Fruits and vegetables are all part of a healthy diet but unfortunately, they don’t come with instructions on how to properly store them. This leaves us wondering what fruits and vegetables need to be refrigerated and what types need to be kept at room temperature? Instead of guessing you can use our guide as a cheat sheet! Proper storage will keep your fruits and vegetables fresh for longer which will help prevent food waste and ensures your fruits and veggies have the best flavor and texture. Check out our guide on how to properly store fruits and vegetables.
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1. How To Store Asparagus
Before you learn how to store asparagus check out how to pick a perfect bundle of asparagus from the store. Choosing a good bundle as well as knowing how to store them ensures you’ll have the most delicious spears ever. First, Keep the rubber band on and do not wash the asparagus because this will speed up their decay. Next, using a cutting board and sharp knife slice off one inch from the end of the stems. Then you can store them upright in a jar, glass, or container. Finally, fill the jar with about one inch of cold water.
Before placing the jar in the fridge loosely cover the asparagus with a plastic bag. This will lock in moisture and keep your asparagus fresh and crisp! Keep your eye on the jar and be sure to change the water whenever it gets cloudy.
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2. How To Store Melons
There are many different types of melons but some of the most popular are watermelon and cantaloupe. Watermelon can be stored on your counter at room temperature until you’re ready to cut and eat. Keep in mind, watermelon does not continue to ripen after it’s been picked so be sure to pick a ripe watermelon at the store! Once you cut into the watermelon you must refrigerate it. Watermelon halves can be covered with plastic wrap while cut-up/cubed watermelon should be stored in containers.
Unlike watermelon, cantaloupe will continue to ripen after it’s been picked. If your cantaloupe isn’t ready to eat you can store it on your counter at room temperature for up to two days until it is ripe. Once it’s ripe transfer the canteloupe to the fridge. Once you cut the cantaloupe store the pieces in a reusable airtight container or Ziploc bag.
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3. How To Store Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are the base of every great salad and can even be added to other delicious recipes like smoothies and baked goods. But there is nothing worse than finding soggy, wilted, or rancid greens in your fridge. The best thing you can do to ensure your leafy greens stay crisp is to make sure they stay far away from moisture.
When storing leafy greens you’ll want to first wash and dry them completely. Then transfer the greens to a plastic bag with a paper towel and place in the crisper drawer. The paper towel will soak up any moisture which ensures your leaves stay crisp. Just be sure to check the paper towel every few days and replace it once it becomes wet. Now that you know how to store your leafy greens check out these creative kale recipes!
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4. How To Store Onions
Onions come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, and offer great flavor to many dishes. Since they are kitchen staple we often tend to buy them in bulk. Unfortunately, onions always seem to soften or go bad before we’re able to use them all. That said if you do store onions properly you will be able to make them last longer.
For starters, onions are best stored in cool, dry, and dark places such as a pantry, cellar, garage, or basement. Onions prefer this type of environment because they can easily absorb moisture. Too much moisture will cause them to sprout or rot. It would also be a great idea to store them in a basket or mesh bag to ensure they are properly ventilated.
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5. How To Store Potatoes
Just like onions, potatoes store best in cool, dark places. That said you don’t want to store potatoes and onions together. This is because onions give off gasses that can cause potatoes to sprout.
Along with a cool, dark place, you’ll also want to store them in an open bowl or paper bag which will promote airflow. Make sure you don’t store potatoes in a sealed container or the fridge!
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6. How To Store Grapes
Fresh, ripe grapes are perfectly sweet, a little bit tart, and are bursting with delicious juices. To make your grapes last it would be best to store them in the fridge in a plastic bag. The most important thing to remember is not to wash the grapes until you’re ready to eat. Washing too early can cause premature rotting.
Unwashed grapes that are stored in the fridge can often last up to a week. If you don’t think you’ll be able to eat them all before they go bad you can freeze grapes to snack on later. If you haven’t tried eating frozen grapes we highly recommend it. They make a delicious healthy frozen treat that you’ll really enjoy!
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7. How To Store Tomatoes
Many people make the mistake of storing tomatoes in the fridge. They should never go in the fridge because the cool temperatures cause the tomatoes to become soft, mushy, and often loose their wonderful flavor. It would be best to store tomatoes at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.
When storing unripe green tomatoes be sure to store them stem side down or in a paper bag until they have turn red. Once your tomatoes are ripe simply keep them on your counter until you’re ready to eat! But keep in mind fresh tomatoes only last for about a week.
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8. How To Store Pineapple
Perfectly ripe pineapple can be incredibly sweet but to ensure you make the most of this delicious fruit you’ll want to know how to store it properly. Whole pineapples shouldn’t be stored in the fridge but instead, should be stored on your counter at room temperature.
Once you cut and peel a pineapple it would be best to then store it in the fridge. Be sure to transfer the pineapple into an airtight container first.
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9. How To Store Carrots
Carrots are a hardy root vegetable that can complement many dishes and can even be enjoyed raw. Luckily for us, because they’re so robust they can last a long time — if they’re stored properly, of course! Carrots can thrive in both the fridge and at room temperature.
When storing them at room temperature be sure to place them in a cool, dark, dry environment similar to storing potatoes. If you want to store carrots in your fridge, simply wrap them in a paper towel and place them in the bag before putting them in the fridge. The paper towel will prevent condensation from forming.
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10. How To Store Celery
Celery is a wonderful healthy snack but to keep the stalks firm and crispy you’ll need to store it properly. The best way to store celery is to first wrap it in aluminum foil. Then you can place the wrapped celery in the crisper drawer.
You shouldn’t store celery in plastic because plastic can trap ethylene gases which can cause the celery to breakdown faster. After you enjoy your celery be sure to keep the base because celery is also one of the best foods you can regrow again and again!
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11. How To Store Squash
There are many different types of squash from summer squashes like zucchini and winter squashes like butternut and acorn. Summer squash such as zucchini is best stored in the fridge. Be sure to first place it in a plastic bag and then store it in the crisper drawer.
Winter squash should be stored differently. An uncut, whole squash is best stored at room temperature and preferably in a cool dark place such as the pantry or a shelf in your kitchen. When winter squash is properly stored it can last for many weeks even months! Keep in mind, after you cut it, be sure to store the squash in an airtight container in the fridge.
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12. How To Store Apples
There are tons of varieties of apples from sweet to tart, soft, and crip! They can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or baked into delicious treats like apple crips and apple pie. But to ensure you make the most of your apples you’ll want to store them properly.
Apples can be stored at room temperature but they will last much longer if you store them in the fridge in a crisper drawer. It’s also recommended that you avoid storing apples with anything else because they emit ethylene gases that speed up the ripening and decay process.
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13. How To Store Herbs
Fresh herbs can add wonderful flavor to many meals but have you ever asked yourself, “how do you store herbs?”. After all, there is nothing worse than finding out that your herbs have wilted or gone bad! Herbs are best stored in the fridge but there are two ways you can do it.
First, you can store the herbs in a jar or glass of water — similar to how you would store fresh flowers. Fill the jar with an inch of water (just enough for the ends). But before placing the herbs in the jar be sure to trim the ends! The second way you can store herbs in the fridge is by wrapping them in a damp paper towel followed by placing them in an airtight container or resealable bag. The towel will keep the herbs moist and will prevent them from drying out.
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14. How To Store Garlic
Garlic is a pantry staple and adds amazing flavor to many dishes. Garlic should never go in the fridge unless it’s been cooked and you’re storing the leftovers. This is because garlic doesn’t do well with light and moisture as both of these elements can cause mold to grow.
The best place to store garlic is in a cool, dry place that is well ventilated. Consider storing garlic in a paper bag or a wire-mesh basket and place it in a cupboard or the pantry. Now that you know how to store it check out these awesome garlic hacks. Learn how to peel cloves and keep your hands garlic-free and how to easily mince garlic without a press!
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15. How To Store Corn
For the best flavor, it is highly recommended that you eat corn on the cob the same day it’s been picked. But if you’re not ready to eat you can store it too. First, make sure you do not remove the husks until you’re ready to cook. The husks will keep the corn fresh and will prevent them from drying out.
Next, you’ll want to wrap the cobs in plastic and place them in the crisper drawer in your fridge. Just be sure to eat the corn within three days because that delicious sweet flavor will quickly turn to a bland starchy flavor. And absolutely do not store corn at room temperature. Now that you know how to store it check out this no-shuck, no-boil way to cook corn on the cob!
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16. How To Store Cucumber
Believe it or not, cucumbers will last longer at room temperature. This is because the texture and flavor of a cucumber can deteriorate if it’s stored at temperatures below 50 degrees Farenheit.
If you do prefer to store cucumber in the fridge then be sure to wrap each cucumber individually in a paper towel and then place it in a plastic bag. Once again the paper towel will absorb excess moisture to help keep your cucumber nice and fresh!
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17. How To Store Avocados
Nothing quite beats cutting into a perfectly ripe avocado. But a perfectly ripened avocado starts with storage. It’s best to store avocados at room temperature on your counter. Sometimes it can take up to four to five days for an avocado to fully ripen.
Once the avocado is ripe it would be best to transfer it to the fridge as this will slow down the ripening process and will make them last longer. If you’ve cut the avocado but don’t use all of it you can check out this easy hack that will save your avocado from browning!
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18. How To Store Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are chock full of vitamin C and have a wonderful sweet and tangy flavor. Like watermelon, citrus fruits don’t continue to ripen after they are picked so be sure to look for the best fragrant fruit at the store.
You can store citrus fruits at room temperature for up to a week just make sure they’re away from direct sunlight. That said the best way to store citrus fruits is in the fridge in the crisper drawer. When stored in the fridge, citrus fruits can last several weeks!
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19. How To Store Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are best stored in the fridge, unwashed. Residual moisture can cause the peppers to decay prematurely and this is why you’ll want to wash them right before you use them. Further, it would also be a good idea to place them in the crisper drawer.
If you cut the peppers but don’t need to use the whole pepper simply place them in a sealed container or plastic bag. It’s also advised to place a paper towel in the bag to absorb excess moisture. Just be sure to replace the towel once it becomes wet. Now that you know how to properly store them check out these bell pepper recipes that will make your meal!
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20. How To Store Bananas
Bananas are a delicious healthy snack. Unlike some other fruits and vegetables, bananas will continue to ripen after they have been picked. You can store unripe bananas on the counter until they are fully ripe. Keep in mind the ripening process will continue so it’s best to eat them within five to seven days. That said you should never toss black bananas because you can use them in baking or added to a smoothie.
Further, you can also store bananas in the fridge after they are fully ripe. The cool temperatures of the fridge will slow down the ripening process and will keep your bananas fresh for up to two weeks.
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