If you’re lucky enough to have an abundance of lettuce that you’ve grown in your garden or bought from a local farmers’ market, you may be wondering if you can freeze your lettuce.
If that’s the case then you might consider freezing your lettuce.
But can you freeze lettuce? Won’t freezing the lettuce ruin it?
Romaine, Boston, butterhead, and loose-leaf lettuces are all freezer friendly. However, defrosted lettuce should only be used for cooking or blending and not in a salad. Lettuce varieties that have high water content such as iceberg or Crisphead lettuces should not be frozen. High water content in lettuce will cause wilting when thawed.
If you were hoping to freeze your lettuce and make salads, you might be disappointed.
However, there are creative ways you can make use of thawed lettuce after it’s been frozen. Before you let your lettuce spoil in the refrigerator or toss it away, read these guidelines on freezing lettuce.
Freezer Friendly Lettuce Varieties
Lettuces with thicker leaves and stems, as well as lower water content, are more freezer friendly. Romaine, Boston, butterhead, and loose-leaf lettuces all freeze well.
However, iceberg lettuce or any Crisphead lettuces are high in water content and do not freeze well. They are much more prone to crystallization in the freezer. High water content in lettuce will cause wilting when thawed.
If you are going to freeze lettuce then try to freeze lettuce that is as fresh as possible.
You are better off freezing your own garden-grown lettuce or lettuce purchased at a farmers’ market. These lettuces are much fresher than the lettuces you buy at a grocery store or supermarket. Fresh lettuce holds up a lot better in the freezer.
Lettuce typically stays fresh in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days. If you won’t be able to consume your lettuce within that time frame then freezing it may be a good option for you.
How To Freeze Lettuce
There are a few methods for freezing lettuce. Regardless of the method you choose, make sure to thoroughly wash your lettuce and let it completely dry before freezing.
Here are the three most common methods for freezing lettuce.
Freezing Whole Heads Or Leaves Together
This is the easiest method for freezing lettuce. However, it should only be used if you plan on using the entire lettuce head or leaves when thawed. Use the other methods if you plan to only use a portion of the lettuce at a time.
Follow these steps to freeze a whole head of lettuce:
- Make sure the lettuce leaves are completely dry
- Wrap the whole lettuce head or leaves in a paper towel
- Place the wrapped lettuce into a plastic bag or airtight container
- Write the expiration date on the container which is 6 months from today
- Place in freezer.
Freezing Lettuce Leaves Individually
Freezing each lettuce leaf will take a little more time but is a better option if you plan to only use a portion of the lettuce at a time. By freezing each leaf you will be able to take out what you need instead of thawing the whole head and letting the rest go to waste.
Follow these steps to freeze lettuce leaves individually:
- Make sure the lettuce leaves are completely dry
- Place a piece of paper towel in between each leaf
- Make sure the lettuce leaves are not touching
- Place the leaves into a plastic bag or airtight container
- Write the expiration date on the container which is 6 months from today
- Place in freezer.
This method is great for making your lettuce last since you will be able to take out as much lettuce as you want and keep the rest frozen. The paper towel in between each leaf makes sure you’re not stuck with a big frozen lettuce block.
Pureed Lettuce Cubes
The final method for storing lettuce in the freezer is to puree it. This method is best for smoothies and other green drinks.
Follow these steps to create pureed lettuce cubes:
- Toss your washed lettuce into a blender
- Add a little water
- Blend the lettuce until a smooth puree is formed
- Pour the lettuce puree into ice cube trays
- Let them freeze
- Portion out the lettuce cubes into plastic bags
- Write the expiration date on the container which is 6 months from today
- Place in freezer.
How Long Can Lettuce Be Stored In The Freezer?
Lettuce keeps in the freezer for up to 6 months. Lettuce will start to degrade as it gets closer to the 6 month expiration date so try to use the frozen lettuce as soon as possible.
How To Thaw Frozen Lettuce Leave
Frozen lettuce leaves can be defrosted on the counter or in the refrigerator.
Regardless of how you thaw out your frozen lettuce, do not to thaw the frozen lettuce in the original plastic bag or container in which the lettuce was frozen.
Ice crystals that formed from freezing will melt and the moisture will be trapped in the bag or container. As a result, you will end up with wilted and soggy lettuce.
Thawing Frozen Lettuce On The Counter
Thawing lettuce on the counter is a fairly quick way to defrost the frozen lettuce. So do not use this method for thawing frozen lettuce overnight.
Follow these steps for thawing lettuce on the counter:
- First remove the lettuce container from the freezer
- Remove the lettuce leaves from the plastic bag or container
- Lay paper towel or clean dish towels onto the thawing surface to capture any excess moisture
- Place the frozen lettuce leaves onto the thawing surface
- Wait about 1 hour for the full bag of lettuce leaves to thaw
- If you’re thawing out individual lettuce leaves than it will only take a few minutes for them to thaw
Thawing Frozen Lettuce In The Refrigerator
If you are planning to use your frozen lettuce the next day then thawing the lettuce in the refrigerator overnight is the best option.
Follow these steps to thaw frozen lettuce overnight in the fridge:
- Remove the lettuce container from the freezer
- Line a thawing plate or dish with paper towel or a clean dish towel to capture any excess moisture
- Remove the lettuce leaves from the plastic bag or container
- Place the frozen lettuce leaves onto the hawing dish
- Place the dish into the refrigerator
How To Thaw Lettuce Purée
Frozen lettuce puree ice cubes can simply be added to smoothies or soups. This is the easiest way to boost the nutrients in your meals while quickly thawing out these cubes.
Alternatively, you can also thaw out these lettuce puree ice cubes in a cup or jar in the fridge. However, do not let this sit in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours after thawing.
Best Uses For Defrosted Lettuce Leaves
Thawed lettuce does not retain its crispness and freshness, so it is best to avoid using it in salads. It will have an unpleasant, wilted texture.
However, there are many uses for thawed lettuce. You can blend it into smoothies, add it to puréed soups or stews, incorporate it into a quiche batter, or mix it into casserole dishes. Frozen lettuce is a great substitute for spinach.
If you’ve carefully frozen and thawed individual lettuce leaves, you can use them to make lettuce wraps.
Frozen puréed lettuce ice cubes are great additions to smoothies, soups, stews, and broths for cooking starches like rice.
There are many uses for thawed lettuce!
Final Thoughts
While lettuce is not the most freezer friendly food, it is better to preserve it in the freezer than to let it go to waste.
If you have an abundance of lettuce that you’ve either grown yourself, purchased at a farmers’ market, or bought at a grocery store, and you know you won’t be able to eat enough salads before it spoils then freeze it!
Get creative and try some new recipes that call for thawed lettuce. There’s a lot more that you can do with lettuce other than make salads!
Start freezing your extra lettuce and incorporate greens into more of your meals.
