How to Revive Leafy Greens

Cooking Tip of the Day

Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach can easily become dehydrated if left in the refrigerator too long after purchasing and storing. Because they are 90 percent water they are easily revived.

For all the methods below soak for 20 minutes to an hour until leafy greens reach the amount of crispness desired.

A small amount of greens for a single salad can be quickly revived by soaking the greens in 2 cups of cold water with 1/2 teaspoon vinegar added.

For larger amounts of leafy greens soak them in cold water with ice cubes added. Add vinegar or lemon juice for added crispness.

Adding acids, like vinegar and lemon juice, helps the leaves bring in more water to the cells, reducing the time needed to regain crispness.

One tablespoon of salt can be added for every 4 cups of ice water.

When removing the greens from the cold water bath, drain in a colander, dry well with a towel, and place in a salad spinner to remove as much water as possible.

It is best to revive leafy greens just before using, but they can be stored for up to 2 days if dried very well after reviving.

Boiling water can revive leafy greens that have dried too long. Rehydrate the greens in the hot water for about 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water and use for cooking.

For more information on using lettuce read:

Can You Fry Lettuce
Recipe for Lettuce Soup