• Join Chef Success Today! Get support for your Pampered Chef business today! Increase your sales right now! Download 1000s of files and images, view thousands of Pampered Chef support threads! Totally Free!

Storage Tips for Fruits & Veggies: Maximize Shelf Life

In summary, the Mint Life Blog article gives tips on how to make fresh fruits and vegetables last longer, ultimately leading to better deals and less wasted money. These tips include storing apples on the counter, refrigerating avocados and bananas once ripe, removing green tops from beets and refrigerating them in a plastic bag, and keeping citrus fruits on the counter for up to two weeks. Other tips include refrigerating corn still in the husk, keeping green onions in the fridge for up to two weeks, and storing mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge. Finally, the article recommends storing potatoes in the pantry.
esavvymom
Staff member
7,895
*just realized I misspelled 'counter' in the title...sorry:blushing: hit the submit button before I edited. *

Saw this article today from Mint Life Blog:


No matter how good a deal you got on those in-season blueberries, tomatoes or basil, it’s money wasted if some of that produce goes bad before it makes it to the table.

It’s an all too common budget dent. Americans throw out roughly 14% of what they buy, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Worse, that figure is before factoring in the leftover food you scrape from your plate.

Knowing how long fresh fruits and vegetables last and where to store them for maximum shelf life leads to better deals. You can make smarter decisions about how much to buy of a particular food, and use more (if not all) of it before it goes bad. (That’s not to say you can’t keep peppers on the counter or oranges in the fridge, of course – just that if you opt to keep something in less than ideal storage conditions, you might need to eat it a few days sooner.)

The solution: Our handy storage guide below, compiled from chefs’ experience, as well as research by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, MealsMatter.org, Self magazine and the Food Marketing Institute. (Got your own tips to extend the shelf life of fruits and veggies? Post them in the comments.)

Apples

Store on the counter. Move any uneaten apples to the refrigerator after seven days. In the fridge or out, don’t store near most other uncovered fruits or vegetables — the ethylene gases produced by apples can ruin them (making carrots bitter, for example). The exception: if you want to ripen plums, pears and other fruits quickly, put an apple nearby for a day or so.

Artichoke

Refrigerate whole for up to two weeks.

Asparagus

Store upright in the refrigerator in a plastic bag with either an inch of water or with a damp towel wrapped around the base, just like you would have flowers in a vase. They’ll last three to four days that way.

Avocados

Ripen on the counter. Can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days once ripe.

Bananas

Store on the counter. Refrigerate only when ripe — they’ll last for another two days or so.

Beets

Remove green tops an inch or two above the crown. Refrigerate beets in a plastic bag to prevent moisture loss, which leads to wilting. (They’ll last seven to 10 days.) Refrigerate greens separately, also in a plastic bag.

Berries

Grower Driscoll’s recommends refrigerating berries, unwashed and in their original container. Blueberries and strawberries should keep for five to seven days; more fragile raspberries and blackberries up to two days.

Broccoli

Refrigerate in a sealed plastic bag. It’ll keep for three to five days.

Carrots

Refrigerate in a sealed plastic bag for up to three weeks.

Cauliflower

Refrigerate, stem side down, in a sealed plastic bag. It’ll last three to five days.

Celery

Refrigerate one to two weeks in a sealed bag. Keep in the front of the refrigerator, where it’s less apt to freeze.

Citrus fruits

Store oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit on the counter. They can last up to two weeks.

Corn

Refrigerate ears still in the husk. They’ll last up to two days.

Cucumbers

Refrigerate, either in the crisper or in a plastic bag elsewhere in the fridge. They’ll last four to five days.

Garlic

Store in the pantry, or any similar location away from heat and light. It’ll last up to four months.

Green beans

Refrigerate in a plastic bag for three to four days.

Green onions

Refrigerate for up to two weeks.

Herbs

Fresh herbs can last seven to 10 days in the refrigerator. “When I use fresh herbs and store them in my refrigerator at home, I keep them in air-tight containers with a damp paper towel on the top and bottom,” says Raymond Southern, the executive chef at The Back Bay Hotel in Boston. “This keeps them fresh.”

Leafy greens

Refrigerate unwashed. Full heads will last five to seven days that way, instead of three to four days for a thoroughly drained one. Avoid storing in the same drawer as apples, pears or bananas, which release ethylene gases that act as a natural ripening agent.

Mushrooms

Take out of the package and store in a paper bag in the refrigerator, or place on a tray and cover with a wet paper towel. They’ll last two to three days.

Onions

Stored in the pantry, away from light and heat, they’ll last three to four weeks.

Peaches

Ripen on the counter in a paper bag punched with holes, away from sunlight. Keep peaches (as well as plums and nectarines) on the counter until ripe, and then refrigerate. They’ll last another three to four days.

Pears

Store on the counter, ideally, in a bowl with bananas and apples, and then refrigerate after ripening. They’ll last another three to four days.

Peas

Refrigerated in a plastic bag perforated with holes, they’ll last three to five days.

Peppers

Refrigerated, they’ll last four to five days.

Potatoes

Store them in the pantry away from sunlight and heat, and they’ll last two to three months.

Radishes

Refrigerate. They’ll last 10 to 14 days.

Summer squash

Refrigerate in a perforated plastic bag. They’ll last four to five days.

Tomatoes

Spread them out on the counter out of direct sunlight for even ripening. After ripening, store stem side down in the refrigerator and they’ll last two to three days.

Tropical fruit

Mangoes, papayas, pineapples and kiwifruit should be ripened on the counter. Kat Bretcher of Cottonwood, Ariz., ripens mangos in a paper bag in a cool place, and then refrigerates them for another two to five days.

Watermelon

Kept at room temperature on the counter, it’ll last up to two weeks, Bretcher says.

Winter squashes

Store on the counter for up to two weeks.
 
This is awesome!!! Thank you!!
 
Wonderful info, thanks!
 
Thanks for that list. :)
 
Bobbi, this is great! thanks!I was surprised by some of it--like I thought lettuce would last longer if it were washed and spun. Oh well, it still makes it easier to use if you wash it when you get it home. I never use parsley unless I wash it when I first get home, but if I do i will definitely use the whole bunch--it's my secret ingredient, lol.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
There were several things on the list I don't do, and my stuff lasts longer (like onions- mine are always in the fridge, as is my garlic.). And I do wash my lettuce and some veggies/fruit. The key I've found for those is to SPIN them well, and then put in a baggie or container with a paper towel. Then I can USE them easily throughout the week, versus the hassle of washing before use each time I want a handful of berries or grapes. (SOFT Berries only last up to 2 days max though.)But it's a good jumping-off point list I thought, and could be some great tips for shows. :)
 
Yes, I plan to keep washing things. If I don'd wash them right away, I won't use them, like the romaine heads I just threw out cause I would open the fridge and think, naaah. I'll make a salad tomorrow. "tomorrow" never came! lol
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
BlueMoon said:
Yes, I plan to keep washing things. If I don'd wash them right away, I won't use them, like the romaine heads I just threw out cause I would open the fridge and think, naaah. I'll make a salad tomorrow. "tomorrow" never came! lol

EXACTLY!!
I used to throw out so much before I discovered how to really utilize my salad spinner and store things so they'd last the 5-7 days (even when they are washed).

Maybe I should revise the list with MY way of doing things that seem to work just fine ;) - course, it's just for a few of the items.

I was surprised by the Asparagus....that would go well in our Herb Keeper! I use my Herb Keeper for Green Onions, not herbs. My herbs get washed/spun in my spinner, and then put into a ziploc bag with a paper towel wrapped around (moist but not WET)- with the air squeezed out. Bunch lasts a week or more if I rotate the towel every couple of days and pull any dying pieces out.
 
Awesome! Thanks for this!!
 

1. How should I store leafy greens to maximize their shelf life?

Leafy greens should be stored in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Make sure to remove any excess moisture and store them in a plastic bag or container with a paper towel to absorb any remaining moisture. This will help prevent wilting and prolong their freshness.

2. What is the best way to store berries to prevent them from spoiling?

Berries should be stored in a single layer in a shallow container lined with paper towels. This will help absorb any excess moisture and prevent mold growth. Keep them in the refrigerator and avoid washing them until you are ready to eat or use them.

3. How can I store avocados to prevent them from ripening too quickly?

To slow down the ripening process of avocados, store them in the refrigerator. If you need them to ripen quickly, place them in a paper bag with a banana or apple. The ethylene gas produced by the other fruits will help speed up the ripening process.

4. What is the best way to store root vegetables to keep them fresh for longer?

Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, and potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark place. Make sure to remove any excess dirt and moisture before storing. You can also store them in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator to help maintain their crispness.

5. Can I freeze fruits and vegetables to prolong their shelf life?

Yes, many fruits and vegetables can be frozen to extend their shelf life. Make sure to properly clean and cut them before freezing. It is also important to blanch vegetables before freezing to preserve their color, texture, and nutrients. Fruits can be frozen without blanching. Store them in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 6 months.

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

  • DebPC
  • Products and Tips
Replies
2
Views
2K
sharalam
  • RMDave
  • Products and Tips
Replies
7
Views
2K
rlombas
  • DebPC
  • Pampered Chef Recipes
Replies
2
Views
2K
Admin Greg
Replies
12
Views
2K
gilliandanielle
Replies
10
Views
2K
pamperedchefjunkie
  • jrstephens
  • General Chat
Replies
3
Views
1K
The_Kitchen_Guy
  • gilliandanielle
  • General Chat
Replies
16
Views
2K
Braedensmom
Replies
5
Views
1K
BethCooks4U
  • ChefCKHall
  • Pampered Chef Shows
Replies
7
Views
1K
Jolie_Paradoxe
Director Going Green!
  • DebPC
  • Recruiting and Team Leaders
Replies
2
Views
2K
sharalam
Back
Top