1. Choose hardy fruits and vegetables
The secret to keeping produce fresher longer starts with choosing the right produce. Some fruits and vegetables are tougher than others, so keep that in mind when planning your grocery list.
For example, delicate berries like raspberries may only last a few days before they become soft and moldy, but fruits like apples and oranges can last for weeks in the refrigerator and still taste great. Blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, pears, kale, carrots, and squash are other long-lasting options worth stocking up on.
2. Inspect your produce before buying
Is there anything worse than coming home from the grocery store and unpacking your bags to find that the box of strawberries you picked up is already moldy? To ensure you bring home only the freshest fruits and vegetables, don't be afraid to take a good look at your produce.
3. Don't rush to wash your produce until you're ready to eat it.
You've probably seen those videos where people unpack their groceries, wash all the produce, and carefully arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing refrigerator.
Here's a little secret - anything that is washed faster also spoils faster. This is because pre-washing fruits and vegetables creates excess moisture, which can cause them to spoil faster.
4. Store your produce properly
If you immediately throw everything in the fridge when you get home from the grocery store, you might be doing it wrong. Some fruits and vegetables need to be refrigerated, while others are best kept at room temperature, so it's important to know the difference. For example, tomatoes will go bad quickly if you keep them in the fridge.
In general, fruits that ripen over time (such as bananas, melons, avocados, and peaches) should be kept at room temperature until ripe – then they should be stored in the refrigerator.
5. Use refrigerator drawers correctly
Most refrigerators have what are called crisper drawers – usually one for fruit and one for vegetables. They are separate because vegetables like high humidity, while most fruits do best in low humidity. These drawers are usually labeled accordingly, but if not, make sure the drawer you’re storing your vegetables in is tightly closed. You can keep the fruit drawer slightly ajar to reduce the humidity inside.
6. Place the paper towel along with the greens
If you're tired of throwing spinach from your fridge into the trash, this tip is for you. The next time you buy a plastic container of greens, open the lid and place a few paper towels on top. (If you buy packaged greens, empty them into a separate container, then add the paper towels.)
Replace the lid, turn the container upside down, and store in the refrigerator. The paper towels will absorb moisture and help keep the greens fresh. Bonus tip: You can also use paper towels to keep your fresh berries from getting soggy too soon!
7. Freeze fresh herbs in oil
Herbs are a great way to add flavor and freshness to dishes, but it always seems impossible to use them all and they spoil quickly. Instead of waiting for that extra basil to inevitably go bad in your fridge, freeze it in oil for later use.
All you have to do is chop the herbs, pour them into an ice cube tray, cover with olive oil, and put them in the freezer. You can then use the frozen herb cubes in sauces, soups, pasta dishes, and more.
8. Revive wilted produce with cold water
Do you have produce that has become limp and wilted? You don't have to throw it away just yet. Since most vegetables and greens are porous, you can revive them by soaking them in water. Submerge wilted produce in a bowl filled with ice water and place in the refrigerator.
It should be crisp again in about 30 minutes! Store produce with stems (such as broccoli, asparagus, celery and herbs) like a bouquet of flowers. Cut off the ends and place them in a bowl of cold water so they can absorb moisture from the bottom up.
9. Cover banana stems with foil
Bananas can go from green to brown and soft in a matter of days. If you don’t want to make banana bread, you can keep bananas fresher by covering the stem with a small piece of aluminum foil. This trick works because of a little thing called ethylene — AKA the gas that fruit gives off as it ripens.
By keeping it inside, you can slow down the ripening process. If your bananas are still browning faster than you'd like, peel, slice, and freeze them—you can use them in smoothies!
10. Store mushrooms in paper bags
Mushrooms quickly become slimy and unappetizing, and the plastic-wrapped container they come in is often to blame. Store mushrooms in a paper bag. The paper bag will absorb moisture, keeping your mushrooms at the right humidity level.