How to Revive Fresh Produce

Got wilted greens? Nearly-past-their-peak berries? Keep reading for our best revival tips to bring your fresh produce back to life. It’s one way to eliminate even more food waste.

To start: trim and hydrate. If your fruits and veggies are a little too soft or have gone limp, a little bit of water can go a long way to bring them back to life.

Here’s how to revive fresh fruits and veggies:

Root Vegetables

Got soft beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes, or other root vegetables? Rehydrate your roots to bring them back to life. Simply soak them in water overnight and they should be as firm as new.

Lettuce

Revive wilted lettuce by giving it an ice bath. Let soak for at least an hour before enjoying in your favorite salad.

Salad Greens

The best method to keep greens fresh:

1. Dry Them Well
   Moisture = enemy. Wash greens only if they’re dirty, then spin or pat them completely dry before storing.
2. Store in a Sealed Container with Paper Towels
   Use a lidded container or zip-top bag lined with paper towels. The towels absorb excess moisture and help prevent sliminess.
3. Keep Them in the Crisper Drawer
   Store in your fridge’s crisper drawer, which regulates humidity to help greens last longer.
4. Avoid Ethylene-Producing Produce
   Don’t store greens near ethylene-producing fruits (like apples, avocados, or tomatoes), which speed up spoilage.

How to revive vilted greens:

1. For wilted (but not slimy) greens: Soak in a bowl of ice water for 10–15 minutes. Pat dry and use immediately—this revives limp leaves by rehydrating their cells.
2. For greens starting to get slimy: Remove any slimy or discolored leaves ASAP. Rinse the rest in cold water, dry thoroughly, and use quickly in cooked dishes (e.g., sautéed greens, soup, stir-fry).

Celery, Broccoli, and Asparagus

Give limp celery and asparagus new life in a glass of water. Trim the bottom of celery, then place in a glass of water for at least 30 minutes. The water will rehydrate the celery, making it crisp once again.

Bell Peppers

Not crisp enough? Slice up your peppers and give them an ice bath. They might not bounce back to their deliciously crunchy selves, so cook and purée into a sauce to coat pasta.

Berries

Turn too-soft berries into a delicious dessert topper. Instead of an ice bath, soak berries in sugar water. After a few hours, they’ll be syrupy and thick—perfect to top on cakes or ice cream.

Note: If your fruits or vegetables are discolored, have visible mold, or don’t pass the smell (or taste) test, then they might be officially too far gone. Toss or compost.

If a good hydrating soak doesn’t bring your produce back to crunchy fresh perfection? Try this:

1. Blend herbs with lemon zest and oil for an herby cooking oil
2. Or, purée herbs and freeze them with oil for cooking starters
3. Quick pickle veggies like peppers, cucumbers, and soft tomatoes
4. Juice your fruits or blend them into a smoothie
5. Save vegetables (except for cruciferous ones like broccoli and cauliflower) for homemade stock
6. Roast root vegetables and blend into a dip