How to Wash Lettuce
Cut off the lettuce root on leaf lettuce., Remove the core from iceberg lettuce., Fill a large bowl with cool water., Inspect whole heads., Let the dirt fall to the bottom of the bowl., Spin the lettuce., Roll the lettuce in a towel., Shake the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Cut off the lettuce root on leaf lettuce.
Use a knife or your hands to break the root off of the lettuce and cut off any wilted spots.
Separate the leaves of the lettuce with your hands.Be careful when using a knife so you don’t hurt yourself.
Make sure your fingers are away from the blade when you cut. -
Step 2: Remove the core from iceberg lettuce.
If you are using iceberg lettuce, use a paring knife to remove the core then break apart the leaves with your hands.
Keep in mind that some iceberg lettuce heads are very firm., Soak your lettuce in a large amount of cold water.
Move the water around by swirling the water vigorously.
If you got the lettuce from a farmer's market, it will probably be more dirty than from the store.If you are going to dry the lettuce with a spinner, wash the leaves in the bowl and colander that came with your spinner., If you are washing whole heads of lettuce, make sure to thoroughly inspect them.
Gently open the heads and check between the leaves for dirt.
Gently bend the leaves back and away from the core to allow water to get between the leaves.
Make sure to check the area where the leaves are attached to the stem.You can leave the lettuce heads together for grilling., Walk away from the leaves and let the dirt settle to the bottom of the bowl.
After about 10 minutes, take the greens out of the water.
Make sure not to go near the dirt at the bottom of the bowl.
Gently shake the excess water off of the leaves and lay them on a paper towel., The easiest way to dry lettuce is with a spinner.
Once the leaves are washed, take the colander, with the lettuce inside, out of the bowl.
Pour out any water from the bowl and put the colander back inside the bowl.
Put the lid on top of the bowl and turn the handle to spin the lettuce to dry out the leaves.Only dry separated leaves in a spinner, not whole heads., You can dry lettuce by rolling it in a towel.
Shake extra water off of the leaves and lay them in a single layer on a towel.
Start rolling the towel (starting at the end near you).
Lightly press against the green while you roll.
If you push too hard, you might bruise the leaves.
Unroll the towel and the lettuce should be dry., Drain the lettuce in a colander.
Cover the top of the colander with a towel (wrap it around the edges to keep it in place).
Shake the colander over the sink, in every direction.
When the leaves are dry, take them out., Put the wet lettuce leaves in the center of a towel or a clean pillowcase.
Bring all four corners together and twist the towel or pillowcase.
Gather the ends in one hand and swing the towel around several times.
You probably want to do this outside or in the bathroom because water might splatter., Lay any extra leaves on a paper towel.
Roll up the paper towel with the leaves inside.
Put the rolled up paper towel in a plastic bag and refrigerate it.
It should last for about five to six days. -
Step 3: Fill a large bowl with cool water.
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Step 4: Inspect whole heads.
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Step 5: Let the dirt fall to the bottom of the bowl.
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Step 6: Spin the lettuce.
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Step 7: Roll the lettuce in a towel.
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Step 8: Shake the lettuce.
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Step 9: Swing the lettuce in a towel.
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Step 10: Store the lettuce.
Detailed Guide
Use a knife or your hands to break the root off of the lettuce and cut off any wilted spots.
Separate the leaves of the lettuce with your hands.Be careful when using a knife so you don’t hurt yourself.
Make sure your fingers are away from the blade when you cut.
If you are using iceberg lettuce, use a paring knife to remove the core then break apart the leaves with your hands.
Keep in mind that some iceberg lettuce heads are very firm., Soak your lettuce in a large amount of cold water.
Move the water around by swirling the water vigorously.
If you got the lettuce from a farmer's market, it will probably be more dirty than from the store.If you are going to dry the lettuce with a spinner, wash the leaves in the bowl and colander that came with your spinner., If you are washing whole heads of lettuce, make sure to thoroughly inspect them.
Gently open the heads and check between the leaves for dirt.
Gently bend the leaves back and away from the core to allow water to get between the leaves.
Make sure to check the area where the leaves are attached to the stem.You can leave the lettuce heads together for grilling., Walk away from the leaves and let the dirt settle to the bottom of the bowl.
After about 10 minutes, take the greens out of the water.
Make sure not to go near the dirt at the bottom of the bowl.
Gently shake the excess water off of the leaves and lay them on a paper towel., The easiest way to dry lettuce is with a spinner.
Once the leaves are washed, take the colander, with the lettuce inside, out of the bowl.
Pour out any water from the bowl and put the colander back inside the bowl.
Put the lid on top of the bowl and turn the handle to spin the lettuce to dry out the leaves.Only dry separated leaves in a spinner, not whole heads., You can dry lettuce by rolling it in a towel.
Shake extra water off of the leaves and lay them in a single layer on a towel.
Start rolling the towel (starting at the end near you).
Lightly press against the green while you roll.
If you push too hard, you might bruise the leaves.
Unroll the towel and the lettuce should be dry., Drain the lettuce in a colander.
Cover the top of the colander with a towel (wrap it around the edges to keep it in place).
Shake the colander over the sink, in every direction.
When the leaves are dry, take them out., Put the wet lettuce leaves in the center of a towel or a clean pillowcase.
Bring all four corners together and twist the towel or pillowcase.
Gather the ends in one hand and swing the towel around several times.
You probably want to do this outside or in the bathroom because water might splatter., Lay any extra leaves on a paper towel.
Roll up the paper towel with the leaves inside.
Put the rolled up paper towel in a plastic bag and refrigerate it.
It should last for about five to six days.
About the Author
Megan Lane
Experienced content creator specializing in cooking guides and tutorials.
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