what causes salad greens to brown after one night in the refrigerator.?

Question

And what can i do to keep my salads fresh and tasty for up to several days...it hurts to throw away the vegetables. it's like throwing money in the garbage.

Answer 1

I put my salad greens in a large baggie, put in a paper towel to absorb the moisture, and then roll all of the air out before I seal. Do not put veggies with lettuce. Try keeping your veggies separate and then take them out to make your salad. Works for me. I love salad and do not want to take the time to chop up new veggies and lettuce every two days.

Answer 2

The greens may have been on the bad side to begin with.

Wash the greens, and SPIN DRY THEM. It takes forever to just blot them dry. If you don't have a salad spinner, just put then on top of a wire rack, and put another wire rack on top of the greens. You can shake the water out that way too, but you'll get a little wet (now you're really preppin'!)

When you store greens, give them some air to breathe. If you put them in a zip-lock bag, poke a few holes so fresh air will go through them instead of locking in humidity which causes greens to go bad faster.

One last tip: EAT THEM NOW! If they're fresh, they're going to be delicious no matter what you do! :)

Answer 3

Check the settings on your refridgerator. The best setting is 5 for most models. Also try to keep your vegetables closer to the front. The backside tends to be colder and in combination with a very cold setting, this could be freezing your vegetables which would make them brown.

Also try buying your vegetables before they are complete ripe or mature. Vegetables in the grocery store that look great to eat, like you could eat them tonight, are on the verge of turning so you would have to eat them tonight.

Also my experience is that organic fruits and vegetables last longer than conventionally grown.

Answer 4

don't cut the lettuce with a knife - pull it apart it will last longer. And when you are storing your salads put fresh lemon slices on top and a damp paper towel over that, the veggies will stay fresh and crisp a day or two longer.
Fir just a head of lettuce wrap the unused portion of the head in a damp paper towel and put it in a bowl - it will last longer that way.

Answer 5

Do you wash them before you put them in the fridge? Only wash them as you're about to use them. My mom always used to put a paper towel in with the lettuce. I've tried it and it seems to work. It's the moisture that turns the lettuce brown quickly. Also, check you moisture dial for the produce drawer if that's where you keep it. Make sure the number is towards the lower side.

Answer 6

Why do you , all guys , want to put green vegetables in your
refrigerator ?
Natural green products grow outside , don't they ?

Why don't you get into your refrigerator to sleep for just
a few hours ?

I'd like to see the color of your skin when you get out !

I mean , whenever someone pulls you out of there !!!

I wonder how many refrigerators the farmers have to
buy in order to grow lettuces . . .

AOUCH !

Answer 7

Definitely the lemon helps. Freezing always make the lettuce wilty, cutting(or slicing) with a knife or too much air will cause the lettuce to brown faster....good luck.....

Answer 8

They were either too wet, too old when you bought them or both. Keep them in the veggie drawer. If they wilt, soak them for a while in ice water, they will crisp right up. I can usually keep greens crispy green for up to a week this way.

Answer 9

Don't let them get wet! Don't rinse until ready to use. If they are in a soggy bag, toss it and put it in another, preferably a zip lock and try to get out as much air as possible. Don't buy them on sale as they are probably already pushing their lifespan, thats WHY they are on sale.

Answer 10

it is the oxygen that makes it turn brown just keep you salad in an air tight seal and you should be fine"smile"