Have you ever struggled with your berries getting soft, mushy or maybe even moldy before you've had a chance to eat them all? I'm going to show you a way to extend the shelf life of strawberries so that you can enjoy them for up to 10 days or more. Yes, that's right! Strawberries can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator when stored this way! All you will need is a little vinegar, a mason jar with an air tight lid, and the strawberries! Keep reading to learn the best way to store fresh strawberries!
I love to freeze, dehydrate, and freeze dry strawberries when I find a good sale on them or when they are in season to pick fresh from the garden. Depending on which way I choose to preserve the strawberries, I will usually use them for baking, such as in my Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp.
Fresh strawberries are our favorite! Some of my most popular strawberry recipes made with fresh strawberries and strawberry scraps are Strawberry Cheesecake Tart, Caprese Salad with Strawberries and Avocados, and Strawberry Vinegar.
Why do strawberries last longer in a glass jar?
The reason why storing fresh washed strawberries in a jar in the fridge is so effective at prolonging their freshness lies in a combination of factors.
- The berries are clean, dry and unblemished.
- Oxygen and contaminates aren't able to cause spoilage.
- The microclimate in the jar is the perfect temp and humidity for prolonging berry life.
Once you've learned this strawberries in a jar hack, you'll never waste strawberries again!
First, washing the strawberries in a vinegar solution helps to remove any potential mold spores or bacteria, extending their shelf life. Secondly, thoroughly drying the strawberries before placing them in the jar prevents excess moisture, which can lead to mold growth.
The glass jar provides an airtight seal, minimizing exposure to air and preventing the strawberries from drying out too quickly. Additionally, the paper towel lining at the bottom of the jar absorbs any extra moisture that may accumulate, further preventing spoilage.
Overall, this process creates optimal conditions for preserving the strawberries' freshness, allowing them to last for weeks in the fridge.
Helpful Equipment
- Mason Jars
- Airtight lids
- Fresh Berries
- Vinegar
How to Prep Strawberries
There are 2 simple steps that will only take you about 5 minutes to prep and get the strawberries into the fridge for proper storage.
- Empty the strawberries from their original packaging and remove any strawberries with soft or bad spots on them. Recycle or repurpose the original container, we will not be using it again for storing these strawberries.
- Wash the strawberries by soaking them in a solution of vinegar water. Mix ¼ cup of vinegar with 4 cups of cool water in a medium bowl. Add the unwashed strawberries and soak in the vinegar bath for 2 minutes.
This step will be most important for strawberries you buy from the local grocery store or for in-season strawberries picked at the local strawberry patch, it will help assure that you get any unwanted pesticides and chemicals off of the fruit.
The vinegar soak effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and pesticides from the strawberries while also helping to extend their shelf life. This gentle solution is suitable for cleaning strawberries without leaving behind any strong vinegar taste.
Rinse the strawberries with fresh water and lay them on a towel in a single layer until completely dry. This will take several hours.
How to Store Strawberries in the Refrigerator
- Wash and dry two quart mason jars per quart of fresh strawberries. You can also opt to add a folded paper towels to the bottom of the mason jar to catch any moisture.
- Place the washed and dried strawberries into the mason jars, making sure to not smush them or overcrowd them in the jar. Once the jar is full, place the airtight lid onto the jar and place it in the fridge.
- When you are ready to eat or use your strawberries, simply pour the strawberries into a bowl and enjoy!
Tips and Troubleshooting Strawberries in a Glass Jar Hack
- For the best quality strawberries , it is important to not wash the ripe berries, remove the bad and moldy berries, and assure the berries are dry berries prior to placing them in the storage container and into the fridge. When the strawberries have soft or bad spots or are wet, it will provide a perfect growing environment for mold spores which will result in the strawberries spoiling faster.
- I do not recommend cutting the fresh produce or removing the stems prior to placing them in the glass jar. This will allow the berries to release juices, which in turn will result in quicker mold growth.
- As long as the berries are not smushed or overcrowded in the storage container, they will last longer and not result in moldy strawberries. With that being said, I do not recommend using a mason jar that is bigger than a quart. This will result in the berries squishing each other because of their own weight.
Serving Suggestions
- You can serve these delicious strawberries plain or use them in your favorite recipes. You might try to make a Strawberry Preserves Chicken Salad, add them to your bowl of morning cereal or yogurt, or even cut strawberries to add them to a charcuterie board.
How to Store Strawberries
Storing any fresh strawberry is sooo easy! Just remember that for maximum shelf life the most important thing is to make sure that they berries are dry and stored in a dry place that is airtight.
Unfortunately if you are not able to use them within 10-14 days, I would recommend turning to a preservation method for long term storage. There are many effective methods to store strawberries long-term, two of which are freeze drying and dehydrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Storing strawberries in the fridge will slow down the rate at which they spoil.
Use the strawberries in a jar hack! Store the dry, ripe, fresh strawberries in the fridge in an airtight container.
The proper steps to the best storage method to making strawberries last longer is to assure all excess moisture is removed from the berries, they are sealing in an air tight container, and stored in the fridge. Storing berries at room temperature may cause them to show signs of spoilage within 2 days.
Amelia
This is how we store all of our fresh fruit! I makes such a huge difference. Last for almost 2 weeks.