Stop watching your hard-earned money go straight into the trash in the form of poor, sad, overripe apples and bananas. NO MORE! Learn how to store fruit with these handy tips and never say goodbye to strawberries too soon again!

bowl of fruit on a counter, from Shelf Cooking

Are you tired of watching all that beautiful, shiny fruit turn to mold just days after you bring it home from the store? We just cannot seem to eat it fast enough! Well, moldy strawberries be gone! We'll show you how to keep those colorful fruits fresh with a few super simple tips.

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Learn how to store fruits the right way and stop wasting your time and money. (Yes, there actually IS a right way!!) With these hacks, you'll have a ready-to-eat supply of healthy, fresh fruits that will last all week long!


MAKE SURE YOUR FRUIT IS RIPE

Before using these handy tips to keep your fruit fresh, you must make sure your fruit is ripe! Although many ripe fruits will thrive in the fridge, underripe fruit will never have a chance to come into it's delicious potential if it is kept cold.

When dealing with underripe fruits such as peaches, apples, and even avocados, put them in a brown paper sack set on a windowsill. Check the fruit every day until ripe, then put it in it's proper storage place!


WASHING FRUITS TO MAKE THEM LAST

We have all heard never ever wash your fruits until you are ready to eat them, right!? Well, we are about to blow your mind… okay, are you ready for this??? Forget that rule! Yes, we said it!

Not washing and cutting fruit ahead of time makes it impossible to meal prep! We want to be able to reach in and grab a quick and healthy snack or side any time without worrying about stopping to wash what we're eating! How many times have you looked in the fridge and skipped over those healthy grapes just because you didn't have time to wash them!? Yeah, us too…


HOW TO WASH FRUIT

blueberries in a colander, from Shelf Cooking

Well, we have a new washing technique that not only allows you to pre-wash your fruit—it makes it last even longer than not washing at all!

Here's how you do it:

  • Dump Your Fruit into a Bowl – You can mix all your fruits together if you have a bowl big enough. If not, you can even use a clean sink!
  • Pour Over 1-2 Cups of Vinegar – You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. (Use more if washing in the sink. Ratio should be 1-part vinegar, 4-parts water.)
  • Cover the Fruit with Water – Use cold or room-temperature water — just enough to cover the fruit in your bowl.
  • Stir Around and Let Sit – Toss fruits in the mixture with your hand to loosen any large pieces of dirt and then let the fruit soak for 5-10 minutes.
  • Rinse in a Colander and Store – Once thoroughly rinsed, dry gently with a paper towel and place in the fridge. If you're washing berries, line original cartons with paper towels before replacing berries. This will soak up any excess moisture and prevent rotting.

Not only does the vinegar help to kill any potential bacteria on the fruit, it will also stop any mold spores in their tracks and prolong the life of your fruit!


FRUITS TO STORE IN THE FRIDGE

Learn how to store your fruits so they last with Shelfcooking.com!

Many fruits can and should be stored in the fridge to get the longest shelf-life possible. Most of these you've probably been keeping in the fridge already, but a few may surprise you!

  • Apples – They soften much quicker on the counter!
  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Grapes
  • Apricots
  • Cherries
  • Pears
  • Figs
  • Ripe avocados
  • Peaches
  • Kiwi
  • Plumbs
  • Nectarines
  • All cut fruits

Use the vinegar rinse instructions above for your fruits before storage (don't worry about the fruits like avocados where you won't be eating the skin) and you'll have ready-to-eat fruit whenever the mood strikes! Remember, always keep it organized so you never forget what you have!


FRUITS TO STORE ON THE COUNTER

bananas in a bowl, from Shelf Cooking

While many fruits do best in the fridge, some do better at room temperature. Use this list to determine what you should and shouldn't store in your fruit bowl on the counter!

  • Bananas
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Grapefruit
  • Oranges
  • Mangos
  • Pineapples – Store upside down to let the sugars fall into the whole fruit before cutting.
  • Papayas
  • Watermelon
  • Honey dew
  • Cantaloupe
  • Tomatoes – Yes, they're a fruit!

For best results, keep your counter-top fruits in a well ventilated bowl out of direct sunlight. Never store in a sealed bag because this will only speed up the decaying process. Once you cut into one of these countertop fruits, place in a sealed container in the fridge to prevent spoilage!


HOW TO STORE FRUIT IN THE FREEZER

Sometimes there is just no avoiding it… you haven't eaten as much fruit as you planned and now it's beginning to show signs of becoming overripe! Fear not—freezer to the rescue! Save that just-past-it's-prime fruit by peeling, chopping, and tossing into freezer bags! Add to smoothie packs for a quick and easy smoothie.

Pro Tip: Flash freeze your fruit before adding to a freezer bag to keep it from clumping together in the bag. Spread out on a lined cookie sheet and freeze until hard, then move to a freezer bag.


Don't let the fear of rotten fruit deter you from making healthy decisions at mealtimes. With these tips, you'll learn how to store fruit the right way and stop watching a portion of your grocery budget go straight into the garbage! What is your favorite hack to keep fruits fresh longer? Share with us in the comments below!

Jordan holding bowl of fruit, from Shelf Cooking

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Enjoy that fresh fruit!