How Long Does Lettuce Last?
A whole head of iceberg or romaine lasts 1–2 weeks in the fridge; tender leaf and butter lettuce last 3–7 days. Once cut or torn, use lettuce within 3–5 days. Lettuce does not freeze well.
Lettuce — whole, iceberg or romaine
shelf life- Whole, leaf or butter: 3–7 days in the fridge
- Cut: 3–5 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Lettuce is sold as tight heads (iceberg, romaine) or loose, tender leaves (green leaf, red leaf, butter). It is more than 90 percent water, so it keeps only as long as it stays cold and neither dries out nor sits wet. Dense heads protect their inner leaves and last about twice as long as loose-leaf types.
How to store lettuce
- Store heads unwashed in the crisper drawer, loosely wrapped in a plastic bag or the original sleeve, and wash leaves only right before eating.
- If you wash lettuce ahead, spin it completely dry and store it in a container lined with paper towels; leftover water is what turns leaves slimy.
- Keep lettuce away from apples, pears, bananas and tomatoes. The ethylene gas they give off causes rust-colored spots on the ribs, especially on iceberg.
- Do not push lettuce against the back wall of the fridge, where it can partially freeze and turn translucent and limp.
- Leave the core in and peel off leaves as needed; a head that is cut in half browns along every cut edge within a day or two.
How to tell if lettuce has gone bad
- Leaves that feel slimy or leave a wet, slippery film on your fingers, often starting at the bottom of the bag or head.
- Dark, mushy or water-soaked patches, as opposed to the dry pink or rust-brown ribs that are only cosmetic.
- A sour, rotten or swampy smell when you open the bag or pull the head apart.
- Wilting so advanced that the leaves have collapsed and gone translucent rather than just a little limp.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Lettuce shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole, iceberg or romaine | 1–2 weeks | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Whole, leaf or butter | 3–7 days | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Cut | 3–5 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Washed, chopped or torn leaves. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cutting. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
How long does romaine lettuce last in the fridge?
A whole head of romaine lasts 1–2 weeks in the crisper drawer when it is kept unwashed and loosely wrapped. Romaine hearts sold in a sealed bag are usually good for about a week after opening. Once you chop romaine, plan to use it within 3–5 days.
Is lettuce that has turned pink or brown on the ribs safe to eat?
Yes, pink or rust-colored ribs are safe; the color comes from oxidation and exposure to ethylene gas, not from bacteria. Trim the discolored parts if they bother you. Throw the lettuce away if the brown areas are also wet, slimy or smelly, because that is decay rather than simple discoloration.
Can you freeze lettuce?
Freezing is not recommended for lettuce you plan to eat raw. Ice crystals burst the water-filled cells, so thawed lettuce is limp and watery and cannot be used in a salad or sandwich. Frozen lettuce is only workable blended into smoothies or stirred into soups.
Can you revive wilted lettuce?
Usually, yes, if it is only limp. Soak the leaves in a bowl of ice water for 15–30 minutes and they will take water back up and crisp again. This fixes dehydration only. Lettuce that is slimy, smelly or dark and mushy is decaying and should be thrown out.
Does washing lettuce make it safe if there is a recall?
No. Rinsing removes dirt but does not reliably remove bacteria such as E. coli, which can cling to or get inside the leaves. If a lettuce product you bought is part of a recall, the FDA and CDC advise throwing it away rather than washing it.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagged Salad Opened |
3–5 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Spinach Fresh |
3–7 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Kale Fresh |
5–7 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Cabbage Whole |
1–2 weeks | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Celery Whole |
1–2 weeks | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Cucumbers Whole |
4–6 days | Not recommended | 1–3 days |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.