Salad in a Bag: Risks and Rewards

Yes, I'll admit I've succumbed to the bagged salads simply because of the ease of grab and go...I resisted for a long time buying all that prepared spinach, kale, lettuce but found so many times that my fresh spinach, kale, lettuce - full sized heads and leaves were left in the fresh drawer of my fridge a bit too long - and by the time I got to them for washing, drying, chopping, etc. they were looking less than appealing - so ended up getting tossed out. So I buy the spinach, etc. in those clear plastic bins and viola! It gets eaten on a daily basis because it's ready to go in the pan or on a plate; and the container goes into the recycle...better for me to eat all those greens more often and hopefully the recycling center is processing those clean containers appropriately. Occasionally one of those bagged salads gets away from me too...but at least the frequency of that happening is far less than previously. Just sayin' from my own experience, the easier it is for me to get it on the table at mealtime, the less waste I have from my own kitchen. Good subject!

Sue

I have purchased bagged salads before strictly for their ease. However, I can taste a difference in the lettuce. It could just be me, but it tastes chemicall-ly. If I absolutely have to buy them because I am close on time, I will re-wash the lettuce. I would always rather buy a head of lettuce, chop it, triple wash it myself, and store it in mason jars for a week's worth of freshness!!

Simone

I always have good intentions when I buy my fresh salad, but I have a hard time following through. Either I am in a hurry or just lazy so I now use the plastic container in the produce section. I like these better than the bags.

joyce

I do use pre package salads. I love them - I like the kits with everything including the dressing. Lazy - maybe but if I didn't have these, I know I wouldn't take the time to make it.

Melba Fey

I agree with Simone, there is a "taste" other than veggies in the bagged salads. I don't buy them anymore.

Ann

I think they are great -wonderful varieties - I never taste any"chemical" and if it makes you eat salad more I'm all for it - we have enough to do witout having to re-wash things that don't need it- Just saying BTW- love your Blog - so sensible and helpful - thank you!

Jackie Summerville

I agree with Simone too. I find Romaine has a week or more shelf-life if I wrap a paper towel around it or tuck one in the bag it comes in. For spinach or kale, I purchase these when I know I'll be using them within a day, in a planned menu. When they look extra fresh and beautiful, I'll buy and use them up quickly, sometimes in a quick soup if necessary. Spinach or kale don't live in my vegetable drawers-I store them in plain sight on a shelf so as not to forget them! :)

BarbL

I do agree, there is a strange order to the bagged salad. I just get my romaine from costo and they even have little baby heads that work out just fine for my family.

annie

I, as a rule, do not buy the salads in a packet. I find them to be very uneconomical. If you buy a fresh lettuce, its much cheaper and the quantity is certainly greater. I have on very rare occasions bought salad in bag but only in an emergency. I agree it is very handy to have the lettuce all clean and ready to use but I still prefer buying a fresh lettuce.

Joan

I became addicted to packaged Kale salads complete with package of dressing. They are delicious and always seem fresh. Was eating a pkg every day. However I became concerned not about the greens but about how healthy the dressing was. On the advice of the grocery clerk started buying bags/ boxes of greens (kale,Brussels sprouts,mixed cabbage etc) and make my own salad and dressing. Find the pre packaged greens get used and don't get left in my fridge to wilt like the bunches used to do. Better pre washed salads eaten up than wilted kale and Brussels sprouts in the garbage.

Shirley

Lisa, that's a mighty nice salad spinner! I'm considering it because salads would be easier stored all ready to grab from the nice container. Nice price reduction too. Thanks for the tip!

BarbL

I prefer the prepped lettuce in plastic containers rathert than in bags.I have a very sensitive sense of smell and I just don't like the "old" smell of the latter. In either case, I just wish there were smaller size packages available for people who live alone. I love mixed salads but by the time I add all the other ingredients I find that I'm left with greens that are noticeably beyond the "best before" date and they have to be tossed! I'm not always making soups in which i can include left-overs. What else CAN one do with aging

cut-up.greens? I can't stand wasting food - and especially money!

Frances

I have on occasion bought the bagged lettuce but also find that I do not care for the taste. They just seem to have an odd flavor that I can not get past. I always wash them again but it is still there so I buy fresh lettuce and wash it and put it in a ziplock which seems to keep it pretty well. I do however buy the "shreds" for tacos. They are so convenient!

laxmom16

I definitely prefer the boxes of fresh greens etc. I choose Organic whenever possible

Shirley

I will sometimes by the hard plastic containers of spring mix and they taste fine. But I find the bags of salad and lettuce have an odor and smell that turn me off.

Elaine Allen

I Purchase The Relatively Flat Bagged Salad Items Because My Transportation Is A Bicycle,Two Baskets. Spherical Items Require Too Much Transportation Space To me. For Example I Purchase Bok Choy Because It Requires Less Transportation Space Then Cabbage.

RC

I don't buy the bagged lettuce because they all have a funny "taste" and "smell". On occasion I will buy TJ Organic Romaine Lettuce Hearts and go through washing and spinning it out, but I try to buy lettuce from our farmers market during June-October.

JuneBug

I usually buy Organic Girl boxed spring greens. I find these stay fresher several days longer than any bagged salad greens. As for bagged salads, we generally don't care for the mixes. We buy fresh lettuce (romaine, red or green leaf, etc.) and then we mix the mixed spring greens into it for variety. When I have been really short on time or I am the only one eating, I do go to the grocery store and pick of just the right amount of greens for my personal-sized salad. No muss, no fuss, and no leftovers.

Vivian

I agree with Simone above. I buy the salad in the hard plastic containers, as the lettuce or spinach lasts much longer. My husband makes a health shake every work day and we go through a lot of greens.

Martha Gabow

I occasionally buy the bagged salads cause I won't eat a head of iceberg myself, which for some reason is the only lettuce I don't choke on lately. i like the bagged cabbage cause it's just the right amount for me now for cole slaw. And even though they say they are triple washed, I still rinse them and let them sit a few minutes cause I don't want to get sick; it also probably rinses off any chemical odors from being in bag.

Karen Kress

I think the bagged lettuce is great alternative if you don't have the time or desire to clean and spin dry your lettuce. For instance, if you are one person who is only going to have a small salad once or twice a week, it is definitely better to buy the bagged then waste half of the head of lettuce. I for one dislike iceberg and I eat a salad almost daily. I buy red or green leaf, romaine, boston, bibb, etc. I like the fresh and I wash and spin it dry. I use a lot so it doesn't go to waste.

Rhonda Giroux

Frankly, I would much prefer to grow my own lettuce, spinach, etc. but cannot seem to be able to as our soil is just too rocky. My main complaint, though, about buying lettuce is that the way it is now packaged there is NO WAY one can "smell" the greens through the plastic. Used to be that one could know how sweet it would taste just by sniffing the greens. I am still trying to grow my own so that I will have fresh, sweet tasting, healthy greens.

Leah Matheson

Yes we bought the bags all the time but found they would go bad immediately after opening. So after reading this a couple of weeks ago I purchased that Smithy's salad spinner and have to say it is easy to wash a head of lettuce, spin it, and store it in the spinner in the fridge. and the salad stays fresh longer!

Marcia