Make Fruits (and Veggies) Last Longer in the Fridge

My secret to making fruit and veggies last longer in the fridge? Berry prep! This has become a weekly routine for us after seeing my friend Mika share this method. I was hesitant at first but dang, this really does make fruits and veggies last longer. It’s a bit of prep on the front end but it cuts down on SO much time during the week.

We get groceries every Monday, so washing and prepping fruit (and veggies) happens at that time and then we’re set for the week. I can’t tell you how convenient it is to be able to open my fridge, grab one of these jars, and have clean and cut produce for days. The glass containers make a big difference and our berries never go bad within the week now!

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I’m calling this Berry Prep because that’s what my friend Mika calls it. I use this same exact tactic for some veggies like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and peppers as well. The process is super simple but it’s important to follow in order to get everything cleaned ahead of time and stored properly for the best preservation. If you want to make fruits and veggies last longer in the fridge, I can’t recommend this process enough!

WHAT YOU NEED

• Glass canisters and lids (you can try other containers but I love these. Just make sure whatever you use will have an airtight seal. This is key for freshness!) I like the height of these and always feel like vertical space in my fridge is wasted, so these really help with that.
• Berries and/or veggies
• Good knife + cutting board
• Colander

HOW TO

1. Wash your berries and/or veggies thoroughly. I like to do one variety at a time and put them in a colander and let cold water rinse over them. I’ll wash them for at least 30 seconds to a minute before laying out to dry on my countertop. (Place a towel or paper towels down for a drying spot). Some people prefer to wash their produce in a vinegar rinse but I haven’t found that necessary for us. To each their own.
2. Let everything dry completely. Depending on where you live, the location you’re working with, and the temp of your house, this will vary. I usually leave them for a couple hours before storing.
3. Cut or slice as necessary after drying and before storing. For us, this is usually strawberries, cucumbers, and peppers. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cherry tomatoes go into the jars whole.
4. Store everything in your airtight containers with a good lid and that’s it! You should have fresh fruit and/or veggies for days to come.

I do this every Monday and we’ve never had any issues with storing or keeping things fresh. It’s been a huge time saver and help with the kids especially. I love being able to grab something that is healthy and takes zero work on my end in the moment.

One tip is to make sure that you’ve completely dried everything off before storing. This is especially important with softer things like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. I’ve found that if those go into the jars still damp, they will get soggier or juicier faster. You can also try adding a paper towel to the bottom of your jar to absorb any excess liquid.

Be sure to tag me on Instagram or let me know if you give this a go. I’m sure you’ll find this helps make your fruits and veggies last longer and become a believer.