How to Crisp Lettuce

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Have you ever made a salad with lettuce that just seemed limp or wimpy? This wikiHow article tells you how to make your lettuce more crisp and refreshing with minimal time and effort. Crisper lettuce will make a whole salad seem more fresh and tasty.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-1.jpg\/aid55182-v4-728px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-2.jpg\/aid55182-v4-728px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [1]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-3.jpg\/aid55182-v4-728px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [2]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-4.jpg\/aid55182-v4-728px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [3]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-5.jpg\/aid55182-v4-728px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-6.jpg\/aid55182-v4-728px-Make-Lettuce-Extra-Crispy-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":484,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [4]
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Does soaking lettuce in ice water diminish its food value?
    Community Answer
    No. Soaking any lettuce in ice cold water for about 10 minutes shouldn't affect the nutrients, and will help crisp up wilted leaves.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
  • Question
    I have a pepper that's been sitting on the counter for a couple days and is a little wilted. I thought I had recalled something about using vinegar to somehow put life back in my vegetables, is this accurate?
    Community Answer
    Vinegar will help your vegetables to last a bit longer, but don't try it more than once, or your vegetables will have the vinegar taste.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 9
  • Question
    Does sugar water crisp lettuce?
    Community Answer
    Plain water will crisp lettuce pretty well, so there is no need for sugar.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 9
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Prepare the other ingredients for the salad while the lettuce is soaking. This way no time is wasted.
        Thanks
      • Prepare the lettuce completely before putting it in the ice water (i.e. wash it, separate it, tear it up, etc.). This way when the lettuce is finished soaking, you can dry it and put it in the salad immediately.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Wash your lettuce carefully and thoroughly. Watch out for dead bugs hanging out inside the lettuce--Nothing else will turn your guests off more.
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Lettuce
      • Large Bowl
      • 1 or 2 Trays of ice
      • Water
      • Salad Spinner (optional, but highly recommended)

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Wash Lettuce
      How to
      Shred Lettuce and Cabbage, Restaurant Style
      How to
      Keep Lettuce Fresh
      How to
      Store Fresh Lychees
      10 Ways to Keep Sliced Bananas from Turning Brown
      How to Stop Bananas from Turning Brown Too Quickly
      How to
      Preserve Mangoes
      How to
      Ferment Fruit
      How to
      Keep Sandwiches Fresh
      How to
      Seal Glass Jars
      How to
      Keep a Baguette Fresh
      How to Revive & Freshen Stale Bread
      How to Prevent Sugar Syrup from Forming Crystals (Plus, How to Fix It)
      Best Way to Store Tomatoes
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gttzb3kfFg0
      2. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/tips-tricks-keep-lettuce-fresh/
      3. ↑ https://www.americastestkitchen.com/cooksillustrated/how_tos/6648-unwilting-lettucee
      4. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/simple-lettuce-salad/
      5. https://www.eatbydate.com/how-to-crisp-lettuce/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 232,052 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Apr 11

        "I always eat crispy lettuce now!"
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement