How To Remove All The Dirt From Your Lettuce

While I can appreciate a bag of crisp, chopped lettuce because all the hard work of thoroughly washing it has been done for me, sometimes I just can't justify paying nearly double the price of a regular head of iceberg lettuce or a bunch of greens. Plus, with bagged greens I'm probably getting half the amount of product than I would if I were to buy something in its whole form. 

For these reasons, I've set aside any resentment toward the time-consuming task of removing all the dirt from my lettuce by washing it thoroughly. There are a few methodologies you can employ to ensure you too have an abundance of clean, crisp lettuce in your fridge just waiting to be tossed into a salad. And, hey, you never know when you'll be inspired to build a BLT with a satisfying crunch (and a few cool cucumbers).

First and foremost, when purchasing your greens, ensure that you select lettuce heads that are firm to the touch. The leaves should be intact; not wilted or spotted. Starting with fresh-looking lettuce helps extend its life after cleaning, but knowing how to store lettuce so it lasts longer matters, too. Settling for anything less means you're bound to have flimsy, bad-tasting greens after going through the trouble of washing. For a head of lettuce, start by peeling off the outermost leaves and discarding them. These leaves are often slightly wilted or damaged, but they also tend to be the most exposed to dirt and pesticides. For loose-leaf lettuce or romaine, separate all the leafy layers until you reach the core.

Once you've removed the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce, cut it in half or quarters to expose any dirt trapped between the layers. For the quickest cleaning method, place sectioned lettuce or any loose leaves in a strainer. Gently rub each section or individual leaf under cool, running water using your hands to remove any lodged dirt particles. 

If you want to be thorough, fill a large bowl with cold or room-temperature water and add white or apple cider vinegar. (For every four cups of water, add one cup of vinegar.) The acid in the vinegar naturally removes bacteria and pesticide residue. Submerge your leaves in the vinegar mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure thorough cleaning. Then, rinse the lettuce under cool, running water to remove any loose dirt or vinegar taste.

It's crucial to make sure your lettuce is mostly dry before storing. Extra moisture can create mold, as well as leaving you with less-than-crispy leaves. I swear by a gadget like the OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner to remove extra water, but you can also pat each leaf dry with a clean kitchen towel. The washed and dried lettuce can be wrapped in a clean kitchen towel and stored in a sealed bag with the air removed, or in an airtight container in the fridge. Stocking up on clean, crisp, and fresh-tasting lettuce at a fraction of the cost of the bagged version will "leaf" you wanting more!