I Asked 6 Experts the Best Way To Store Salad Greens—They All Said the Same Thing

Spring is here! And with it, at least for me personally, comes a salad revival. With fresh, crispy, and bright lettuces flooding farmers' market tables and grocery shelves, I’m stocking up on leaves. With bunches of lettuce and loose greens comes the need for proper storage, and because I haven’t nailed down the perfect storing method for my greens, I reached out to some of my most trusted chefs to see how they stow their own greens.

The Salad-Loving Chefs I Asked

• Amy Goodson: Registered dietitian, board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, and author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook
• Marissa Stevens: Cook, writer, and photographer/videographer behind Pinch and Swirl
• Ann Ziata: Chef at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus
• Melanie Marcus, MA, RD: Chef, dietitian, and Nutrition, Wellness and Communications Manager for Dole Food Company
• Kyle Taylor: Chef and founder of He Cooks
• Sally Cameron: Professionally-trained chef and certified health coach at A Food Centric Life

The Chef-Approved Method for Storing Salad Greens

“The best way to store salad greens is what I call the ‘paper towel method’," says Stevens, and the other five chefs agree. Ziata breaks down the method: “Wash and dry the leaves completely. Then, store them in the refrigerator in a container lined with dry paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Keep some space in the container to allow airflow.” Goodson adds, “Layer the leaves lightly and use additional paper towels if needed.” 

The key here is light layering. “Greens tightly wrapped in paper towels without airflow will not have enough room to breathe,” warns Ziata, “therefore, they will wilt more quickly.” Furthermore, Taylor suggests, “Change the paper towel every few days,” adding, “You can also revive slightly wilted greens by soaking them in ice-cold water before drying and storing again.”

The key elements of this storage method include ample drying of the leaves before storage, lining the bottom of the airtight container with paper towels, and allowing enough room for airflow on top and around the leaves.

Should You Wash Greens Before Storing?

When it comes to washing, says Marcus, you can absolutely “wait to wash until you are ready to use, as moisture could cause the greens to spoil more quickly. If you do pre-wash, dry thoroughly before storing.” And, with pre-washing, says Cameron, “Make sure to spin them dry in a salad spinner to get most of the ‘wet’ off.”

Goodson explains why this method works best: “Because moisture is the main culprit in causing greens to wilt and spoil quickly. The paper towels absorb excess moisture while the sealed container prevents exposure to excess air, which can dry out or degrade the leaves.” Stevens wholeheartedly agrees, adding, “I've tried those fancy produce containers that promise the moon, but this simple method beats them hands down.”

As a reminder, says Cameron, “Remember sturdier greens (like romaine and butter lettuce) last longer. The softer or more fragile the greens, the faster they need to be used up as they can degrade more quickly.”