Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Storage Tips: Have you always wanted to know if you are storing your fruits and vegetables correctly? Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to store assorted fruits and veggies, including onions, blueberries, and mangoes.
If you would like these foods to last longer, follow the storage tips below. You will notice proper storage makes a huge difference in preventing your fruits and vegetables from going bad too quickly.
Is the Refrigerator a Good Place to Store Fruits and Vegetables?
The fridge is one spot that people often choose to use as storage for their fruits and vegetables. One reason people seem to prefer this location for such foods is that they know the refrigerator is cold and can keep their fruits and vegetables cold. However, not all fruits and veggies need to stay in such cold temperatures, especially for extended periods. Knowing what to put in the fridge and what not to put in the refrigerator is essential.
What is the best way to store fruit and vegetable?
This really depends on the type of produce that you are storing. That’s why I have a list below to give you some guidance.
How to Store Different Types of Fruits and Vegetables
You have several options when storing fruits and vegetables. Some do best in the fridge, while others do better in the pantry or on the countertop.
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
One of my favorite things to grow in my garden. I dedicated an entire article to how to store potatoes long term.
How to Grow Potatoes Anywhere
Grow Sweet Potatoes
Fresh Green Beans
If you have recently purchased fresh green beans, you can store them in the fridge. Before you put them in the fridge, rinse them with water and a splash of vinegar. Pat the green beans dry with a paper towel, place them in a food storage container, and then put them in your refrigerator. The green beans will stay good for a week.
Lemons
Do you usually put your lemons in the refrigerator? You may have thought it was the best place to store them to keep them from going bad, but it is better to leave them out on your countertop. The problem with storing lemons in the fridge is that they can quickly and easily absorb odors from the refrigerator.
As a result, your lemons may start to taste weird. If you want to avoid tossing them out due to a bad taste in your mouth, save them on the countertop in a big fruit bowl.
Quick and Easy to Make DIY Lemon Extract
Lettuce
Whether you have a head of lettuce or shredded lettuce, you can safely store it in the fridge to keep it from turning a slightly pinkish color. When stored in the refrigerator, your lettuce will stay fresh for up to a maximum of 10 days.
Be sure to put the lettuce in a container or plastic freezer bag with a zipper seal before you set it in the fridge.
How to Grow Lettuce in Your Backyard
Limes
Much like lemons, limes can absorb the odors from your fridge, which changes the way they taste. Instead of slicing them up and putting them in the fridge, keep them whole and store them on the counter in a bowl with your lemons. Make sure to use them within a week to keep them from going bad.
Mushrooms
If you buy mushrooms because you plan to use them in different recipes, storing them correctly is essential. It would be best if you placed them in a brown paper bag before putting them in the crisper section of your fridge. Make sure the paper bag is fully sealed. Fresh, whole mushrooms typically stay fresh for a week when stored correctly.
How to Make and Use Mushroom Powder
Blueberries
You probably thought that putting blueberries in the fridge was a great way to keep them fresh. However, the best thing to do is leave the blueberries on the countertop and eat them like that. It is best to buy blueberries when you plan on eating them, consuming them within a day or two of purchasing the fruit.
Of course, some people like to freeze blueberries and eat them as a snack, which is acceptable to do.
Gluten Free Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Broccoli
If you have broccoli, you can safely store it in the fridge. You can keep it whole or chop it into small pieces, putting it in a food storage container or wrapping it with plastic wrap. After you put it in the fridge, be sure to use the broccoli within a week to keep it from going bad.
Assorted Onions
One of the best things about buying onions is that they last a lot longer than other vegetables and fruits. You can keep your onions in a brown paper bag in the pantry. You do not have to use the brown paper bag, but it is optional. When you store your onions in the pantry, they will typically stay good for up to two months.
Easy Out of this World Pickled Onions Recipe
Mangoes
When you want your mangoes to get ripe, put them in a paper bag and leave them on the counter for up to three days. Once your mangoes are ripe, you can peel them, cut them, and store your mango chunks in the fridge to keep them fresh. Eat your mango pieces within three days. You may even want to sprinkle a bit of Tajin seasoning on the mango!
Mango is wonderful dehydrated as well, see: Food Dehydrators What You Need to Know
Grapefruit
Do you like grapefruit? It has a unique taste and is genuinely good for you. What you might not have known is that you can store grapefruit on the countertop. When left out on the counter, it will stay good for a week.
Why Is Proper Storage of Fruits and Vegetables So Important?
If you enjoy eating fruits and vegetables, you may have noticed that these foods are not cheap. There is a good chance that you are spending hundreds of dollars on fruits and vegetables to eat each month. When you are spending so much, the last thing you want to deal with is your fruits and veggies going bad at a fast pace. If you store them correctly, you can keep them fresh for more extended periods and get your money’s worth.
Fridge or Counter? Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Storage Tips
Some fruits and veggies stay fresh when stored in the fridge, but you do not need to keep everything in there. Now that you know more about how to store different options, including grapefruit, onions, and mangoes, you can make sure that you always store your items the right way.
More Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Storage Tips
Making Tomato Powder
Root Cellar Alternatives
Dehydrating Apples at Home
How to Preserve Carrots from Your Garden
How to Make Celery Powder at Home