The Easy Way to Store Strawberries
This page may contain affiliate links, please see my full disclosure policy for details.
Did you know?
- Strawberries are grown worldwide and are the most popular berry.
- Strawberries are the only fruit that has seeds on the outside.
During the summer, I usually buy three baskets of strawberries every week. We mostly just cut them up and eat them plain, or we add to our salads, smoothies, and water for a delightful fruity taste. But the thing is I want the strawberries to look just as fresh as when I bought them days later. Right!!
just picked
left in the fridge without tender loving care
The Care and Keeping of Strawberries
Once you get your berries home make sure to get them into the refrigerator because these berries like to stay cold. Then follow these steps to keep these red berries beautiful and delicious.
1. First and foremost – Do Not Wash The Strawberries – wash them when you are ready to eat them.
2. Get a flat container with a lid large enough to hold the berries in a single layer. I love my Tupperware container, but other containers with a tight-fitting lid will work just as well.
3. Put a layer of or two of paper towel on the bottom of the container
4. Put the strawberries on top of the paper towels in a single layer
5. Put another piece of paper towel on top of the strawberries
6. Cover with the lid and put in the fridge
7. When you take the strawberries out of the fridge to eat, wipe off the condensation on the lid – berries do not like moisture. Sometimes I will replace the top layer of paper towels to keep the berries dryer.
There you have it. Follow this simple trick for keeping your strawberries cold and dry and your berries will stay fresher longer.
How to use those not so perfect strawberries
Tips for using old strawberries
- Pick over the berries to make sure they are not molded then rinse the berries, dry completely then cut off the green tops. Put the berries in a plastic freezer bag and freeze for baking.
- Use older berries for strawberry jam.
- Make strawberry butter for toast, biscuits, and pancakes.
- Make a quick strawberry sauce to add to desserts. You can even freeze the strawberry sauce for later.
One last set of tips before you go. Here is the best way to wash your berries.
- Fill a bowl with water and add a splash of white vinegar. The vinegar will kill the bacteria on the strawberries.
- Let soak for about five minutes.
- Drain the vinegar water and rinse the berries.
Let’s make some delicious strawberry desserts
Strawberry Curd Tarts are a perfect summer dessert filled with fresh strawberry curd in flaky pastry shells.
Here are some of my favorite strawberry items you might like too.
First Published: June 24, 2019… Last Updated: Feb. 12, 2021
Follow One Hot Oven
Like what you see? Make sure you are following One Hot Oven for more tasty sweet and savory recipes!
Pinterest |Instagram | Facebook | Twitter |
Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog. Please leave a comment to say Hello or just let me know what you are baking these days, I always love hearing from fellow bakers. Have any questions or just want to chat about the recipe? Contact me here, and I’ll be happy to help!
About Jere’
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory recipes with all my baking friends.
Marthana Sharp
I have that exact piece of tupperware so I can’t wait for strawberry season, I am so trying your tip for keeping strawberries fresh. I am tired of throwing so many away. Thanks so much.
LA CONTESSA
We do the same with ZUCCHINI FLOWERS!
Geetanjali Tung
This guide is so helpful… Next time when I buy berries in large batches will follow your tips. Thanks for sharing!
Jere Cassidy
I hope you try this tip, it really works so well.
Kushi
Thank you so much for sharing the tips and tricks to keep them fresh. I always discard most of it as it turns bad quickly. I will refer this for sure next time I bring strawberries.
Jere Cassidy
Give it a try, it does work.
Jenni LeBaron
I’ve never tried this method, but I am always eager to learn how I can keep my berries last longer so there’s no waste!
Kelly Anthony
This is a great post on how to keep strawberries fresh longer. I’ve been following these steps for years and it really does make a huge difference.
Amanda
This is so helpful! I always load up on fresh berries during the summer, and sometimes I have a hard time eating them fast enough. Great tips!
Jere Cassidy
Thanks so much.
Stine Mari
Strawberry season is incredibly short in Norway and I tend to spend a few weeks of that season on vacation (like now!), so when I get home I always buy a BIG tray of strawberries. I will definitely use this guide when I do so, I haven’t used paper towels like that before. Great tips.
Jere Cassidy
This will definitely extend the berries.
Mirlene
That was so interesting to read about the seeds on the outside! 🙂 In fact, I am storing strawberries similar to what you are describing. It works every time!
Jere Cassidy
The paper towels work like a charm.
April
This is the biggest challenge, no doubt. In fact, not only with strawberries but pretty much anything else. But yes, it is fresh strawberries that can really make a difference. Love the tip on paper towel pieces!
Jere Cassidy
Also works with blackberries and raspberries.
Jo Allison
I pretty much live on strawberries in the summer so your helpful tips will come really handy!
Mikayla
I always go nuts at those roadside stands and buy half a flat! This post is exactly what I needed to keep them good for as long as possible. Thank you!
Jere Cassidy
The best strawberry stand is 45 minutes away from me and if I know I won’t back soon I buy a 1/2 flat which is more than I need but this trick definitely keeps them fresher longer.
Laura | Wandercooks
Oh my gosh, it’s been like a pebble in my shoe how often strawberries go bad in the fridge before we get to use them – no longer! Such a simple fix, thank you!
Jere Cassidy
It is really simple and your berries will be happy.
Veena Azmanov
Your information is so helpful. I love strawberries and this will really help to store some for a long time to relish.
Natalie
This is such a great post with good tips for keeping strawberries! I always hate how strawberries turn bad so quickly.