How to Keep Lettuce Fresh from Your CSA Box (So It Lasts 10+ Days)
If you’ve just unpacked your WHF Market Box or a CSA share from your local farmer and found a beautiful head of lettuce, you’re probably wondering:
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How do I store farm-fresh lettuce so it doesn’t wilt?
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How long will lettuce last in the fridge?
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What’s the best way to keep lettuce crisp and ready to eat?
We’ve got answers—and a tried-and-true method that actually works.
🚫 The Worst Thing You Can Do with Fresh Lettuce?
Nothing.
That’s right. If you toss the bag of lettuce in the fridge and forget about it for a few days, you might come back to slimy, wilted leaves—and a lot of disappointment.
✅ The Best Way to Store Fresh Lettuce from Your CSA Box
The good news? With just a few simple steps, you can keep your lettuce fresh and crisp for up to 10 days—sometimes even longer!
Here’s our go-to technique, used by our own family every week at Willow Haven Farm.
🥗 Willow Haven’s Step-by-Step Method to Store Lettuce
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Remove lettuce from the bag and separate the leaves from the core.
Toss the core into your compost or give it to your chickens. -
Rinse all the leaves in a sink full of cool water.
This removes any soil or bugs from the farm field. -
Tear large leaves into bite-sized pieces.
No need to be perfect—this just makes salads easier later. -
Dry the leaves thoroughly.
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Use a salad spinner or
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Lay the wet leaves on a thick kitchen towel and gently roll them up to absorb moisture.
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Place the dry leaves in a large zip-top bag or storage container.
Add a clean paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture. -
Press out most of the air and seal.
Store in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
Bonus: Your lettuce will be washed, prepped, and ready to eat all week long.
🥬 How Long Will Lettuce Last in the Fridge?
If stored properly using this method, your lettuce can last 7 to 10 days—sometimes even longer, depending on the variety. The key is keeping the leaves dry but not dehydrated, and avoiding excess moisture.
🧪 Other Popular Methods to Store Lettuce
Looking for options that match your routine or storage supplies?
Here’s a helpful comparison of different storage methods:
Want a detailed breakdown? Check out this blog post that compares all three methods.
🌿 Final Tip: Do Something—Don’t Let It Go to Waste
The most important thing is to take action. Even just removing the lettuce from the original bag and repacking it with a paper towel will give you a much better shot at enjoying fresh greens all week.
Do what works for you, but do SOMETHING!
🌱 Taste the Difference: Farm-Fresh, Organic Lettuce
There’s just no comparison—once you’ve tasted lettuce straight from a local, organic farm, you won’t want to go back to store-bought. At Willow Haven Farm, we grow our greens with care, using sustainable, organic methods that nourish the soil and your health.
Our members tell us they’ve never loved lettuce more—because it’s vibrant, flavorful, and grown with your well-being in mind.
We harvest multiple varieties of lettuce and nutrient-packed greens all season long, and we even offer select greens throughout the winter.
Want to see what’s available now? Check out our current produce offerings here:
