Produce
How long does leaf lettuce or spinach last in the fridge?
Leaf lettuce and spinach hold 3–7 days in the fridge — dry the leaves properly before they go in the bag, because wet leaves are what collapse.
How long does it keep?
| Fridge, from purchase | 3–7 days |
|---|---|
| Freezer | Not recommended |
Can you freeze spinach? FREEZES, BUT… →
Can it sit out?
Leaf lettuce is perishable — the FSIS 2-hour rule applies.
Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).
How to tell if leaf lettuce has gone bad
- Dark, water-soaked patches on the leaves
- Leaves clumped together in a slick mass
- A swampy smell when you open the bag
- Yellowing creeping in from the leaf edge
When in doubt, throw it out.
A dry paper towel in the bag, swapped when it feels damp, visibly buys you better days at the end of the window.
Quick answers
How long does leaf lettuce or spinach last in the fridge?
Leaf lettuce and spinach hold 3–7 days in the fridge — dry the leaves properly before they go in the bag, because wet leaves are what collapse.
Can you freeze leaf lettuce?
Spinach you were going to cook freezes well; spinach you were going to eat raw does not — and USDA files it with leaf lettuce as not recommended.
How long can leaf lettuce sit out?
The FSIS 2-hour rule applies to leaf lettuce. Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).