Strawberries are extremely delicious, and people love to buy the biggest basket of strawberries. But they are also quite expensive, and worrying about their storage is okay.
If you have doubts about how long strawberries last, I got you covered. This blog post is here to answer all your worries.
Whole strawberries with stems can last up to 2 to 3 days. When placed in the refrigerator, strawberries can last for a whole week. The best way to extend the shelf life of strawberries is to keep them in the freezer. They can stay fresh for up to 8 to 12 months.
Strawberries have always been on everyone’s favorite list and are quite versatile. You can use them in jams, cakes, pies, and many other dishes. Not only this, strawberries are widely used in shakes, drinks, and mules. Strawberries have a great sweet and fruity taste.
Keep reading this article and learn how to extend the shelf life of strawberries and store them properly so that you can enjoy their delectable sweet flavor.
How Long Do Strawberries Last?
For your ease and better understanding, I have mentioned a table to get an idea of the shelf life of the strawberries.
| Conditions | Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Strawberries With Stem | 2 to 3 days | 5 to 7 days | 8 to 12 months |
| Cut Strawberries | 2 hours | 3 to 4 days | 8 to 12 months |
How Long Do Strawberries Last At Room Temperature?
Strawberries fall under the category of perishable fruits. So, placing them at room temperature is not an ideal option. If you are going to consume them within 1 to 2 days, you can keep them on the counter.
Make sure to keep them in the original packaging. When it comes to the cut strawberries, they will last for only 2 hours. Thus, storing them in the fridge is better to extend their shelf life.
How Long Do Strawberries Last In The Refrigerator?
If you plan to use strawberries next week, you must keep them in the fridge. Storing them in the fridge is the most preferred way.
Cut strawberries can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. In addition to this, whole strawberries can stay fresh for 5 to 7 days when refrigerated.
I suggest you remove the spoiled ones before keeping them in the fridge. This will make sure that the rotten ones do not affect the others. Also, remove the excess moisture by patting them dry and place them in a container by layering them.
You can also place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb the release of moisture or juices. Don’t forget to change the towel often!
How Long Do Strawberries Last Freezer?
The best way to extend the shelf life of the strawberries is to freeze them. Do you know the best part? You can store sliced, whole, crushed, or with sugar or without sugar.
Strawberries can stay up to 8 to 10 months in the freezer. Just follow the right way to store them in the freezer, and you are good to go!
Can you Freeze Strawberries?
Yes, you can freeze strawberries, and even this is the best possible way to increase the shelf life of the strawberries. You just need to follow a few steps, and you are good to go. Make sure you properly store them.
How Can You Freeze Strawberries?
- By using the paper towel, make sure you remove the excess moisture.
- Slice the stems present at the top of the berries
- After this, place the strawberries on a cookie sheet or baking sheet lined with waxed paper.
- Place the baking sheet in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours or until they get frozen.
- Place all the frozen strawberries in air-tight containers or zip-lock bags. You can also use heavy-duty freezer bags.
Do Strawberries Go Bad?
Yes, strawberries do go bad after a certain period, as they come under the category of perishable type of products.
Thus, whenever you notice any spot or mold, just toss away the strawberries. The presence of molds is quite a visible sign of bacterial attack.
How To Tell Strawberries Have Gone Bad?
Well, there are various ways to identify whether the strawberries have gone bad or not. Let’s dive right in and learn about those signs of spoilage.
1. Watch Out For Molds
Molds are just a clear indication of bad strawberries. If you find any gray or white in the appearance of the strawberry, just discard it away. Molds show bacterial attacks and make them unfit for consumption.
2. Blemishes
Who doesn’t love the bright red color of strawberries? But if somehow you find any blemishes or any kind of black spot, it is better to toss them away.
3. Sour smell or taste
Well, you can easily spot the spoiled strawberry from its smell. Fresh strawberries have a sweet and fruity fragrance, whereas spoiled ones smell sour. So if you don’t get that fruity fragrance and have tart or bitter, then you must toss them away.
4. Mushy
If strawberries have a semi-firm texture, then they are good to use. But strawberries have an extra soft, mushy, and soggy texture, so it is time to get rid of them as they are not good for consumption.
5. Bugs
Strawberries may attract bugs to a large extent. So if you find any insect activity, worms, bugs, or flies, it is the right time to say goodbye!
How To Store Strawberries To Extend Their Shelf Life?
There are high chances of strawberries getting spoiled if not stored properly. So, follow these instructions and know how to store strawberries properly to extend their shelf life.
1. Avoid storing strawberries on the counter
Placing strawberries on the counter is not a great idea. Unless you plan to consume them within a day, I suggest you not keep them in the pantry. Placing them at room temperature allows bacteria to attack them and spoil them.
2. Place them in a crisper drawer
The best way to place the strawberries is to store them in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. This ensures that they stay fresh longer and stay protected from bacterial attacks.
3. Wait to wash strawberries
Well, we will all know washing fruit is a great idea. But it is suggestable to wait to wash strawberries until just before you are ready to consume them. This is because when you wash strawberries and store them, they become soggy and mushy.
4. Refrigerate or Freeze
As I already mentioned, keeping strawberries in the freezer is the best way to extend their shelf life. Cold temperatures ensure they stay fresh and away from heat and direct sunlight. Freezing strawberries ensure they stay away from insect attack and are not turned soggy and mushy.
5. Sort the strawberries
Before storing them in the fridge or freezer, make sure you sort out the rotten or spoiled ones. One rotten strawberry will surely spoil the others. So it is best to sort the bad ones out. This will increase the shelf life of strawberries.
Tips to extend the shelf life of the strawberries
So, I hope you know how to properly store the strawberries to maintain their freshness. Let’s now learn about some effective and useful tips to ensure the long life span of strawberries.
- Make sure you don’t wash them before you want to consume them.
- Place them in a crisper section of the refrigerator.
- Keep the strawberries in the freezer.
- Do not keep them on the counter for a longer period.
- Make sure while buying them that you buy good quality strawberries.
- To extend their shelf life, you can also wash them with a vinegar solution.
Conclusion
Well, this is all about how long strawberries last. If you want to save the whole basket of strawberries, freezing is the best possible way.
To extend their shelf life, just make sure you store them properly. So what are you waiting for? Prepare delicious strawberry jams and cakes, and enjoy a sweet treat!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Do Strawberries Last At Room Temperature?
Strawberries can be consumed in 1 or 2 days at room temperature. Make sure to keep them in the original packaging. When it comes to the cut strawberries, they will last for only 2 hours. Thus, storing them in the fridge is better to extend their shelf life.
How Long Do Strawberries Last In The Refrigerator?
If you plan to use strawberries next week, you must keep them in the fridge. Storing them in the fridge is the most preferred way. Cut strawberries can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. In addition to this, whole strawberries can stay fresh for 5 to 7 days when refrigerated.
Do Strawberries Go Bad?
Yes, strawberries do go spoil after a certain period. These have come under the category of perishable type of products. Whenever you notice any spot or mold, just toss away the strawberries.
How To Tell Strawberries Have Gone Bad?
The signs of spoilage are black spots, molds, tangy taste, sour smell, bruises, and lost color.
