How To Keep Strawberries Fresh Longer

How to Store Fresh Strawberries

1. Wash strawberries only when you’re ready to eat them.
2. Keep them as whole berries.
3. Line a plastic or glass container with paper towels.
4. Place the strawberries in a single layer inside the container.
5. Tightly seal the container and place it in the refrigerator.

What is the best way to keep strawberries fresh?

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.

Why does vinegar keep strawberries fresh?

Vinegar Bath, fresh for up to 2 weeks – One of the great things about vinegar is that it destroys harmful bacteria so bathing your strawberries in it will keep them fresh longer. And don’t worry about your berries tasting like vinegar. You’ll be washing it off. Step 1: Fill a measuring cup with 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 1/2 cup of water. You may need more vinegar/water depending on how many strawberries you are planning to soak. Step 2: Place the water/vinegar solution into a bowl or glass container. Let the berries soak for about five minutes. Step 3: Place berries in a colander and rinse with water. Step 4: Place the strawberries on a paper towel and let them dry. Step 5: Line the container you plan to use for storage with a paper towel and place the strawberries inside. Make sure they are all dry. Step 6: Cover the lid and label it with the date. Your strawberries should last up to two weeks.

Do strawberries last longer with the stems?

How to Store Strawberries – The flavor of strawberries is usually best at room temperature, but they won’t last long when stored there. As soon as you get your strawberries home, you’ll want to refrigerate them to extend their freshness. (If you prefer room temperature strawberries, just remove them from the fridge an hour or two before eating).

• Here’s how to properly store strawberries in the refrigerator: 1.
• Don’t wash strawberries until you’re ready to eat them.
• Exposing strawberries to moisture by washing them provides the perfect environment for mold to grow.
• Avoid this by washing your berries just before you plan to eat them, never before storing them in the fridge.2.

Don’t cut them or remove their stems. Strawberries last longer as whole berries, so don’t slice them or cut off their green tops before storing them.3. Transfer berries to a paper towel-lined food storage container with a lid. Lining your storage containers will paper towels will help to absorb moisture from the berries, which will prevent mold from forming.

• Place your berries in a single layer on the bottom of the container and use multiple containers if necessary to fit all the berries.
• If you need to stack the berries to save space in your fridge, place a piece of paper towel between each layer to absorb moisture.4.
• Seal your container.
• Storing your dry strawberries in an airtight container in the fridge will help them last as long as possible.

See more: What Are White Strawberries? Photo credit: Michael Conti

How do strawberries last longer in the fridge?

How to Store Strawberries – When stored properly in the refrigerator using one of the below methods, strawberries should stay fresh for up to one week. Always examine your berries for mold and other signs of spoilage before eating them.

Place in air-tight glassware: Transfer unwashed strawberries into a glass food storage container or mason jar and make sure it’s sealed tight. Paper towel method: Place a clean, dry paper towel in a container and put unwashed strawberries on top. Close the lid and place the container in the refrigerator. Rinse with vinegar solution: Soak strawberries in a vinegar solution (one-part white vinegar and three parts water) for a few minutes. Then drain them, pat them dry, and place them on a clean paper towel in a glass container. Loosely place the lid on and store in the refrigerator.

Ania Lamboiu / 500px