, it becomes soft, droopy, and wrinkled.[4] You can spot these changes by eye or by touching the leaves. These leaves may not yet feel wet, but the lettuce is still near spoiling when it begins to wilt.[5]
    • Lettuce wilts right before it begins to turn brown. You will have to discard it or find a use for it right away.
    • Wilted lettuce is safe to eat if it hasn’t begun rotting. You can try soaking it in ice water for up to 30 minutes, which may restore its crispness.[6]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad 4 Touch the leaves to see if they feel wet. In case your leaves aren’t noticeably rotten, be aware of their texture. You may be able to see moisture on the leaves as well as feel it. A sticky or slippery substance forms on the leaves as they begin to degrade, indicating softness and rot.
    • Although wet leaves may still be safe to eat, they won’t taste very good. The leaves become soft as they wilt.
  5. Step 5 Throw away bags of lettuce that look swollen or moist. 5 Throw away bags of lettuce that look swollen or moist. You won’t be able to smell or touch the lettuce until you open the bag, but you may still see some signs of spoilage. The bag will puff up as moisture escapes the leaves. You may see beads of water collecting on the inside of the bag.
    • Moisture creates the perfect growing spot for bacteria and mold, so don’t eat the lettuce.
    • You may be able to see brown spots in a spoiled bag of lettuce. You can also try opening the bag. The lettuce will have that nasty, rotten smell if it has gone bad.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad 6 Taste the lettuce to see if it is sour. Find a piece of lettuce that looks safe to eat and nibble on it. You are most likely familiar with the inoffensive, watery taste of fresh lettuce. Spoiled lettuce will taste the same way rotten lettuce smells. It will have a very strong, rancid, sour taste that will make you want to spit it out.
    • Avoid eating the lettuce if it is sour. Throw it away immediately.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Storing Lettuce Properly

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Store full heads of lettuce without cutting them. 1 Store full heads of lettuce without cutting them. Full heads of lettuce tend to last longer than individual leaves. You don’t need to do anything special to store them. Leave them intact and place them in a cool, dry spot in your refrigerator. Heads of lettuce last around 10 days when stored this way.
    • A vegetable crisper is a great place to store heads of lettuce, but not all refrigerators have this drawer.
    • You can also wrap the lettuce in paper towels to absorb damaging moisture.
    • Keep lettuce away from ethylene-producing fruit such as bananas and tomatoes.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad 2 Place loose leaves in a paper-lined plastic storage container. Place 2 or 3 layers of paper towels in a resealable plastic container. If you don’t have a container, you can also use plastic sandwich bags. Set the leaves on top of the paper towels, then cover them with more paper towels. The paper towels absorb moisture, keeping the lettuce crisper for longer.[7]
    • Seal the storage container when you are done. This will help keep out harmful moisture and gas. However, unsealed lettuce will still survive well in a crisper.
    • You may want to do this for pre-cut lettuce in a bag as well. Moisture can’t escape the closed bag, so the lettuce may rot faster than you would like.
  3. Step 3 Store the lettuce in a cool, dry spot in your refrigerator. 3 Store the lettuce in a cool, dry spot in your refrigerator. Keep the area well-ventilated so that moisture drains from the lettuce. A vegetable crisper drawer is the best spot. If this isn’t possible, stick the lettuce on the front end of a shelf away from ethylene-producing fruits like bananas and tomatoes. Lettuce leaves usually last up to 5 days but may last longer if stored properly.[8]
    • Be careful when storing lettuce in the back of the refrigerator. Not only does this make forgetting about the lettuce easier, but the cold from the freezer can damage the lettuce.
    • You can also move the container of lettuce to the freezer. Since lettuce has a lot of water in it, it won’t stay crisp, but you can still use it for cooking.
  4. Step 4 Replace the paper towels daily if you use them to store lettuce. 4 Replace the paper towels daily if you use them to store lettuce. The paper towels will get damp as they collect moisture from the lettuce. You can replace them when you notice them getting damp, but to be safe, replace them every day. You may be able to keep your lettuce fresher for longer this way.[9]
    • While changing out the paper towels, take the time to pick out any wilted or decaying leaves so they don’t spoil the rest of the batch.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad 5 Wash lettuce right before using it. Rinse lettuce off by filling your sink with cold water, then swishing the lettuce around in it by hand for a few minutes. This should remove any dirt still on the lettuce. Try to wash only as much lettuce as you need so that the rest of the lettuce doesn’t have excess moisture lingering on it.[10]
    • Moisture causes lettuce to soften and decay, so you want to avoid it as much as possible.
    • You may rinse the lettuce off under running water, but lettuce is delicate and may bruise. Bruised or damaged leaves tend to decay faster.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad 6 Dry the lettuce completely before storing it. If you have leftover lettuce leaves, they need to be free of moisture before being put into storage. The easiest way to do this is to put the leaves in a salad spinner. Spin them until they are completely dry.
    • You can also pat the lettuce with a paper towel or roll it up in a towel to gently squeeze out the moisture.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement Did this article help you? Say thanks with a small tip. icon $1 $3 $5 Leave a Tip Support our mission to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything.

Video

Tips

  • If you have bagged lettuce and it has gone bad, you will start to see colored liquid form at the bottom of the bag.[11] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Lettuce put in the freezer will wilt due to its high water content. However, you can still use this lettuce for cooking and flavoring. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Full heads of lettuce generally keep longer than pre-cut leaves, but careful storage can lead to longer-lasting leaves. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Check if Vegetables Are SpoiledHow toCheck if Vegetables Are Spoiled Keep Lettuce FreshHow toKeep Lettuce Fresh Wash LettuceHow toWash Lettuce Tell if Spinach Is BadQuick and Easy Ways to Tell if Your Spinach Went Bad How toKeep Vegetables Fresh in the Fridge Signs Your Broccoli Has Gone Bad & How to Store It Safely How toTell if Eggplant Is Bad Tell if a Lemon Is Bad5 Signs a Lemon Has Gone Bad + Best Storage Tips Tell if a Watermelon Is BadHow Can You Tell If a Watermelon Is Bad? Key Signs to Look For Tell if an Onion Is Bad5 Signs an Onion Is Bad (Plus Onion Storage Tips & Shelf Life Info) Tell if a Cucumber Is BadHas Your Cucumber Gone Bad? Here’s What Signs to Look For Tell if Cantaloupe Is BadHow Can You Tell If a Cantaloupe Has Gone Bad? Tell if Carrots Are BadHow to Tell if Your Carrots Are Bad Tell if Pineapple Is BadTelling Signs a Pineapple Has Gone Bad Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ Jennifer Levasseur. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://yourcookingbuddy.com/how-to-tell-if-lettuce-is-bad/
  3. ↑ https://yourcookingbuddy.com/how-to-tell-if-lettuce-is-bad/
  4. ↑ Jennifer Levasseur. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://yourcookingbuddy.com/how-to-tell-if-lettuce-is-bad/
  6. ↑ https://www.americastestkitchen.com/cooksillustrated/how_tos/6648-unwilting-lettuce
  7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/we-tried-3-ways-to-store-salad-greens-and-heres-our-winner-tips-from-the-kitchn-211770
  8. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/how-store-lettuce
  9. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/how-store-lettuce
More References (2)
  1. ↑ https://www.eatright.org/food/home-food-safety/wash-and-separate-foods/washing-leafy-greens
  2. ↑ Jennifer Levasseur. Personal Chef. Expert Interview

About This Article

Jennifer Levasseur Co-authored by: Jennifer Levasseur Personal Chef This article was co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been viewed 282,200 times. 5 votes - 68% Co-authors: 10 Updated: June 28, 2025 Views: 282,200 Categories: Food Safety Article SummaryX

To tell if your lettuce has gone bad, look for brown or black spots on its leaves, which indicate that it ha started to decay. The leaves may also be slimy, soft, droopy, or wrinkled if they’ve gone bad. Fresh lettuce usually has little to no smell, so if it smells bad or pungent, it’s best to throw it out. Similarly, if your lettuce tastes sour or strange, it’s probably gone bad. For more tips, including how to store your lettuce properly to keep it fresh, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish German Indonesian Arabic Dutch Japanese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 282,200 times.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jennifer Levasseur Co-authored by: Jennifer Levasseur Personal Chef 5 votes - 68% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 10 Updated: June 28, 2025 Views: 282,200

Quizzes & Games

Is Your Egg Bad?Is Your Egg Bad?How Disgusting Am I QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake QuizAm I a Picky Eater QuizAm I a Picky Eater QuizTake QuizFunny or Cringe? (Brainrot Edition)Funny or Cringe? (Brainrot Edition)Take QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Check if Vegetables Are SpoiledHow toCheck if Vegetables Are SpoiledKeep Lettuce FreshHow toKeep Lettuce FreshWash LettuceHow toWash LettuceTell if Spinach Is BadQuick and Easy Ways to Tell if Your Spinach Went Bad

Trending Articles

Am I Good at Flirting QuizAm I Good at Flirting QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Many Secret Admirers Do I Have QuizHow Many Secret Admirers Do I Have QuizRank My Attractiveness QuizRank My Attractiveness Quiz5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your ShapeWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be Quiz

Watch Articles

Impress a Girl on a First DateHow toImpress a Girl on a First DateWhat Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?What Are Tear Burns on TikTok and What Causes Them?Wear a HoodieHow toWear a HoodieChiffonadeHow toChiffonadeMake a Fabric RoseHow toMake a Fabric RoseConfront a BullyHow toConfront a Bully

Trending Articles

210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-Blowing140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your Play140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your PlayThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanWhat 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanThe Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love YouThe Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love YouWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Emojis Mean Sex?

Quizzes & Games

Why Am I So Bloated QuizWhy Am I So Bloated QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizMemory TestMemory TestTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizDo I Smell Bad QuizDo I Smell Bad QuizTake QuizDo I Have a Dirty Sense of Humor QuizDo I Have a Dirty Sense of Humor QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Food and Entertaining
  • Food Safety
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --599

Tag » How To Tell If Lettuce Is Bad