Dry lettuce is the secret to a non-soggy salad

The number one reason your lunch salad turns to mush is that the greens were still wet when you packed them.

Fix that and everything else gets easy. Spin the leaves dry, then pat them down with a towel. Even pre-washed greens hold a surprising amount of water. Don’t skip it. It’s the whole ball game.

After that, two small things keep things crisp until noon: keep the dressing in a separate container, and put a folded paper towel on top of the greens to catch condensation. Wet toppings like tomatoes or cucumbers should sit in their own container too. And don’t pack the salad down like you’re stuffing a suitcase — a little air in the box is what keeps leaves from wilting.

If you’re still getting sogginess, the paper towel is doing the job; just replace it with a fresh one. Or cheat entirely and use sturdy greens like kale and cabbage, which barely notice moisture.