Rinse romaine under cold water to remove dirt. Shake off excess water and use a salad spinner or paper towels to dry completely before storing.
Use a container with airflow or a perforated plastic bag. This prevents excess moisture buildup, which can cause romaine to become soggy.
Place dry romaine leaves between paper towels to absorb moisture. This keeps the lettuce crisp and prevents premature wilting in the fridge.
Store romaine in your fridge's crisper drawer at a consistent temperature. This helps maintain its freshness and prevents quick spoilage.
Keep romaine away from apples, bananas, and other ethylene-producing fruits. Exposure to ethylene speeds up ripening and can cause romaine to wilt.
For whole romaine heads, store in an airtight bag with a small hole for airflow. This balances humidity while keeping the lettuce fresh longer.
If romaine starts wilting, soak it in ice water for 10 minutes. This helps restore crispness and makes the leaves crunchy again before serving.