How long does lettuce last?

Checked 25 Oct 20265 official publishers, 9 sources

Iceberg or romaine: 1-2 weeks in the fridge and freezing is not recommended.

Storage times for lettuce by state and place
StatePantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Iceberg or romaine Not stated 1-2 weeks FoodKeeper Not recommended FoodKeeper
Head lettuce Not recommended Extension 1-2 weeks Extension Not recommended Extension
Leaf lettuce Not recommended Extension 3-5 days Extension Sources disagree: 3-7 days FoodKeeperExtension Not recommended FoodKeeper Extension Extension
Bagged greens, unopened Not stated 3-5 days FoodKeeper Extension Not recommended FoodKeeper Extension
Bagged greens, opened Not stated 2 days FoodKeeper Extension Not stated
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStatePantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Iceberg or romaine-1-2 weeksNot recommended
NDSU ExtensionHead lettuceNot recommended1-2 weeksNot recommended
NDSU ExtensionLeaf lettuceNot recommended3-5 daysNot recommended
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Leaf lettuce-3-7 daysNot recommended
Nebraska ExtensionLeaf lettuce-3-7 daysNot recommended
Nebraska ExtensionBagged greens, unopened-3-5 daysNot recommended
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Bagged greens, unopened-3-5 daysNot recommended
Nebraska ExtensionBagged greens, opened-2 days-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Bagged greens, opened-2 days-

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

  • Unopened product will last 3 - 5 days after date on bag; after opening it will last 2 days. FoodKeeper
  • “Store perishable fresh fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and mushrooms) in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below.” FDA
  • “Lettuce, head * 1 to 2 weeks * ... Store away from other drained vegetables and fruits to prevent russet spotting.” Extension
  • “leaf and bibb lettuce, salad greens * 3 to 5 days 2 days after opening * Keep in a moisture-resistant wrap or bag.” Extension
  • “Cabbage*, celery, cress, cucumbers*, endive, lettuce, parsley, radishes As raw salad Limp, water-logged,quickly develops oxidized color, aroma and flavor” Extension
  • “celery, cucumbers, parsley, radishes, and lettuce are vegetables that don't freeze well due to water logging” Extension
  • “Avoid freezing hard-cooked egg whites (toughens them), lettuce and cabbage (becomes limp), mayonnaise (separates).” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper splits lettuce by type: iceberg and romaine get 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator from the date of purchase, while leaf lettuce gets 3 to 7 days.13

Freezing is not recommended for either kind in FoodKeeper, and neither entry lists a pantry time.13

The NDSU Extension food storage guide gives head lettuce the same 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and marks both the pantry and the freezer as not recommended.2

Its comment for head lettuce is to keep it in moisture-resistant wrap, a bag or a lettuce keeper, away from other drained vegetables and fruits to prevent russet spotting.2

For leaf lettuce, the Nebraska Extension chart matches FoodKeeper at 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator and adds that lettuce does not freeze well.43

NDSU is shorter, listing 3 to 5 days for leaf and bibb lettuce in the same row as shredded cabbage and salad greens, kept in a moisture-resistant wrap or bag.2

Bagged greens have their own FoodKeeper entry: 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, which its tip counts from the date on the bag, and 2 days once the bag is opened.5

The Nebraska chart gives bagged greens the same 3 to 5 days unopened and 2 days opened, and says they do not freeze well.4

The FDA names lettuce among the perishable produce to store in a clean refrigerator at 40 °F or below.6

The National Center for Home Food Preservation explains what goes wrong in the freezer: lettuce meant for raw salad is limp and water-logged after thawing and quickly develops an oxidized color, aroma and flavor.7

Its advice on leftovers names lettuce among the vegetables that do not freeze well because of water logging, and Nebraska Extension says frozen lettuce becomes limp.89

Rules that apply here

Fridge and freezer temperatureFreezing and refreezing
CabbageCeleryCucumbers

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 290: Lettuce, iceberg, romaine. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Lettuce, iceberg, romaine. DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Weeks; Freeze: Not Recommended
  2. 1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. Lettuce, head * 1 to 2 weeks * ... * Not recommendedLettuce, head * 1 to 2 weeks * Store in moisture-resistant wrap, bag or lettuce keeper.Shredded cabbage, leaf and bibb lettuce, salad greens * 3 to 5 days ... * Not recommendedShredded cabbage, leaf and bibb lettuce, salad greens * 3 to 5 daysShredded cabbage, leaf and bibb lettuce, salad greens * 3 to 5 days 2 days after opening * ... * Not recommendedLettuce, head * 1 to 2 weeks * ... Store away from other drained vegetables and fruits to prevent russet spotting.leaf and bibb lettuce, salad greens * 3 to 5 days 2 days after opening * Keep in a moisture-resistant wrap or bag.
  3. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 291: Lettuce, leaf, spinach. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Lettuce, leaf, spinach. DOP_Refrigerate: 3-7 Days; Freeze: Not Recommended
  4. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Spinach or leaf lettuce - 3 to 7 daysSpinach or leaf lettuce - 3 to 7 days 10 to 12 months (freezing spinach); lettuce does not freeze wellBagged greens - 3 to 5 days (unopened); 2 days (opened)Bagged greens - 3 to 5 days (unopened); 2 days (opened) Does not freeze well
  5. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 415: Bagged greens, leaf, spinach, lettuce, etc.. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Bagged greens, leaf, spinach, lettuce, etc.. Refrigerate: 3-5 Days (Unopened product will last 3 - 5 days after date on bag; after opening it will last 2 days.); Refrigerate_After_Opening: 2 Days; Freeze: Not Recommended
  6. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely | FDA. FDA. Dated 2024-03-05. Checked 2026-10-24. Store perishable fresh fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and mushrooms) in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below.
  7. Foods That Do Not Freeze Well - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cabbage*, celery, cress, cucumbers*, endive, lettuce, parsley, radishes As raw salad Limp, water-logged,quickly develops oxidized color, aroma and flavor
  8. Lots of Leftovers? - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. celery, cucumbers, parsley, radishes, and lettuce are vegetables that don't freeze well due to water logging
  9. Leftover Food Safety | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Avoid freezing hard-cooked egg whites (toughens them), lettuce and cabbage (becomes limp), mayonnaise (separates).
  10. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.