Should You Keep Strawberries in the Fridge?
It is not necessary to refrigerate strawberries, but it can help to extend their shelf life. Strawberries are best stored at a temperature between 32-36°F (0-2°C), which is the temperature range of a typical refrigerator. If you are not going to eat the strawberries within a few days, it is a good idea to store them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Unless you are planning on using the strawberries without washing within a couple days, you are better off freezing them rather than trying to keep everything fresh and wrinkle-free. Unwashed strawberries will last no longer than seven days in the refrigerator, though you will likely want to use them in just a couple of days. Washed, cut strawberries should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator, and they are best used ASAP to prevent spoilage.
When your entire strawberries are fully dried, put them back into their original containers and store in the refrigerator. If you are careful about how to store the whole strawberries properly in your fridge, they will last for 3-7 days without any problems. As we have explained here, strawberries last for approximately three to seven days in your refrigerator; you can also freeze them for longer-term storage.
If you layer the entire strawberries with one piece of FreshPaper, we think they would keep in the refrigerator well into seven days. Spreading out the strawberries in a single layer on absorbent paper towels is also critical for keeping your strawberries dry.
| Do not store | In Air Tight Container |
| Best storage | Fridge |
| Shelf Life | 3-7 days |
Unlike whole strawberries, you will want to store hulled or sliced strawberries in an airtight container to keep exposed berries free of bacteria and mold. You do not want to store dipped strawberries in airtight containers, as that causes them to decompose and mold much faster than they would if they were covered lightly. If you are storing chocolate covered strawberries that are sliced or have been shelled, that is one case in which you should opt for an airtight container instead.
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While you may feel inclined to keep the entire strawberry in an airtight container in the refrigerator, doing this only accelerates the rotting process because it traps moisture within. Even plastic containers, which are what a lot of strawberry products from grocery stores come in, are not ideal for refrigerator storage. If your strawberries were purchased in the store in one of those resealable plastic containers, make sure you seal the lid on them while you are in the refrigerator. Strawberries should not be stored in plastic bags, as those types of bags often tend to cause fruit to dry out rapidly.
Strawberries are typically stored in plastic containers, but they last much longer if you place them in a mason jar. Just be sure to store your sliced strawberries in covered containers, or tightly wrapped with aluminum foil, to prolong their shelf life. Put a container or baggie in your freezer, and use both the whole berries and the cut-up ones in your milkshakes or smoothies up to two months. Remove the frozen strawberries and move to an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.
If you would like to use the strawberries immediately, keep them in the original package and set on a counter. If you notice any mouldy or slimy strawberries in the containers that came with the stores, be sure to pull them out immediately. Make sure to throw out the moldy, mushy strawberries before you put the batch into the fridge so that the healthier ones can live longer. If you have strawberries left over after eating your freshberries to heart, remember there are plenty of other uses for strawberries.
When strawberries are in season, it is hard not to bring home a pint of the bright, juicy fruit for immediate consumption. Delicious strawberries during the spring and summer months do not get any better than this…fresh, freshly picked. Pick your own strawberries The strawberries may be the most flavorful when eaten fresh from the vine, while kneeling in the middle of the strawberry patch on a bright, sunny morning.
I have written about strawberries quite often in my blog, as we have been growing them on a patch in our front yard for years. Our Strawberry Patch The patch of land on the side of our house our house is the spot the previous owners had their mini-garden, as it has the perfect sun.
Your fresh strawberries are mostly still edible, they are just better cut up for the recipe to get rid of any spots of mildew. While the leaves were limp, and we did find a single berry beginning to develop mold, most of the strawberry as a whole was still solid and ready for eating.
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It is important that you do not rinse the strawberries until just before eating, as the berries will act like a sponge and soak up any water. If you rinse your strawberries, but you still end up using them, then blend them up in a sauce — tomorrow, they are not going to be perfect.
Instead, put strawberries into a covered container or a big baking dish lined with paper towels, which helps wick water from the delicate berries. To thoroughly dry strawberries, put some paper towels into the salad spinner or allow to air-dry in a strainer. If you would like to store the fresh strawberries on your countertop, store them in a basket or an open-weave strainer that allows for plenty of airflow.
Let your strawberries sit for a few minutes to hydrate — it will kill any remaining bacteria/spores and will refresh the berries. Steven Satterfield suggests that you keep strawberries on top of a dry towel once they have been washed (in one layer, if possible), and put a wet towel on top, then consume within one to two days.
Fruits and vegetables picked earlier in the season, like strawberries, should not be refrigerated, as they are still highly perishable. Fruits and vegetables that are picked later in the season, such as tomatoes, may keep for up to three weeks in the fridge.
Do strawberries last longer in the fridge or on the counter?
Strawberries and other fresh berries frequently have mold spores on their surfaces, making them degrade more quickly when kept at room temperature. This process is slowed down by storing them in the refrigerator, giving you more time to use them. This is the most acceptable solution when you need to keep strawberries for more than a day or two.
How do you store strawberries so they won’t spoil quickly?
Fresh strawberries should be kept in the refrigerator unless you intend to use or consume them within a day of bringing them home. (And you get to pick which approach to use!) You’ll enjoy your berries for a longer period of time because the chilly temperature will delay the rotting process.
What to soak strawberries in to make them last?
A colander or salad spinner, some vinegar, and water are all that are required. To begin, combine around 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 2 1/2 cups of water in a big basin and soak your berries for a few minutes. Mold spores and germs that cause your strawberries to deteriorate more quickly will be eliminated by the vinegar.