Lettuce: how to remove the grit between the leaves

Useful to know

With leaf lettuce, the contamination can remain between the leaves, so rinsing only the outside of the head is not sufficient preparation. Iowa State describes separating the leaves, washing and repeating until the water becomes clean. The leaves are then dried. [1]

For salad, residual water also has culinary significance: it can dilute the added dressing. Drying does not require pressing and crushing; the goal is to remove excess water, with the leaves remaining suitable for serving.

Distinguish bulk lettuce from a package marked as pre-washed and ready for use. For the packaged product, follow the directions on the label. Do not automatically carry each step for a whole chapter on all kinds of ready-made mixtures. Refrigeration and preparation directly for feeding are separate solutions.