Perfect for a side dish, make this refreshing salad for the family. Cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, green beans and olives are mixed in a vinaigrette dressing f…
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Question by saylor: how long can salad be left at room temperature?
I’m in college and I have a busy schedule that requires me to pack a lunch and on some days dinner. I’m trying to eat as clean as possible and I really don’t want to pack a sandwich everyday. I really like salads and I was just wondering how long they would stay fresh outside a fridge? I’m going to have to keep it in my car for a few hours but I have ice packs in a insulated lunch bag. So, would having a salad sit out for a few hours be okay? I will also put dressing on it but should I stick that it another container or go ahead and pour it on there beforehand? suggestions?
Best answer:
Answer by Raatz
It’s just vegetates, they should be fine for a few hours. Leave the dressing off/separate until you’re ready to eat it.
What do you think? Answer below!
My salad sits in an insulated container with a single “blue-ice” cooler for roughly 6 hours before I eat it for lunch. I have done it this way for 10 years without ill effects. Usually it has a small amount of cooked meat (like chicken or turkey) and used to have cheese as well.
When I eat it I would classify it as “cool” rather than cold. I keep a separate 2Tbsp size container for dressing so it doesn’t wilt the ingredients.
If it is 100 degrees outside I would not leave the container in the car for that long.
Good for you! Salads will keep for several. Either put the dressing on the bottom and do not mix or put in a separate cup. Croutons and sunflower seeds make a nice addition. An ice pack in a little cooler will help keep your salad and beverage cool. A large cup of ice would also help keep things cool.
Keep the dressing separate, as the other poster said–and try your ice packs in your lunch bag and see how long it keeps. I wouldn’t keep it in the car, actually–the temperature in a closed car can read 140 degrees or more in a matter of hours–and those ice packs won’t last long. Take it with you–it will stay fresher longer. Or buy a CLOSED cooler–with a tight-fitting lid to keep it in instead of the lunch tote, and make sure you keep it in the darkest part of the car, such as behind the driver’s seat.
No longer than two hours at room temperature (41F -135F) because mayonnaise based dressing,dairy products like cheese and even tomatoes are prone to rapid bacteria growth.
Even side from those things. Lettuce wilts and turns brown quickly if not kept sealed and cold. Your salad will also be very soggy if you put the dressing on it hours before. I would store it separate and add once you’re going to eat.
*If you have an ice pack with the salad in a very small bag it should be okay. I say in a small bag or small compartment so the ice pack has an easier time of keeping the salad cold for an extended period of time.