Storage
Wrapped in plastic film, the lettuce will keep for about a week in the fridge. If you remove the stalk beforehand, you can extend the shelf life even further. Outside the fridge, the lettuce will keep for a few days if stored in a cool place (12-15°C).

Make sure the lettuce can breathe. Do you put lettuce in a plastic bag yourself? If so, don't put the lettuce away in a closed plastic bag. You can store lettuce in an open plastic bag if necessary.

In a warm place, lettuce gets limp quickly. Never store lettuce next to fruit, as the gas ethylene (formerly known as ethylene) is released when fruit ripens. Ethylene causes brownish-red spots on the veins of lettuce, lettuce then spoils faster.

If (pre-cut) lettuce or in a mix with other lettuces is offered packed, check the best-before date. Store wrapped lettuce in original packaging in the refrigerator. This lettuce is packed under protective atmosphere*.

*Protection atmosphere: this means there are the same gases in packaging as in air, only in different proportions. This keeps products good for longer.

How do I know the lettuce is no longer good? The lettuce is mouldy or wilted. You can recognise this decay by smelling or looking.

Preparing
Remove unsightly leaves before use and wash the lettuce. Then cut the head first into quarters and then into strips.

Tip: Want to quickly remove the loose leaves from the head? Then bang the stalk on the edge of a worktop. Then twist the stonk out, now the leaves come off easily.

Storage times

Refrigerator: 7 days
Cool place: 2-3 days

Preparation times

None, lettuce is usually eaten raw.

Should you wish to prepare it anyway, you can use these preparation times:
Cooking: 3 - 5 minutes
Stir-fry: 2 - 3 minutes
Microwave oven: 2 - 3 minutes
Grilling: 3 - 5 minutes
Braising: approx. 6 minutes
Steaming: approx. 6 minutes

Cleaning iceberg lettuce

See preparing.