The Secret To Storing Every Type Of Fresh Produce So It Lasts Longer

Know how to store every type of produce properly.

Tired of throwing away fresh produce because it's gone bad quickly? Other than tossing your produce because you didn't eat it in time, improper storage is another big reason you may miss out on eating fresh fruits and veggies. Especially when some items spoil quicker than others since they have to be stored a specific way.

If you've ever wondered what's the right way to store fresh produce so it lasts longer in the fridge, we've got you covered. In this guide, we're dishing up all the secrets to storing fruits and veggies the right way so you can get the longest shelf life possible... or fridge life.

Related: How To Use The Crisper Drawer In Your Refrigerator

Apples

Apples can sit uncovered on your counter or in a fruit bowl between 5 to 7 days, but it's not recommended to leave them out longer than that. The longer apples sit at rom temperature, the quicker they start to soften and lose their crisp texture. The best place to store apples is in your refrigerator (the crisp drawer, to be specific) where they then extend their shelf life to 8 weeks.

Asparagus

You can store fresh asparagus one of two ways: whole, uncut and in your crisper drawer, or cut at the ends in a jar of water. Whole uncut asparagus can last for about a week in your fridge whereas cut asparagus lasts up to five, possibly more if you cover the top loosely with a plastic bag.

Avocado

Avocados are tricky to store and keep fresh since they ripen quickly. Regardless of where your avocado is in it's ripeness, you should keep it away from other fruits since avocados give off ethylene gas that causes food it's stored with to ripen quicker.

For the best avocado storage practices, follow these tips based on how ripe your avocado is and if it's cut:

• Unripe Whole Avocados: Keep on countertop (away from other fruits) for up to 5 days unless it starts to ripen.

• Ripe Whole Avocados: Place in an airtight container in the crisper drawer of your fridge.

• Avocado Halves: Dab lemon juice onto the halves (to keep them from browning) and wrap in plastic wrap. Store the covered halves in an airtight container and place in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

• Cut Avocados: Whether your avocado is sliced or diced, you will need to soak the cuts in lime juice before wrapping them in a paper towel that has also soaked in lime juice. Then, place in airtight container before storing in the fridge.

Can You Eat Brown Avocados?

Browning is a natural part of an avocado's life process once they're flesh comes into contact with oxygen. Brown avocados are safe to eat, but they aren't as tasty as they are when fresh and green.

Bananas

Similar to avocados, bananas contain ethylene gas to speed up their ripening process, which means you should constantly check on the color of your bananas so you eat them while they're still fresh.

But, there are some secret shopping tips banana lovers should abide by when purchasing, such as buying green bananas if you aren't planning on eating them immediately and hanging them up on a fruit basket to keep them from bruising.

Bananas are best stored at room temperature in a fruit basket out of direct sunlight away from other fruits. If you need to speed up the ripening process, wrap them in a plastic bag to trap the ethylene gas for about a day.

Beets

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy beets, but before you enjoy them in a salad or on top of a taco, you have to ensure you've stored them properly to maintain their crispness.

First, you should remove the leafy green tops if they're still on your beets, but don't throw them away! Save the leafy green tops of beets to make dishes similar to Swiss Chard or as another sauteed veggie dish.

Once the tops have been removed, consider if you'd like to store your beets whole or cut/sliced as they both have different storing techniques.

• Whole: Store in an airtight container or zip-up plastic bag and place in refrigerator for up to 10 days or 2 weeks.

• Sliced or Cut: Arrange your sliced or cut beets in a single layer on top of a paper towel in an airtight container. Store in refrigerator and eat within 5 days. If you need to assemble more layers, lay another paper towel on top of cut beets.

Tip

Refrain from washing whole beets prior to storing. The excess moisture can cause your beets to turn soggy before eating.

Berries

Whether you're storing blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries, they all have the same storing techniques to stay fresh longer. The key is choosing a container with airflow and checking the berries every few days to throw away once that are starting to turn. Wash your berries in cool water after buying them and throw away any that are already bad before storing the rest.

Cabbage

Cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are all cruciferous plants in the cabbage family, which means they can be stored together and the same way. The only difference is if you've cut your cabbage head of not. Whole cabbage heads can be stored in the fridge (or freezer) without a bag or container, but cut heads should be stored in an airtight container.

Broccoli and cauliflower should always be stored in the fridge unwashed and uncut in an airtight container or in a plastic bag.

Carrots

The best way to store carrots is unpeeled since the top layer acts as a protectant that also keeps the veggies from drying out. If your carrots still have their green tops, remove those and discard before wrapping your carrots in a dry paper towel and placing in airtight container in the fridge. Try not to wash your carrots prior to storing since the water can turn your carrots soggy before eating.

Cherries

Are you a cherry lover? Then you'll appreciate the fact that their storage is one of the easiest! The only secret to keeping cherries fresh is to store them in the fridge and not on your counter. Most of the time, cherries come in a bag at the store and that's all you need to keep them in before plopping on a fridge shelf--no need to cover or store in anything special.

Citrus Fruits

Grapefruits, limes, oranges, lemons... there are several types of fruits in the citrus family that are also easy to store. Citrus fruits can bounce from the countertop to the fridge once they start to ripen, which you'll know by their feel. If the fruit is slightly squishy but still firm, they're ripening and should transition to the crisper drawer in your fridge.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are another produce pick that can sit on either the countertop or in the fridge, but it's highly recommended to store them in the fridge for longer use. One of the biggest secrets to storing cucumbers is to keep out of the crisper drawer and in a warmer spot like a shelf on the drawer. The crisper drawer is slightly cooler which activates cells in cucumbers and turns them mushy instead of crisp. Always wash your cucumbers as soon as you bring them home from the store before wrapping in a paper towel and placing in a Ziploc bag or airtight container whether it's cut or whole.

Eggplant

Since eggplant is a tricky little fruit to keep fresh, it require specific measures so it doesn't decompose as quick. Eggplants prefer the crisper drawer of your fridge and to be wrapped in a paper towel. You can place the eggplant in the drawer itself since this fruit needs airflow to keep it crisp. Just remember to eat it within 5 to 7 days.

Garlic

Your favorite aromatic has easy storing methods if you're working with the whole garlic bulb. Simply place somewhere room temperature, like the countertop or basket in the pantry, and make sure it's away from sunlight.

Ginger

Whole, unpeeled ginger can be left out on your counter but once you peel and cut it, store in the crisper drawer of your fridge for three weeks after wrapping in a plastic bag or airtight container.

Grapes

Whole grapes are another easy fruit to store in your fridge. Simply wash them and pat dry with a paper towel after buying from the store and stash them in the bag they came in. You don't want to put them in a tied plastic bag or airtight container since these restrict airflow and turns them mushy.

Herbs

The secret to storing herbs to keep them fresh is knowing what type of herb you're storing. Leafy herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro, etc.) need to be stored upright in a glass of water (after trimming off the ends) before wrapping the top in plastic wrap.

Hardy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, etc.) should be wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a Ziploc bag or airtight container.

Lettuce

Storing fresh lettuce and kale heads starts after you give the head a good wash and pat down with a paper towel. Then, wrap the lettuce head in another paper towel to absorb moisture before placing in an airtight container and stowing in the crisper drawer.

Mangoes

Mangoes should be left on the counter if it's unripe or in the fridge once it starts to ripen. Overall, mangoes are good for about a week to two weeks.

Melon Fruits

Watermelons, cantaloupe, and honeydew can sit on the counter in room temperature until they're cut. If you cut or dice your melon fruits, it's best to wrap with plastic wrap tightly and place in your fridge in the crisper drawer.

Mushrooms

Prepackaged mushrooms are fine to store in the packaging they come in, just don't wash them until you're ready to eat. Extra water causes the mushrooms to rot.

Onions & Potatoes

Whole raw onions and potatoes thrive in dark, cool places like the cabinet or cupboard and out of plastic packaging. If you cut your potatoes or onions, store them in the fridge after placing in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

Peaches

Fresh unripe peaches should be left on the counter in a fruit basket to ripen and eat immediately. If you're not going to eat them right away, you can place them in the fridge to slow down the ripening process.

Peppers

For bell peppers you're going to eat soon, you can leave them in a room temperature place for up to 5 days. However, the next best place to store them is the crisper drawer in your fridge if they're whole. If your peppers are sliced or diced, they will need to be stored in an airtight container or bag.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are another produce item that doesn't have to be refrigerated right away. Unripe tomatoes can sit on the counter until they ripen, which is then best to eat. You can, however, store ripe tomatoes in the fridge for up to two weeks if you're not going to eat them as soon as they ripen.

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