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Salad kits and bagged salads are super convenient. How long do they last in the fridge? Here’s all the details!
One of my favorite time-savers is using pre-made salad! It’s more expensive than buying whole heads of lettuce and chopping everything yourself, but it’s a great way to bring me more peace. And with ADHD, peace matters a lot to me.
They come in all different types too, so I thankfully never get bored of salad.
Like all fresh produce though, these salads have a shelf life. How long do these bagged salads last in the fridge?
The short answer is, pre-made salads like this will last up to a week after bringing it home from the grocery store. Check the expiration date and follow it as closely as you can.
I go into more detail below on what these kits are made of, and how to best store them! The good news is, you should be able to use it all up before it goes bad.
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What does bagged salad consist of?
There are a couple different types of salad that come in bags. Here are the ones I use most often:
Bag of greens
These bags usually just have some kind of leafy greens. Maybe it’s Romaine lettuce, baby spinach, iceberg lettuce, or other fresh greens, but there’s nothing else added to it.
You would typically buy other salad ingredients to put into this bag of lettuce, like dressing, cheese, and other veggies.
Salad kits
A salad kit is a done-for-you salad. It has lettuce, as well as smaller bags filled with toppings and dressing, depending on the type of salad. All of the ingredients are kept separate to keep the salad fresh.
How long does a salad bag last?
Bags of salad, like shown above, are usually sold in a sealed bag. Unlike other types of whole-leaf lettuce, which can be bags with little holes in them for air circulation.
Because of the tightly-sealed bags, these bags of salad can last 3-5 days, give or take a couple. In my experience, an unopened bag of prewashed salad mix will last about a week. Check the expiration date, and do your best to use it right within that date.
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The small bags of toppings will last longer, depending on what they are. Salad dressings will definitely stay good for a month or so; and the croutons, bacon bits, etc., will last about as long too. Keep them in the fridge and not at room temperature for best results.
Can you keep it fresh longer?
If the salad is still sealed, that’s about the best way to keep it. If you’ve opened it, there are a few ways to give it a little extra life and avoid food waste:
- Place paper towels on the bottom of an airtight container or plastic bag, then put the lettuce on top. Seal and keep in the fridge. The dry paper towel helps remove any excess moisture.
- Keep the salad in a cold part of the fridge. The crisper drawer seems to be the best place.
I’ve also done the “fold the bag over and use a chip clip” method with the original packaging. It does help, but I’ve noticed it doesn’t last as long as the method above.
How to store leftover salad
A salad kit will usually give my family leftovers for the next day, but I’ve noticed it doesn’t taste as good. Here’s what can help:
- Keep the dressing separate from the salad! Sometimes this means just mixing the ingredients and adding the dressing only when you’re ready to eat.
- Definitely eat it the next day. The longer a prepared salad sits, the bigger chance it has to get soggy.
How can you tell if the salad has gone bad?
I’ve had my share of gross salads! Here’s what to look for:
- Slimy leaves
- A foul smell
- Discolored leaves or other ingredients
For food safety reasons, it’s better to be safe than sorry, honestly. I’d rather just throw it away than get food poisoning.
Final Thoughts
Salad has so many health benefits, so eat it all up. Taking a few extra steps to preserve your salad can help you save money and still enjoy your green salad!
Nigel Gildon editor:Nigel Gildon is the editor of Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou: Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years and has a passion for helping new authors get their work into the hands of readers. 63 Liberty Street * Springfield, MA 01003
