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how to keep strawberries fresh

May 7, 2013 by Marin Mama 36 Comments

how to keep strawberries freshIt’s strawberry season folks! Yippee! So today I thought I would share with you a quick tip that I learned from my friend Carolyn from Gather Weekly on how to keep those ripe strawberries fresh. Carolyn is the queen of the farmers market and always has great kitchen and produce tips for me.  She is sort of my go-to person for anything cooking related. Anyway, she showed me this simple, but helpful tip a few years back, and it’s really helped to keep my strawberries fresher longer.

First off, try and buy local organic strawberries if they’re available. Buying local mean they’re fresher and will last longer, and local produce always tastes better than something that has been shipped in from another state. Buying organic strawberries is preferable because they’re cleaner, contain more vitamin C then conventional ones, and are more effective at killing cancer cells. Conventional strawberries are near the top of the lists of the most contained fruits in in the United States, yikes!

When you return home from the market, check any berries for mold and then be sure to compost any moldy berries. If the moldy berries are left with the fresh berries, then the mold will spread to the fresh berries as well, and we don’t want that! Also, don’t wash your strawberries or take off their green stems. You only want to wash your strawberries right before you’re ready to use them. Strawberries retain water and they will get soggy and soft.

Helpful Tip: Also, if you’re going to eat the strawberries within a day or two, then you can keep them on the counter at room temperature. The strawberries won’t become any riper at room temperature, they will actually become more flavorful and aromatic and also become richer in antioxidant activity,  pretty cool!

IMG_4504

 How to keep strawberries fresh:

Get out a glass or plastic storage container that has an airtight lid. I prefer to use glass containers, but if you don’t have glass, a plastic one will work.

Line the bottom of the container with a plain paper towel.  You may have to tear it in half like I did to fit the container.  The paper towel helps to absorb any moisture.  

DSC_0001-2Lay some strawberries on the paper towel.  Be sure not to overcrowd them.

DSC_0081Lay another paper towel over the first batch of strawberries, and then place more strawberries on top. Do this only if your container is large enough, you don’t want to smash the strawberries when you put the lid on.

DSC_0085Seal the container and then put it into the refrigerator or keep it on the counter if consuming the berries in a day or two. This quick tip has really helped to keep my strawberries fresher longer.

If you love strawberries, then you will love this easy and refreshing strawberry, mango and banana smoothie. I make these up daily for the kids this time of year.  It’s their favorite after school snack.  I just pair it with a batch of our favorite popcorn.

DSC_0195We also love this simple three-ingredient strawberry bananna smoothie!

strawberry banana smoothieHere are some other helpful how-to posts!

How to keep kale and other greens fresh.

DSC_0045-1-2Marin mama’s tips on keeping herbs fresh.

How to de-stem and thinly slice kale.DSC_0006 kale How to roast chicken breasts.

how to roast chicken breastsHow to roast red peppers.how to roast red peppers

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    August 25, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Thanks Marin Mama, this is great! Now, I can have long lasting strawberries and not rush to eat them…great idea.

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      August 25, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      Awesome! I’m glad you found this tip 🙂

      Reply
  2. Irene Ray says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:29 am

    I’m so happy that I found your wonderful tip. I’m applying it tonight and look forward to lovely strawberries in the morning. Thank you so much for being kind enough to help us … and please extend the thanks to Carolyn.

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      July 16, 2014 at 6:25 pm

      Hi Irene! You will totally love how it keeps your strawberries fresh! It really works 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply
  3. Magdi says

    June 5, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Thank you so much,Great idea!

    Magdolna

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    June 2, 2014 at 1:12 am

    Do u have a safe way to keep banans from getting ripe to quickly
    Thank you ahead of time

    Reply
  5. Marlene says

    May 12, 2014 at 2:06 am

    Thanks for the tip! We just picked 13 lbs of strawberries at a U-pick field today for Mother’s Day! I have some all over the fridge and some in the freezer for smoothies.

    Reply
  6. Tracey @ Cooking with Love says

    February 22, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing this! I just bought a huge container of strawberries today and glad to know there is a simple solution to keep them fresh longer! 🙂

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      February 23, 2014 at 4:09 pm

      You’re so welcome girl! I just picked up my first organic strawberries of the season yesterday and I’m so happy. I love berry season!
      xoxo, Jackie

      Reply
  7. julie says

    February 7, 2014 at 2:24 am

    I found this post/your blog a couple of days ago through a Google search. Want to say thank you for the tip on storing strawberries. I tried it and the difference was very significant in keeping the berries fresh until we were ready to eat them tonight.

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      February 7, 2014 at 3:17 am

      Hi Julie! Yaaa! I’m so happy that you found my site and that this tip really worked for you. It really does make a difference in keeping strawberries fresh. 🙂 Thanks for letting me know 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply
  8. Christine |Taste of Divine says

    September 11, 2013 at 1:18 am

    Oh I’m so glad you posted this! I have been racing to eat all the local strawberries in my fridge before they turn to mush. I will definitely have to try this out!

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      September 11, 2013 at 2:42 am

      Hi Christine. It really works and has saved me tons of strawberries over the past few years. It’s the first thing I do when I get strawberries home from the market. 🙂

      Reply
  9. NancyV908 says

    July 4, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    Thank you so much for this tip! It works amazingly well. I have kept strawberries nearly two weeks this way. The only change I made is to use dishcloths (I have lots of old ones that I don’t mind getting stained) instead of paper towels.

    I am so glad to have discovered your blog and have tried many of your recipes. I just wish my kids ate as much of your food as your children do! They are soooo picky. But that way I get all the kale salad! 🙂

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      July 5, 2013 at 11:13 pm

      Hi Nancy! Yaaay! Glad you discovered the tip and that it’s working so well for you! I love your idea of using old dish towels, very green of you 😉
      I bet your kids will slowly get used to the kale. Mine didn’t always love the kale either, but the more I kept introducing it to them, the more they got used to it and the more they starting liking it, but I do find that I have to buy 2 heads of kale now instead of one each time 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply
  10. Christy@SweetandSavoring says

    May 9, 2013 at 12:29 am

    The abundance of strawberry posts I’m seeing on all the blogs lately is making me so happy, it means spring is in full force at last. I appreciate these tips- and I checked out your popcorn recipe, too. Luckily we’ve got plenty of coconut oil 🙂

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    May 8, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    Great tip!!!

    Reply
  12. Kathy says

    May 8, 2013 at 2:29 am

    Thank you Jackie This is awesome- perfect timing too- I just got 2 containers of strawberries in my CSA box today. They are now cushioned in layers of paper towels in a container in my fridge :o) XO Kathy

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      May 8, 2013 at 11:06 pm

      Awesome Kathy! I think this tip truly came at the perfect time, so glad you saw it and applied it! xoxo, Jackie

      Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      May 8, 2013 at 11:06 pm

      Awesome Kathy! I’m so glad that you saw my tip and applied it. Great timing 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply
  13. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

    May 7, 2013 at 11:09 pm

    Strawberries are little stinkers and can go bad so fast! Good tips and I always try to only wash them right before I’m ready to eat them b/c as you said, otherwise soggy city!

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      May 8, 2013 at 11:04 pm

      Thanks Averie! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Danielle says

    May 7, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    What great timing! I just came home with some strawberries and was worried out them going bad. Terrific tip! Thanks!

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      May 8, 2013 at 11:04 pm

      Woo hooo! So glad that I could help Danielle, and I hope they last a bit longer for you! Enjoy those strawberries 🙂

      Reply
  15. Sharon B. says

    May 7, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    Great tips! I’ve had that problem with the mold ruining the whole batch quickly and I’m so bummed when I see that. I’m going to be on the look out for fresh strawberries soon from the farms around us, love strawberry season. I usually make strawberry freezer jam for the year with them. Yum! Such a summery post, love it! xoxo, Sharon

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      May 8, 2013 at 11:03 pm

      Thanks girl! John is the jam maker in our house. He makes the best strawberry and blackberry jam!

      Reply
  16. Anonymous says

    May 7, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    What a fablous tip and it came at the perfect time because I just returned from the grocery store with a fresh batch of strawberries, and I already stored them away. I use to keep them in those green containers and they would get gross in a day! Thanks for the tip! Sarah

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      May 8, 2013 at 11:02 pm

      Hi Sarah! Yaay! I’m so glad my tip helped you out today 🙂

      Reply
      • Katy Richards says

        June 10, 2015 at 4:59 am

        Thank you for the tip!! I just bought a 3lb container and usually leave em on the counter {they go SO FAST) but wanted them to stay fresh longer(bugger container)!! THANK YOU

        Reply
        • jackiegrandy says

          June 10, 2015 at 3:14 pm

          Hi Katy! Yay! I’m so glad this tip helped you! I did recently read that if you’re going to use strawberries with in a day or two it’s ok to leave them out on the counter at room temp. They won’t become any riper, but they will become more aromatic and flavorful and become richer in antioxidant activity! So, good to know! xoxo, Jacquelyn

          Reply

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Hi! Welcome to Marin mama cooks! My name is Jackie Reale! I'm a natural chef, creator and manifestor. I showcase healthy recipes for the everyday cook.About Me...

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