The Best Way to Store Strawberries According to Food Network Experts Natasha Breen / Getty Images By Amanda Neal for Food Network Kitchen Amanda Neal is a recipe developer at Food Network. Those first fresh, vibrant strawberries of the season are like little edible gems telling us that winter is over.
- Though hardier than some other berries, soft and sweet strawberries do require some special care and safe keeping to help them last.
- If you’re planning to eat your strawberries right away, storing strawberries at room temperature on your kitchen counter is the best option — they’ll lose a bit of luster and flavor in the fridge.
However, if you want to prolong their lifespan for use in baked goods and other recipes, the refrigerator will become your best bet. Here are some tips for storing strawberries in your refrigerator to keep them fresh throughout the season. When stored properly, strawberries will stay firm and fresh for about a week.
It’s important to keep strawberries very dry and cold. To do this, line a plate, baking sheet or shallow glass bowl with a couple paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place your unwashed strawberries on top in a single layer, then cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use, ideally within seven days.
If you notice one of the strawberries going bad or turning moldy, immediately remove it and discard. Mold spreads easily and quickly, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on your strawberries for any spoilage. You don’t want one bad berry to ruin the whole bunch! Here are a few important tips for how to store strawberries in the refrigerator: Strawberries will stay their freshest when dry and cold, and any added moisture will soften the strawberries and encourage mold growth.
So instead of washing all of your berries right when you get home from the store, wash them as you plan to eat or prepare them. Keep those little, frilly green stems on your fresh strawberries when storing in the refrigerator. Having the stems intact will protect the interior of your berries and prolong their shelf life.
Your strawberries will stay best when not crushed by layers of berries on top of them. If you’re planning to keep your strawberries for a longer period of time, your best bet is to freeze them. Remove the stems, then quarter or thinly slice the berries.
Place the strawberries on a parchment paper-lined plate or baking sheet, then freeze until solid, at least 30 minutes. Transfer to a resealable freezer bag, and store for up to 3 months. This method will allow you to easily thaw and snack on your in-season strawberries, or simply throw frozen berries into smoothies and frozen beverages.
Kate Mathis, © 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved Baked with a golden biscuit topping, this dessert makes the most of sweet strawberries. To ensure the filling sets correctly, let the cobbler cool completely before serving. Kate Mathis, © 2016, Television Food Network, G.P.
All Rights Reserved This light and springy dessert satisfies the cheesecake lover, but is a bit easier to make. It’s a great way to use up your strawberries. Sweet strawberry and tart rhubarb are a match made in heaven. Serve this cake with a dollop of whipped cream. Presenting the ultimate summer dessert.
We promise you’ll want to be saving this recipe. This buckle screams summer, thanks to the generous helping of fresh blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. We boosted the flavors by adding a good amount of lemon zest to the tender cake and a pinch of nutmeg and ginger to the sweet crumb topping.
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How do you know when strawberries go bad?
Signs of Rot in Strawberries – Look for these signs to see if your strawberries have gone bad.
- Mold – older strawberries may develop white, dark brown, or black mold. The mold may be furry or look wet. It can be on the red part of the berry or the leaves.
- Soft Spots – rotten strawberries may have mushy spots. The mushy spots may be a slightly darker red or brown.
- Discolored Leave s – if the leaves at the top of the strawberry are turning yellow, are crinkly and brown, or have mold on them, they may be too old to eat. Yellowing or browning leaves are a sign the strawberries are past their prime.
- Smell – if the strawberries have a strong smell that’s acrid or ammonia-like, they are past their prime and shouldn’t be eaten. They won’t taste good and they may make you sick.
Can you eat slightly old strawberries?
Eat or toss: If they aren’t showing signs of mold or rot, they should still be OK. However, if the strawberry is very soft and degraded, it won’t taste good anymore.
How quickly do strawberries go bad?
How long do fresh strawberries last in the fridge? – Storing your fresh strawberries in the fridge is the preferred way to store the ripe berries if you plan to use them in the next week or so. To properly store your container of strawberries, I recommend removing the spoiled strawberries first so they don’t affect any other berries.
Then if possible, pat them dry to remove excess moisture and store them in a separate container in a single layer, two layers max. When possible, line the bottom of the container with paper towels to absorb any moisture or juices that the strawberries release. Change these towels often. Then cover the container loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate them.
Whatever container you choose, make sure it’s well ventilated and be sure the berries have enough room to breathe. Properly stored strawberries should last around 7 days. This will vary depending on how old the strawberries were when you first got them and the storage method that they were in (if applicable) prior to you getting them.
- Alternatively, you can preserve the strawberries to last a little longer by using a vinegar wash.
- Putting your fresh fruit through a vinegar bath helps prevent the strawberries from molding so soon as the vinegar kills the mold spores and keeps the strawberries fresh longer.
- To perform a vinegar wash, take 5 ½ cups of cold water and put it in a large bowl.
Add a ½ cup of vinegar to the bowl and place the whole strawberries in the mixture. Let them soak for 5 minutes before rinsing them and placing them in a single layer on top of a paper towel to dry for 20 minutes. A third method to try is to store your unwashed strawberries in a glass mason jar in the refrigerator. 
Can I eat fruits for 7 days?
Will I Lose Weight If I Only Eat Fruit For A Week? – Yes, you may lose weight if you only eat fruits for a week. Fruits are low in calories and high in fiber. It can help you feel full and satisfied while consuming fewer calories than you would with a typical diet.
How quickly do strawberries go bad?
How long do fresh strawberries last in the fridge? – Storing your fresh strawberries in the fridge is the preferred way to store the ripe berries if you plan to use them in the next week or so. To properly store your container of strawberries, I recommend removing the spoiled strawberries first so they don’t affect any other berries.
- Then if possible, pat them dry to remove excess moisture and store them in a separate container in a single layer, two layers max.
- When possible, line the bottom of the container with paper towels to absorb any moisture or juices that the strawberries release.
- Change these towels often.
- Then cover the container loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate them.
Whatever container you choose, make sure it’s well ventilated and be sure the berries have enough room to breathe. Properly stored strawberries should last around 7 days. This will vary depending on how old the strawberries were when you first got them and the storage method that they were in (if applicable) prior to you getting them.
Alternatively, you can preserve the strawberries to last a little longer by using a vinegar wash. Putting your fresh fruit through a vinegar bath helps prevent the strawberries from molding so soon as the vinegar kills the mold spores and keeps the strawberries fresh longer. To perform a vinegar wash, take 5 ½ cups of cold water and put it in a large bowl.
Add a ½ cup of vinegar to the bowl and place the whole strawberries in the mixture. Let them soak for 5 minutes before rinsing them and placing them in a single layer on top of a paper towel to dry for 20 minutes. A third method to try is to store your unwashed strawberries in a glass mason jar in the refrigerator.
Is it OK to eat out of date strawberries?
Is it bad to eat expired strawberries? – It is not recommended to eat expired strawberries. Once strawberries have gone bad, they can contain harmful bacteria or mold that could cause food poisoning and other health issues. Therefore, it’s best to discard any spoiled fruit immediately.
Why are my strawberries going bad so fast in the fridge?
6 Tips for Keeping Berries Fresh Who doesn’t love fresh berries? Except when those berries start growing fuzz within 24 hours of bringing them home. Why do berries go bad so fast? It comes down to moisture and mold. Berries tend to be quite porous, water-rich and delicately skinned, meaning they soak up excess moisture in their environment very easily.