Can You Freeze Bagged Salad?
Bagged salads often have lots of varieties of lettuce meaning you don’t need to buy a lot of individual types of lettuce that might not get used up.
Still, it’s possible to end up with some leftovers and as it doesn’t last long, so you might be wondering if you can freeze bagged salad leaves.
How To Make Bagged Salad Leaves Last Longer
Bagged lettuce typically lasts 3-5 days in the fridge but can sometimes deteriorate more quickly, especially if your fridge is on the cold side.
To help it last longer, removed the lettuce from the bag and place it in a glass bowl with a piece of kitchen towel on top. The kitchen towel will absorb moisture and hopefully help your lettuce stay fresher for longer.
Washing salad can also reduce its shelf life, so only wash right before eating rather than doing it ahead of time.
Can You Freeze Bagged Salad Mix?
Okay, so technically you can freeze bagged salad, however, it really isn’t advisable to do so if you intend to use it for salad afterwards. Lettuce especially has high water content and once frozen and defrosted becomes a horrible soggy mess.
While you can freeze bagged salad if you plan to use it for something other than a salad, such as soup or a smoothie, I think it’s much better to make it into the soup or smoothie before freezing rather than after.
If your bag contains spinach leaves, peppers or carrots these could be picked out, cooked and then frozen to help avoid wastage.
Can You Freeze Bagged Lettuce?
For more information on freezing bagged lettuce, see our guide; Can You Freeze Lettuce?
Can You Freeze Salad Greens?
This will depend on what type of greens are in your salad. Most types of lettuce don’t freeze well at all, however, spinach leaves could be picked out, cooked and then frozen.
How To Use Up Bagged Salad (Before Freezing Or Instead Of Freezing)
Here are some recipes that use up bagged salad leaves, salad mixes and other types of lettuce.
They make a nice alternative to just having a traditional salad and most can be made even if you’re leaves are starting to turn. See each individual recipe for advice on freezing.
If your bagged salad mix contains vegetables, such as carrots these are fine to be added to a juice or soup, even if they aren’t in the recipe.
Salad Leaf Pesto – Perfect for smoothing on pasta.
Rocket Pesto – Great as a topping on pizza.
Three Ingredient Lettuce Smoothie – Simple to make and a great way to use up lettuce.
Green Smoothie With Lettuce and Lime – This sounds delicious.
Creamy Lettuce Soup – This one can be eaten hot or cold.
Lettuce & Apple Juice – You’ll need a juicer for this recipe.
How To Freeze Bagged Salad Leaves
If you do decide to freeze bagged salad (even though it will be pretty yucky when it comes out of the freezer!) simply place it in a tub or Ziploc bag and freeze.
You’ll want to label and date it so you know what it is and when it was frozen.
However, freezing salad mix is not advised as the results are generally so poor and often inedible.
How To Defrost Bagged Salad Leaves
If you plan on using the frozen salad leaves in a soup or smoothie then there is no need to defrost them first, they can be added into the mix straight from frozen.
How To Freeze Other Types of Salad
Are you wondering if you can freeze other types of salad? Some definitely freeze better than others!
Take a look at our guides below to find out which salad is freezable and which isn’t.
Can You Freeze Broccoli Sprouts?
Can You Freeze Canned Mushrooms?
Can You Freeze Cantaloupe Melon?