Access to fresh heads of butter lettuce, handfuls of aromatic basil leaves and bunches of parsley is one of life’s great privileges. It’s such a pleasure to cook with herbs of all flavors and lettuce of all stripes, especially in the summer when salad is enticing enough to serve as a main course. But as with all good and natural things, the life of such produce is short. In what seems like seconds, our freshly bought arugula turns into a slimy, soggy mess in the refrigerator and our mint leaves blacken, shrivel and die. 

To stop ourselves from wasting money on produce that wilts before we can eat it, we took the question to professionals, who all said the same thing when it comes to storing greens: Control is key. Rather than leaving herbs in plastic bags, invest in food storage containers that allow you to manage moisture levels and airflow. These methods not only extend the shelf life of your produce, but also protect it from the heavier things in your refrigerator that could crush it. (While you can wrap parsley in a damp paper towel, store it in a plastic bag and pop it in your crisper, this method all too often leaves it bruised and unusable if your drawer is filled with apples, oranges and the like.) 

In addition to sourcing the proper containers, Michael Parlapiano, managing director of The Culinary Edge, phrased it best when he said: “Like people in a crowded room, delicate greens need space to breathe. Wrap them loosely—never tightly—as compression (especially when damp) accelerates cellular breakdown and spoilage.” He also begs shoppers to remove rubber bands and twist ties, since they “trap moisture and bruise tender leaves.”    

Read on to discover storage solutions from experts, like Parlapiano, across the country. While their picks start at $15 at Amazon, they’re likely to save you hundreds of dollars in wasted produce over the years.    

Expert-Approved Lettuce and Herb Storage Solutions 

OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper

Recipe developer Marissa Stevens relies on the OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper for preserving washed, chopped lettuce. Between the built-in basket and adjustable vents, she’s able to manage moisture levels, so she can enjoy her greens for that much longer. The brand sells this model in a few sizes (5 quarts, 4.3 quarts and 1.6 quarts) depending on what and how much you’re storing.  

OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Herb Keeper 

Multiple experts, including Parlapiano and Shawna Clark from Healthy Foodie Girl, recommended OXO’s GreenSaver Herb Keeper. It’s a “low-effort, high-reward solution,” said the former, while the latter wrote that if you “refresh the water every few days, don’t overcrowd the herbs, and wipe away any condensation that builds up,” this method will keep your herbs “hydrated and crisp for days.” With thousands of positive Amazon reviews, they clearly aren’t alone in their admiration of this tool. 

Cole & Mason Fresh Herb Keeper 

Stevens, on the other hand, uses Cole & Mason’s Fresh Herb Keeper. “The adjustable lid and water reservoir keep things humid without getting slimy and it’s easy to rinse and reuse,” she wrote. With dividers to separate herbs and integrated air vents, it’s no wonder the brand claims produce stays fresh for up to 10 days longer. 

OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner 

After testing several herb and lettuce storage methods, Kyle Taylor of He Cooks noted that spoiled produce “boils down to airflow and moisture control.” Before he even thinks about storing fresh ingredients, he washes and thoroughly dries them all in a salad spinner, like this popular model from OXO. Taylor firmly believes that wicking away moisture before the storage process begins is the best way to manage how much moisture to introduce later on.   

Prep Solutions by Progressive Lettuce Keeper 

Michael Dunning, executive chef at Denver’s Mizuna restaurant, swears by the Prep Solutions by Progressive Lettuce Keeper when, well, keeping lettuce. He called it “a miracle worker” that has “greatly increased the shelf life of greens by 7 to 10 days.” Over 9,000 Amazon shoppers agree, citing its adjustable vent, water reservoir and convenient storage guide on the front as major selling points. 

Rubbermaid FreshWorks Large Produce Storage Container 

Rubbermaid’s FreshWorks line has a built-in filter to regulate the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This, alongside the elevated base, keeps lettuce crisp for “2 weeks,” according to one happy shopper. Since this is the largest container on this list, it’s a great choice if you regularly store larger heads of lettuce or cabbage. 

Souper Cubes 2-Tablespoon. Silicone Freezer Molds 

If you’re going out of town or your refrigerator is too full to accommodate one of the aforementioned produce keepers, another great solution is to freeze your herbs. Simply chop rosemary, tarragon or whatever else you need to store, place it in Souper Cubes’ 2-tablespoon silicone freezer mold and add olive oil to cover. When you next need fresh herbs for a recipe, you’ll already have a convenient stash tucked away. Pro tip: This mold is also a great way to freeze leftover tomato paste, lemon juice, chopped garlic and the like.