How to Keep Bagged Salad Mix Fresh

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Bagged salad mix is a convenient way to add healthy vegetables to your daily diet. Unfortunately, even if you don't open it, bagged salad goes bad within just a few days. You can keep salad fresh with a few easy storage tricks. Whether or not you used the salad yet, always remove it from its original bag and dry the salad to prevent moisture from spoiling it. Then, store the salad in a sealable plastic container to prevent damage. Buy particularly durable types of salad vegetables for the longest storage life. With proper storage, bagged salad mix can last 7-10 days after opening.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Minimizing the Moisture Content

PDF download Download Article
  1. Salad bags don’t offer much protection for the salad, so remove the salad from the bag it came in. Pour all the salad into a large bowl and get rid of the bag. [1]
    • Re-sealing an old bag with a rubber band or clip isn’t an efficient way of storing salad, and it won’t last more than a few days like that.
    • Even if you haven’t opened the salad bag yet, taking it out of the package it came in and rewrapping it properly will make it last longer than leaving it in the bag.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Bagged Salad Mix Fresh
    Moisture speeds the rotting process on vegetables, so make sure the salad is completely dry before storing it. A quick way to dry it is pouring the salad into a spinner and whipping it dry. If you don’t have a spinner, then pour the salad onto paper towels and pat it dry. [2]
    • Do this even if you haven’t washed the salad. The plastic bags the salad comes in trap moisture inside, so the vegetables will always be a little wet.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Bagged Salad Mix Fresh
    Take any plastic container that has a sealable lid. Place paper towels on the bottom and sides of the container. These soak up excess moisture and keep the salad fresh for longer. [3]
    • Make sure the inside of the container is completely dry before putting the salad in.
    • You can also use a sealable plastic bag instead of a container. Line the bag with paper towels and pour the salad in. Remember that the bag won’t protect the salad from bruising, so it may not last as long as it will in a container.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Keep Bagged Salad Mix Fresh
    Pour the salad into the container and seal the top. Run your finger along the lid to make sure it’s sealed tightly. [4]
    • Make sure the salad isn’t squished inside the box. Pressing it down could damage the leaves. Use another container if you have a lot of salad.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Storing the Salad Properly

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is the official FDA guideline for food storage. Check your refrigerator to make sure it’s at the proper setting. If it’s too warm, readjust it to a lower temperature to provide the ideal conditions to keep salad fresh. [5]
    • Some refrigerators have a thermometer built in that you can see when you look inside. Others don’t have a thermometer, but just a selection of settings and the recommended storage settings noted.
  2. Crisper drawers are designed to trap or release gas and moisture that cause some produce to spoil. Since leafy greens are sensitive to ethylene gas, set your crisper drawer all the way to high humidity to let gases escape. [6]
    • You can store unopened salad bags or the plastic container in this drawer.
    • Store fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas on a low humidity setting to trap the gas. These include avocados, apples, melons, mangoes, kiwis, and pears.
  3. Stored properly, this is how long bagged salad can last after opening. Continue monitoring the salad for browning spots or wilting, indicating that it’s starting to go bad. When most of the leaves are wilting and discolored, then get rid of the salad. [7]
    • The exact storage time depends on if the leaves had any bruising before you stored them. Damaged leaves will decay faster.
    • Shredded lettuce may not last as long as whole leaves because it’s been damaged during the cutting process. Salad mixes with shredded lettuce may only last about 5 days.
    • This assumes the salad is plain and dry. Salad with dressing or bagged coleslaw won’t last longer than 3-5 days, even with proper storage.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Finding the Freshest Options

PDF download Download Article
  1. When you buy bagged salad, always look for the freshest package. Check the expiration date on each bag and find the one that’s expiring the latest. Buy this bag for the longest-lasting salad. [8]
    • Supermarkets usually put the freshest food in the back of the row to make sure the older food sells. Reach toward the back of the row for the fresher bags.
  2. Some salad comes in a plastic container, or clamshell, rather than a bag. This salad will usually last longer because bags offer no protection from bruising, and damaged leaves spoil faster. If you know you’ll be storing the salad for a few days, then salad mixes in a clamshell are a better option. [9]
    • You can also clean out the clamshells and reuse them to store bagged salad.
  3. Some salad mixtures last longer than others. Look for salad mixes with cabbage, arugula, spinach, and kale. These varieties last longer than most lettuce. Look for salad mixes with these bases for a longer-lasting mixture. [10]
    • Onions, carrots, and beets are also particularly durable. If you buy or make a salad mix, look for these ingredients as well. [11]
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      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!

      Things You'll Need

      • Paper towels
      • Plastic container
      • Salad spinner

      You Might Also Like

      10 Ways to Keep Sliced Bananas from Turning Brown
      How to
      Make Dried Orange Slices
      How to
      Store Pavlova
      How to
      Keep a Baguette Fresh with Proper Storage
      How to
      Stop Bananas from Turning Brown Too Quickly
      How to
      Prevent Sugar Syrup from Forming Crystals (Plus, How to Fix It)
      How Long Do Olives Last? (And How to Tell If They’ve Gone Bad)
      How to
      Seal Glass Jars
      How to
      Ferment Fruit
      How to
      Store Popcorn So It Lasts Longer
      Easy and Effective Ways to Keep Cut Pears Fresh and Avoid Browning
      How to
      Keep Brown Sugar Soft
      The Right Way to Refrigerate and Freeze Fresh Green Beans
      How to
      Keep Sandwiches Fresh
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/keep-bagged-salad-greens-fresh/
      2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/keep-bagged-salad-greens-fresh/
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/we-tried-3-ways-to-store-salad-greens-and-heres-our-winner-tips-from-the-kitchn-211770
      4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/we-tried-3-ways-to-store-salad-greens-and-heres-our-winner-tips-from-the-kitchn-211770
      5. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/media/110822/download
      6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/what-to-store-in-your-refrigerator-humidity-drawers-tips-from-the-kitchn-178094
      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.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/keeping-bagged-salad-fresh
      9. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/keeping-bagged-salad-fresh
      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/keeping-bagged-salad-fresh
      2. ↑ https://time.com/4217330/vegetable-guide/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 50,590 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement