How to Store Strawberries So They Last
While strawberries are available in grocery stores year-round, there's nothing quite as good as freshly picked local strawberries when they are in season, which is during the spring and summer in much of the United States and beyond.
Not only is it a shame to waste food, but strawberries are expensive, so when you have those precious fresh berries you want to be sure the ones you don't eat immediately last as long as possible. To find out exactly how to do that we chatted with Kevin Schooley, Executive Director of the North American Strawberry Growers Association. Here's how to store your strawberries to give them the best chance of staying fresh and juicy.
Related: 50 Best Strawberry Recipes
How to Choose Strawberries That Will Last
The first step in properly storing strawberries is choosing strawberries that are in good shape in the first place. Unlike fruits like tomatoes, plums, bananas, and avocados that ripen after picking, strawberries will not get riper once they are picked, so be sure to choose fully ripe fruit—strawberries should be dark red with no white or pale sections and should smell fragrant.
But dark red doesn't mean overripe. Pass up fruit that has soft spots or bruising, or if you see any strawberry juices in the container. This might be obvious, but any mold on the berries is a red flag, too.
If the strawberries are in a clear plastic box, take a look at all sides of the container, including the bottom, for damaged berries and moisture. If they're in a cardboard container, like a berry box you might get at the farmers' market, examine the berries you can see and look at the bottom of the container to be sure it's dry and doesn't have any stains from the fruit—that's a sign that there might be crushed or bruised berries at the bottom of the container. Damaged berries will spoil much faster than intact ones.
Why You Should Inspect Berries When You Get Them Home
Once you get your strawberries home, it's a good idea to inspect them again so you can remove any bruised, crushed, or otherwise damaged berries, since those are more likely to mold quickly and mold can spread easily from one piece of fruit to another. If they're not badly damaged, you can go ahead and eat those berries right away and store the good ones. Just toss any berries that have mold on them and any berries that were touching the moldy ones.
When—and How—to Wash Strawberries
Wet berries are prone to spoilage, so it's best to wash them just before you're ready to eat or cook with them. When it comes time to clean your strawberries, just rinse them in a colander (or even in your hands if you're just washing a few) under cool running tap water. There is no need to use vinegar, produce washes, or any other special solutions. Then you can eat them as-is or prep them for recipes. If you are making a recipe that requires dry berries—decorating a cake, for example—gently pat the berries dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel (not terrycloth, which can leave behind fibers) before slicing them.
Related: What's Up With Those Bugs Found in Strawberries?
How to Store Strawberries in the Refrigerator
Once you've inspected the berries, you can put them right back into the container they came in, whether that's a plastic clamshell or a cardboard box. The containers that berries are sold in are designed to keep them fresh, according Schooley. However, if the original container is very damp from crushed berries, transfer the strawberries into a glass or plastic storage container with a lid.
Then, says Schooley, get them into the refrigerator asap. The best part of your fridge for strawberries is in the crisper with the humidity set to the maximum level. There's a fine line when it comes to moisture with your berries—if they get too wet, they can begin to break down and mold, but they need a cool, humid environment, like the one in your crisper, so they don't dry out and shrivel, he explains.
How Long Do Strawberries Last in the Fridge?
In general, strawberries should last anywhere from three days to a week when properly stored in the refrigerator. As for exactly how long you can expect the berries you buy to last, Schooley says there are various factors at play, including the age and condition of the berries and the variety of berry. Some strawberry varieties are bred more for flavor, while others are bred for longevity and the ability to stand up to shipping.
Can You Store Strawberries on the Counter?
We all know that tomatoes taste better and have a better texture when stored on the counter instead of in the fridge, so you might be wondering if the same is true for strawberries. Indeed, Schooley says that you might taste more of the sugars and pleasant acidity of a berry at room temperature than one straight out of the fridge.
Just don't pull the berries out of the fridge, leave them on the counter and stick them back in the fridge. Sitting at room temperature after being in a cool environment will cause them to sweat and that moisture will speed spoilage, he explains.
Related: 43 Best Savory Strawberry Recipes
How to Store Strawberries in the Freezer
If you don't think you'll get through all of your strawberries before they go bad, Schooley recommends freezing them. Frozen berries are great for making smoothies, protein shakes, jams and more.
To freeze strawberries, rinse them and dry them as well as you can so they don't stick to each other. Hull the berries and halve or slice if desired, then spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper and freeze until hard. When the berries are frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight zip-top bag or reusable container. They'll be safe to eat indefinitely, but will maintain their best quality for about six months. In most cases, you can use them straight from frozen, but you can also thaw them in the fridge before using.
What to Do with Strawberries That Are Past Their Prime
There are some other great ways to extend the life of your berries beyond freezing. You can make jam, turn them into a pie, or simply slice them up and macerate them with a bit of sugar. Macerated strawberries produce their own delicious syrup-like liquid, and taste amazing on pancakes, waffles, yogurt and especially vanilla ice cream.
How to Store Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Got chocolate-covered strawberries? Lucky you! If you're planning to serve or eat them within a day, feel free to leave them at room temperature (once the chocolate has set in the fridge, if necessary). Keeping them out of the fridge will lessen the chance of them sweating. If you plan on keeping them longer, store them in a tightly sealed container lined with paper towels in the refrigerator. Condensation may develop on the outside of the berries, but they should still taste delicious and look pretty good for a couple of days. But after those magical two days, the berries can start to get mushy and the chocolate might start to fall off. Moral of the story? Eat them quickly, even if it means sharing!