We’ve all done it. Filled our carts with fresh fruits and vegetables, only to find them mushy or rotten just a few days later. It is frustrating, it is wasteful, and honestly, it feels like throwing money straight into the trash. After plenty of trial and error in the kitchen, I’ve figured out a few simple ways to store produce that actually make a difference. These tips are easy to follow and can help your food last longer, saving you extra trips to the store and a significant amount of money.
Rinse with Vinegar
I used to avoid buying berries because they’d go moldy way too fast. Then I tried this simple trick: rinse them in a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water before putting them in the fridge. It turned out that this helps to kill mold spores and keeps them fresher for much longer. Ever since I started doing this, my berries have lasted well over a week ( sometimes even two). It’s such an easy step, and it really makes a difference.
Lettuce With Paper Towel
This is another easy trick. Wrap your washed lettuce leaves or bunches in a paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. Then, store the wrapped lettuce in the fridge! The paper towel will absorb any extra moisture on the lettuce, which is what causes the leaves to turn brown. Mind blowing, right?
Avocado with Lemon
I used to avoid saving leftover avocado because it always turned brown so fast. Then I discovered this super-easy fix. Just a quick squeeze of some lemon or lime juice over the cut surface of the avocado. That´s it. The citrus keeps it looking fresh and green instead of sad and brown. Now I never feel bad about saving half for later. It still looks good and tastes just as delicious the next day!
Water for Your Carrots
When carrots are kept in the fridge for too long, they will start to shrivel up and look really dry. Storing your carrots in clean water will prevent this and extend their shelf life, keeping them fresh for up to a month. Make sure to change the water every few days to keep it fresh!
Potatoes with Apples
Apples naturally give off ethylene gas, which can help prevent your potatoes from sprouting. Store apples and potatoes together, and your potatoes will stay fresh for up to eight weeks without ever sprouting!
Apples in Salt Water
Pre-sliced apples make for a healthy, tasty snack. However, slicing apples also causes them to turn brown and look unappealing. After you slice your apples, let them soak in a bowl of cold salt water for 5 minutes. Then, you can move the apples into a plastic, airtight bag. This will prevent them from browning and keep them looking fresh and delicious!
Plastic Wrap Bananas
Prevent your bananas from turning brown by wrapping the stems in plastic wrap. This will stop the spread of ethylene gas and stop the bananas from turning brown. You may even see the stems wrapped up in the grocery store when you buy bananas. Even big grocery stores use this simple trick to make bananas last longer!
Tomatoes Hate the Fridge
You may think that putting tomatoes in the fridge will make them last longer. However, tomatoes will lose their flavor if put in the fridge. They will taste best when kept at room temperature. Put them on your counter with the stem side down as that is the last part of the fruit to ripen.
Keep Asparagus in Water
Asparagus dries out quickly and will shrivel up if not stored properly. Put your fresh asparagus stalks in a glass of water with the point facing up. Place the cup in the fridge, and your asparagus will stay fresh for weeks!
Citrus Fruit
Oranges, lemons, and limes stay freshest in the fridge. Put them in the crisper drawer or in a mesh bag and then inside the fridge. They will keep for much longer in the cold than they will at room temperature.
Stone Fruits in Paper Bags
If you have hard and unripe peaches, plums, or nectarines, try putting them in a paper bag and sealing them closed for a day or two. They will ripen quickly and be ready to eat! Once ripe, store your stone fruits in the fridge to extend their shelf life for a few more days.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are delicate, so you must store them correctly to maintain their earthy flavor and firm texture. The worst thing you can do is trap them in plastic, because they’ll become slimy quickly. I always recommend keeping them in their original paper container or transferring them to a paper bag if you bought them loose. Store them in the fridge, but avoid the crisper drawer, as it can become too humid. The paper allows them to breathe and absorbs excess moisture, which is crucial for keeping them dry and fresh. And one more thing, don’t wash mushrooms until you’re ready to use them.
Onions
To keep your onions fresh and flavorful, store them in a cool, dark, and dry place with plenty of air circulation. A mesh bag or a basket in a cupboard works perfectly. Avoid plastic bags or closed containers, as they trap moisture and accelerate the rotting process of onions. And here’s an important tip I always share in the kitchen: don’t store onions next to potatoes. Potatoes release moisture and gases that speed up spoilage in onions, and vice versa. Keep them apart, and both will stay fresher longer.
Use Your Fridge Drawers
Most refrigerators have crisper drawers where you can control the humidity. These drawers are designed for fruits and veggies. They can keep your produce cold, but protect it from the humid fridge. Most fruits and veggies like dry environments, so these drawers will help keep them fresh!
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