That bowl of lemons and limes you have on display on your countertop may look pretty, but unless you’re going through them in a couple days, it’s not the best place for them to be. Learning the correct way to store your fruits and veggies will ensure you always have the freshest produce available, and save you money. No one likes to toss out what could have been perfectly good fruit!
We’re breaking down the basics on how and how long to store your produce. Let’s get started, shall we?
Items that can be stored at room temperature
Avocados: Keep these guys out at room temp until they have reached desired ripeness and then toss them in the fridge to stop the ripening. These don’t last long in my house, so they rarely make it to the fridge stage!
Bananas: Go ahead and display these in that pretty footed bowl you’ve been dying to use. They will typically be good for about 5 days. If you’re not going through them as fast as you’d like, peel them and place them in the freezer for easy smoothie ingredients.
Grapefruit: Lasts about a week on the counter, but will last 3 weeks in the fridge.
Onions/Shallots/Garlic : Should be stored in a bin or basket that allows for circulation.
Pineapple: Whole pineapple can be stored at room temp. Once you slice it, give it a new home in the fridge.
Potatoes: Store in cool location and make sure air can circulate around them. Remember, potatoes and onions may taste great together when cooked, but they aren’t the best of friends when stored together. Keep them separate.
Winter Squash: Whole squash can be stored on the counter for up to 3 months!
Tomatoes: I know, it’s tempting to throw these guys in the fridge when you get home, but they are happiest and tastiest when left out at room temp.
Items that should be stored in the fridge
Apples: I know, I have gotten a lot of questions about this one, but yes. Apples should be stored in the fridge. The lifespan will be SO much longer if you do.
Berries (Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries) Prolong the life of your berries by using OXO’s GreenSavers. These are magic guys…feel free to buy that Costco pack of berries because they will stay fresh twice as long in these! Pick through and discard any soft or moldy berries before placing them in the GreenSaver.
Bell Peppers: About one week
Brussels Sprouts: About one week
Cucumbers: These crunchy veggies thrive in the fridge and typically last around 5 days. If they came in a package or plastic bag like the mini ones do, take them out. Enclosed bags make them deteriorate faster.
Carrots + Celery: 2 weeks in the fridge
Cantaloupe can be stored at room temp until ripe, then place in the fridge.
Cauliflower: 1 week in the fridge
Herbs: Store leafy herb stems in a small jar of water, like you would a bouquet of flowers, in the fridge. Bonus, it looks pretty too! Herbs with woody stems like thyme and rosemary do not need to be stored in water.
Oranges/Clementines: While they can be stored on the counter for a few days, you can prolong their life by 2 weeks by storing them in the fridge.
Lemons + Limes: Sorry, I know how pretty they look, but they are happiest in the fridge.
Lettuce/Kale/Spinach: Prolong the life of your leafy greens by storing them in a large GreenSaver by OXO. The internal basket allows for air circulation on all sides, and the carbon filter absorbs natural ethylene gas to slow down the ripening process.
Plums, pears + nectarines can be stored on the counter until ripe, then they need to be in the fridge. So if you’re buying them at peak ripeness, put them in the fridge immediately.
Zucchini + Summer Squash: Typically last about 5 days in the fridge.
A couple quick tips…
- Whenever you are slicing in to the rind of produce (cantaloupe, avocado, watermelon, etc) wash it first. Studies have shown bacteria lurking on the outsides of these items.
- Don’t wash your berries before storing them. Wash only before you consume.
- Need to speed up the ripening process? Place fruit in a paper bag and place it on the counter. This traps the ethylene gas and speeds up the process.
- When in doubt about how to store something, pay attention to how things are stored in the produce section at the grocery store. You don’t see the tomatoes in the refrigerated area do you…
- Need a few more tips on organizing your fridge? Check out our post!
Love,
Ashley + Lindsay
