Adding a sheet of kitchen roll to an opened bag of salad absorbs excess moisture, keeping the leaves crisp and green for days longer, according to experts at Which?.
Bagged salad is an affordable way to bulk out meals, but the contents rarely stay fresh for long once the packaging is opened. Within a day or two, vibrant green leaves can turn soggy and slimy, leaving no choice but to discard the rest.
The simple trick requires just one kitchen staple: a sheet of kitchen roll placed inside the bag once opened and fastened with a clip. This helps soak up excess moisture, which is a main culprit behind soggy salad leaves.
Food Waste in the UK
The tip comes as figures from climate action charity Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) show that UK households throw away approximately 4.4 million tonnes of edible food every year, setting the average four-person household back around £1,000 annually.
Food waste also takes a considerable toll on the environment, with greenhouse gases produced by rotting food each year estimated to be equivalent to those generated by one in five cars on UK roads.
How to Keep Salad Fresh
The experts at Which? said: "Bagged spinach and salad leaves are convenient, but they can have a relatively short shelf life, particularly once the packaging has been opened."
The trick has also been mentioned repeatedly on Reddit, with one user sharing on the Frugal thread: "Put a sheet of kitchen roll in your bag of salad, and it will keep from going off for a good few days after the date."
In the comments section, one person said: "I love this! It's helped me actually finish my greens before they start going soggy." Demonstrating just how effective the method is, another wrote: "Baby spinach has been in my fridge with this and lasted two weeks over the use by date so far."
It is also wise to examine the salad bag as soon as it is purchased, removing any leaves that have already turned slimy to help stop the others from suffering the same fate. Alternatively, the salad can be taken out, ensured it is completely dry, and placed in an airtight container lined with kitchen roll to maintain its crispness and freshness.
