How to Store Fresh Strawberries So They Last Longer

Fresh strawberries are delicious. Learn how to store fresh strawberries so that you can get the maximum enjoyment out of them, and reduce potential food waste.

Strawberries make a great additional ingredient for many recipes but often go bad before you can use them all. The good news is that if you follow any of the below methods, fresh strawberries will stay fresh longer. Read on to learn how to store fresh strawberries. 

How to Store Fresh Strawberries: 4 Methods

1. Vinegar Bath: mix one part vinegar to three parts water, place the strawberries in the bath and let them soak for about ten minutes. Next, drain the vinegar bath and dry the strawberries well. Place them in a towel lined container with a loose lid. This will keep the strawberries fresh the longest out of all the methods as the vinegar keeps mold and other bacteria from forming on the strawberries.
2. Remove Moldy Strawberries: Simply remove any bad strawberries from the container they came in once you get them home, and leave the strawberries remaining inside their original container inside the refrigerator. Not rinsing the berries keeps them dry longer, being too moist is one of the key reasons why strawberries lose their freshness.
3. Use a New Container: sort through the strawberries when you get them home and remove any that are bad. Next, place them directly into a lidded container lined with paper towel (or paper towel alternative) and place them in the fridge. This method will keep your strawberries fresh, as the towel will soak up excess moisture.
4. Airtight Glass Containers: place your unwashed strawberries inside a glass container with a lid and place in the fridge. The airtight lid will keep the strawberries from building moisture. 

Tips and Tricks for Fresher Strawberries

You can use the following tips on how to store fresh strawberries so that they last longer:

• Wash right before eating – washing the strawberries adds too much moisture into the berry and can spoil them faster. Only wash them right before you’re reading to enjoy them.
• Keep them whole – whole berries last longer than cut strawberries, so don’t cut them down unless you’re planning to eat, cook, or bake with them right away.
• Utilize the refrigerator – regardless of which method you follow, place strawberries inside the refrigerator to maintain their freshness longer. This will help keep them from getting too moist and will save their freshness until you are ready to use them.

If you’re looking for ways to use your fresh strawberries, consider making vegan ice cream, adding them to fruit salad and homemade slushies, as decoration on vegan red velvet cake, or making some jam. 

Read more:

• Vegan Ice Cream Cake: A Delicious Plant-Based Recipe 
• Healthy Cheesecake Recipe: Easy, No Bake, and Vegan
• How to Freeze Basil: 2 Ways that Preserve Flavor 

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Tags: Guide Nutrition Practical Tips