The Hack Ina Garten Uses To Get Crispy Lettuce Without A Salad Spinner

Salad is a staple of many people's diets. It's a great way to satiate your hunger while getting a dose of healthy veggies and fruits. A primary ingredient in many green salads is lettuce, and while the pre-packaged versions of this meal are definitely convenient, it can also add up when you go to pay. According to the Everyday Cheapskate, the price of prepped and packaged romaine was over four times greater than the cost of the standard produce offering at the store. The blogger goes on to explain that a head of lettuce is cheaper and can be washed and prepared for your favorite salad in quickly.

Of course, a fancy salad spinner can help wring out all the water from washing it, so if you don't have one those prewashed salad kits may be even more appealing. Enter the Barefoot Contessa, also known as Ina Garten. The culinary star made an appearance on the "Today Show" and shared a hack she uses to get crispy lettuce that is dry enough for your salad dressing to stick when you don't have a salad spinner (via Instagram). 

Per an Instagram post, Ina Garten shared with "Today Show" hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush that if you have a clean kitchen towel, you don't need a salad spinner. The culinary icon simply placed her washed lettuce in a towel and folded it up by bringing all four corners together to create a sack. Then, holding it tightly closed, Garten twirled the bag around in a circle 10 times to recreate the efforts of a salad spinner, similar to when you push the button that spins the lettuce so it is free of moisture. It's a pretty genius trick.

According to Food 52, using a towel in place of a salad spinner is a tried and true method. The food site explains that they also use a paper towel to gently pat their garden greens dry after they've whirled it around in the kitchen towel. Your lettuce can remain fresh for up to five days. As a side benefit, Garten shares that it is a great upper body workout. However, The Kitchn reveals that while the towel method is more than acceptable to dry your greens, a salad spinner is by far the better tool to have in your kitchen. Still, it's good to know you have options if you don't have the space or money for one of these gadgets.