Makings salad as a single person

[Radiance]

I eat very healthy and I love salads, but I have a frugal living dilemma

I find that either I buy the pre-washed greens and spend more..
Or I buy the fresh greens but a lot goes to waste because I cannot eat it fast enough.
I am not even sure I am saving money because when I buy fresh I have to buy more.
There is a lot of lettuce on one lettuce branch!

Some things come small enough, where I can buy 1 zuchini, 1 onion, 1 cucumber. But leafy greens come in huge bunches when sold fresh...

Any ideas?

[disneysteve]

One store (wegmans) has a bin with spring mix greens loose that you buy as much or as little as you'd like and pay by the pound. See if any stores in your area do that. Or see if any have a salad bar.

Another option is to talk to some neighbors or friends and see if you can find anyone to split things with you.

[GREENBACK]

Not sure what type of lettuce you like but It seems that some varieties such as romaine last longer than others in my experience. Also, don't wash it or leave it wet and keep it in a low humidity part of your fridge. I generally buy a romaine bunch and it lasts quite a while and I'm not a huge salad eater(mostly on sandwiches).

[marvholly]

I am a single too.
I prefer to buy the more nutrient rich lettuces: romaine, leaf, spinach, boston.

I DO wash them, dry/drain them well and either wrap in paper towel or put in a plastic container lined w/paper towel. Change the paper towel every day or 2 (may dry out & reuse the towels-lasts weeks). The romaine & spinach keep about 10 days. The leaf is good for about a week.

[krantcents]

Although I am not single, I am the salad maker. I make myself salads for lunch when I am home (alone). I usually get the vegetables from a produce store or Costco. I mix a variety of vegetables and add nuts, dried fruit and I love to use balsamic vinaigrette as a dressing.

[Gary Barzel]

I am a single too.
I prefer to buy the more nutrient rich lettuces: romaine, leaf, spinach, boston.

I DO wash them, dry/drain them well and either wrap in paper towel or put in a plastic container lined w/paper towel. Change the paper towel every day or 2 (may dry out & reuse the towels-lasts weeks). The romaine & spinach keep about 10 days. The leaf is good for about a week.

I do something similar and it works as well. I rinse it with cool water and shake most of the water off. Then, wrap it in a clean dish towel and place it in a plastic bag or in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. If you plan on keeping it in the refrigerator for a little while then rinse and wrap it again every few days.

[marvholly]

Gary
I have thought about using old kitchen, bath towels and wash clothes instead of the paper towels. I have PLENTY of those on hand.

[Radiance]

Thank you everybody!
I will try the drying every couple days trick and see how it goes...

[marvholly]

Radiance
I do this w/MOST fresh veggies inc broccoli, cauliflower and expecially when I hit a 1 lb ish pkg of reduced mushrooms. While I do eat a LOT of mushrooms that size pkg will generally last 10-14 days.

[snafu]

Lettuce: Asian wrap with choice of chicken, meatballs or fish; lettuce soup, grilled lettuce, braised, vinegar/sugar marinated topping for fish or pasta, substitute for nori in sushi, for example.

[myfreebie]

There are many vegetable plates that come ready made, so you can buy these. As far as the price goes, I would look for coupons and discount cards so that overall result will be money saving.

[snafu]

Radiance: Mayo Clinic article suggests substitutes for salad greens [for kids who balk at salad greens] that give the same nutrition/vitamins: bell pepper, peas, carrot, squash and fruit [higher calories] apple, bananas, pineapple, manago, plums and berries.

The winter greens like cabbage, kale, swiss chard, have a longer shelf life and work well as marinated salad.

[MaryB26]

I buy my salad at a local restaurant. A local chain of restaurant's has a large salad for 3.50.
It is enough for three salads. I get mixed lettuce greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and onions with croutons and dressing. When I get it home I divide it into 3 separate containers for my lunch. I find that this is more economical than having to throw out spoiled salad vegetables that I have had to buy in large packages at the grocery store. There is very little waste and I recycle the container.