FoodKeeper-based refrigerated planning reference
How long does lettuce last in the fridge?
Well Stockd’s curated reference uses about 4 days refrigerated for lettuce, assuming a refrigerator kept at 40°F (4°C) or below. This is a planning estimate drawn from the app’s FoodKeeper/FSIS-based catalog, not a package date or a safety guarantee.
Unopened, opened, and frozen
The single fridge number above is a planning figure. Most of the questions people actually ask about lettuce turn on whether the package has been opened, so those windows are listed separately here.
- Unopened
- About 1 week refrigerated for whole heads; 3 to 5 days for leaf lettuce
- Opened or cut
- Cut or washed leaves hold 3 to 5 days
- Freezer
- Not recommended — freezing damages the texture beyond use.
- How to store it
- Dry leaves, paper towel, loose container. Moisture is what turns lettuce to slime. Does not freeze.
How to tell if lettuce has gone bad
Dates are estimates; these are the checks that actually decide it. When more than one of these is present, throw it out rather than tasting to find out.
- Slimy leaves
- Brown or rust-coloured edges
- Sour smell
How to use this window
A weekly kitchen review is frequent enough to surface this item before the catalog window passes.
Well Stockd does not know when this food was harvested, packed, purchased, opened, prepared, or moved between storage locations. Record the relevant opened, prepared, or refrigerated date, follow package directions, keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below, and use the official item listing when food safety is in question.
Primary sources and limits
The repository catalog identifies USDA FoodKeeper and FSIS typical refrigerated storage guidance as its source. FoodKeeper explains that storage times are guidelines and that actual quality varies with growing, handling, distribution, and storage conditions.