How Long Does It Take For Strawberries To Go Bad

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.

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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.

Contents

1 How do you know when strawberries are bad?
2 How long do cut strawberries last in the fridge?
- 2.1 Will strawberries last 3 days?
- 2.2 Do strawberries go bad faster if you cut the tops off?
3 Do dark spots on strawberries mean they’re bad?

How do you know when strawberries are 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.

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How long do cut strawberries last in the fridge?

How to Store Cut Strawberries – If pre-cutting your strawberries before storing them is more convenient, you can use any of the above storing methods to keep cut strawberries fresh. You can also wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Just know that once strawberries are washed and cut, they will deteriorate more quickly than whole, unwashed berries, and generally only last three to four days in the refrigerator.

Will strawberries last 3 days?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Do strawberries go bad faster if you cut the tops off?

Whole strawberries will resist spoilage longer than cut-up strawberry pieces. Keep the whole basket just like you found them at the grocery store or farmers’ market, and leave their green-leaf tops intact.

Do dark spots on strawberries mean they’re bad?

Strawberry black spot is an economically important disease of strawberries caused by the fungus Colletotrichum acutatum. The fungus can remain unobserved in strawberry plants until the crucial fruiting period.