Wondering How to Keep Strawberries Fresh? Thanks to these weird but effective tricks, you’ll never need to toss out your favorite sweet and juicy berries again! Once you know how to store strawberries the right way, you’ll save SO much money!
Be sure to also try these clever tips for How to Store Potatoes Long Term and for Growing Green Onions in Water again and again!
How to Keep Strawberries Fresh Longer
These easy hacks for How to Keep Strawberries Fresh are an absolute must have trick for any strawberry fanatic… like me!!!
Sherra writes: “This totally works. I’ve been doing it for a few years.”
Now they are weird little tricks, but they really do work like a charm to keep those Strawberries Fresh longer in the fridge! No more moldy berries, no more wasted strawberries. These are win-win tips that every strawberry lover can use.
Now I LOVE Strawberries! I love them fresh and I love them in my Fruit Kabobs. I love them in my morning Smoothies and I really love to use them to make Freezer Jam.
Honestly, when it comes down to it, I’ll find any excuse I can think of to add more strawberries into my life. So yes… I pretty much love strawberries all the time! 😉
As a huge lover of strawberries, I know that nobody wants to toss their berries before they can enjoy them!
That’s why I just had to share my favorite little tricks with you. So are you wondering how to keep strawberries from molding?
Here are two keep strawberries fresh hacks to try the next time you buy or pick berries…
Related: Strawberry Jam Recipe for Canning
Tip #1: How To Keep Strawberries Fresh With Vinegar
The first method is to soak strawberries in vinegar and water! Following is a kitchen tip shared by frugal friend Susan on The Frugal Girls Facebook page…
“Since strawberries are starting to show up at the grocery stores, and will soon be at the Farmer’s Markets, I thought I would share a little trick that my good ol’ Mom told me about.
To keep the strawberries fresh longer in the refrigerator…
1: Use 1 Part White Vinegar to 10 Parts Water.
2: How long can strawberries soak in vinegar? Soak the strawberries (leaves and all) in the vinegar/water mixture for at least 10 minutes.
3: Then drain the strawberries in a colander until they are completely dry. (Note: I lay mine out on towels or paper towels and pat dry, then let air dry until they are COMPLETELY dry.)
4: Then I place my strawberries in an uncovered bowl in the refrigerator. The vinegar/water mixture kills any mold spores on the strawberries and keeps them fresh longer. The vinegar does not affect the taste. This also works for all kinds of berries: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc. It really works!!”
Isn’t that SO easy?
I’ve been using this trick now over and over, and can’t believe how well it works! Trust me… give it a try – you’ll be amazed!
Vinegar Wash Method Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About The Vinegar Wash Method…
Susan writes: “I do this with my berries. It works!”
Teresa writes: “I tried it for the first time. I couldn’t believe what came off of the strawberries the dirt and little bugs, it was shocking. thanks the recipe , I will continue to do this.”
Linda writes: “The vinegar soak works well with any berries. Won’t taste like vinegar.”
Kathleen writes: “I have done this for a few years now and can vouch that it really works”
Amy writes: “And this is much cheaper than the fruit + veggie washes on the market!”
Lauren writes: “For strawberries I make sure to lay them on the counter over paper towels or a towel so they are completely dry. I clean the container they came in and store them in that with a paper towel on the bottom.”
Patti writes: “I know it works because I DO THIS and Florida is in the middle of strawberry season right now!”
Margurite writes: “I do this with all fruits.”
Elizabeth writes: “It absolutely works! And it really cleans the berries well. I stir them a bit once they’re submerged. My vinegar water is so dirty when I pour it off!”
Christina writes: “Yes I do this with a lot of fruit and some vegetables too! It works!”
Cindy writes: “My daughter shared this tip with me. Works great!”
Sherra writes: “This totally works. I’ve been doing it for a few years.”
PC writes: “WOW! A lot of dirt came off my strawberries! Ive always just rinsed them in running water, I’ve probably eaten way to much dirt in my lifetime. Although, I’ve been cleaning grapes in a vinegar bath for years. Well, I’ll certainly use this hack for everything from now on. I used a Rubbermaid oblong Take Along for a 32 ounce container of strawberries, it worked great. Plus, I used the lid lined with paper towels for them to dry on!”
Tip #2: Store Strawberries in Glass Jar
Want to know how to keep strawberries fresh without vinegar?
Sometimes you simply don’t have time to give your berries a good soak and dry right away.
So here’s another simple trick for how to keep strawberries from molding too quickly…
1: Remove unwashed berries from their packaging, and immediately transfer to mason jars when you get home.
2: Affix lids onto the jars.
3: Then place jars in the very back of your refrigerator (or the coldest part of your fridge). Easy-peasy!
Mason Jar Method Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About The Mason Jar Method…
Sarah writes: “Storing them in a jar before washing will keep them fresh longer.”
Linda writes: “Have 4 containers in the fridge now, 1 from 2 weeks ago with a few berries and the other 3 containers from Saturday. The 2 weeks could easily go another week or 2.”
Rhonda writes: “The jar works great! I tried it last year!”
Mary Jane writes: “In a mason jar with the lid on, in the back of your fridge, they stay good for weeks”
Brenda writes: “I tried it with grapes and it works!”
Tip #3: Freeze Strawberries for Later
If you don’t have time to use your strawberries before they go bad, you can simply freeze them to make them last longer!
Whether you Grow Strawberries, pick them, or load up on them at grocery store sales, sometimes you find yourself in the land of strawberry overload! Which brings me to this simple little trick for How to Freeze Strawberries!
I love freezing strawberries and keeping them on hand for my daily Smoothies… and this easy tip works like a charm!
How to Freeze Strawberries
Wash and dry Strawberries, then slice off tops or hull using a Strawberry Huller. (one of my FAVORITE kitchen tools!)
Flip strawberries over and place in rows on a cookie sheet, allowing space between each one.
Place cookie sheets in the freezer for approx. 1 hour, or until the little cuties are frozen.
Remove cookie sheets from the freezer, pluck off the strawberries, and toss into a freezer-friendly Ziploc, then transfer your bags of strawberries back to the freezer. Now they’re ready to go, and they won’t stick together like one big clump of a monumental strawberry! 🙂
Use your frozen strawberries all year long, like in this dreamy Copycat Strawberry Julius Recipe!
Freezing Strawberries Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About this Freezing Strawberries Method…
Erica writes: “I also freeze mine if they start to go bad. Then I use them for smoothies.”
DeAnn writes: “It worked perfectly!”
Krys writes: “I basically use a similar method for all fresh fruit I’d like to freeze. Baking sheets: not just for baking!”
So what are you waiting for? Give these methods a try, and see just how long you can get those fresh berries to last!
More Strawberry Inspiration
So now that you know how to keep fresh strawberries fresh in the fridge longer, I’ve got even more fun strawberry ideas and strawberry recipes to share with you….
25 Strawberry Growing Tips (How to Grow Perfect Strawberries)
If you want to grow big red juicy strawberries, you need to try these creative Strawberry Growing Tips this year!
Strawberry Lemonade Punch Recipe
I love the perfectly balanced flavor of this easy punch, but I also really love how it only takes 4 easy ingredients.
Fresh Strawberry Popsicles Recipe
Welcome summer with a delicious nostalgic dessert. You’ll LOVE this Fresh Strawberry Popsicle Recipe… it’s so easy with just 3 ingredients!
Cheesecake Filled Strawberries
These EASY 4-Ingredient Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries deliver strawberry bliss in a bite-size package… perfect for parties!
Easy Freezer Jam Recipe
Nothing beats the simplicity of this Easy Freezer Jam Recipe. Strawberry Jam on your morning toast tastes even better when it’s homemade!
Canning Strawberry Jam Recipe
Strawberries are my very favorite berry and this easy no hassle strawberry jam with is such a fun way to enjoy the flavors of summer. It’s sweet, fruity, and so yummy!
Raspberry Jam Canning Recipe
Stock your pantry and make your mornings AMAZING with this easy, homemade, fresh Raspberry Jam Recipe for Canning!
Blackberry Jam Canning Recipe
This easy Homemade Blackberry Jam Recipe for Canning is a sweet temptation that’s easier to make than you might think!
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Growing Green Onions in Water
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Fruit and Veggie Wash
Before you use bite into those fruits and veggies, be sure to use this DIY Fruit and Veggie Wash with Vinegar!
Genius Gardening Tips
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So have you tried this trick for How to Keep Strawberries Fresh yet?
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delphine says
Merci pour ces conseils anti-gaspi C’est tellement bon les fraises
Bonne soirée
Heidi says
Avec plaisir, Delphine. 🙂 Bonne soirée
Christie says
This is a great hack! Thanks so much for sharing how to keep them fresh! I always struggle with this.
Heidi says
You’re very welcome, Christie! It’s amazing how quickly they can go bad, but this trick really does work like a charm! 🙂
Shery Borenstein says
Is there anyway you can combine your How to Keep Food Items fresh into one space that I can share with my daughters? The ideas are great and would help all of us to save some hard-earned money. It always makes me sad to have to throw away food. When it comes to fruit that is just starting to get mushy, I’ll put them in storage containers or baggies and place them in the freezer for smoothies or to use in baking.
Heidi says
Hi Shery ~ I’m so glad you’re enjoying the tips!
You can find all of the ideas for keeping food fresh on this page here: https://thefrugalgirls.com/genius-kitchen-tips-and-tricks 🙂
Janette says
My roommate and I got amazing strawberries at the farmers market the other week and a couple days later they were pretty bad! I was complaining as to how I wished we could have made them last longer. Now I know how! Thanks for sharing!
Don Brandeberry says
I grow my own berries (beginner) and pick some that are not complete ripe. How do I store them to ripen ???? Help
Linda Woodmansee` says
Even easier, a tip I read somewhere ?? , keep unwashed berries in a glass jar with a metal lid. They stay fresh for two weeks or more. It works for all berries, of course, raspberries not quite as long.
Kim says
Hey, thanks for the tip. I was just talking to my son about the strawberries that I bought yesterday and how I wish they stayed fresh/unmoldy longer. Off to try this tip.
Jen @ Cuddles and Chaos says
I’ve been meaning to try this for a while now, but after my last batch of moldy berries I had enough! I have three pounds of strawberries soaking in the sink as we speak! Can’t wait to see the result!
Shawn Lewis says
I have started doing this for all fruits and veggies that I eat the skins of. So far I have done this with apples, berries, grapes, and cucumbers and they have all lasted longer. I’ve had some apples for close to a month that are still good!
bridget says
I tried this but forgot the step of drying them first, yeah instant yuck, so make sure to dry before putting back in fridge.
Nancy says
Thought this was interesting. Tried it with the last batch of store bought… It REALLY worked! Thanks so much!
MaryAnne Keough says
This works so well- I have been using this method for all my berries. I feel that it probobly helps to clean any dirt or bugs off too. White vinegar is a great cleansing agent. Thanks somuch. Haven’t had1 singlemoldy blackberry, blu berry, or strawberry this season!
Julie Lewis says
When you say 1 part…how much does that mean? like 1 cup of vinegar to 10 cups of water? Sorry.. really silly question I know….
Tiffany says
Julie, it means however much you choose to make……for example if you put one teaspoon vinegar, then you’d put 10 teaspoons water. Or cups or anything else. 🙂
India Tolbert says
That’s funny. I was just about to ask that. Thanks for asking and getting my question answered. I’m always wondering about that.
Lusine says
thank youuu,with me the strawberries lasted only for a day before!
Jen says
Good idea. Dr oz also says you can soak strawberries in water for 5min to remove most of the pesticides. So that first and then the vinegar would be an even better idea.
Cassie says
This is a great tip and it works with all kinds of berries, including blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries, too.
Tracy says
I just wanted to be sure, do you not rinse the water/vinegar rinse off after they dry? I would think you taste the vinegar, no?
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
You just changed my life. This is awesome!!
Alethea says
Do you think this will work for grapes??
Jessie says
I use the apple cider vinegar for my grapes and all my fruits.
Reeserl says
I can have white vinegar. Does apple cider vinegar work too?
Cassy says
I use apple cider vinegar and it works just fine. No after taste.
Anshu says
I’m so gonna try this. I just threw away a bunch of moldy strawberries yesterday…ouch. Thanks for sharing the tip.
Constance Vlahoulis says
One more BIG Tip:
On my way to the studio this time a year- I see “The Strawberry Man” everyday. His truck parked along our country road- back filled with baskets of SC Strawberries. So of course- I buy these fresh ones!
He told me HIS TIP for making strawberries last as LONG as possible.
After you wash them (I am adding the vinegar next time too) ::::
place them on a clean dishtowel to dry- NOT TOUCHING each other.
Takes quite a whole to TOTALLY dry- so important to not let them touch.
After they dry- then can tuck them in paper towels in the fridge.
It works!
Carinit says
Use a Paper Towel Lined Egg Flat to Dry Them Separately.
Chris says
Love this tip and have been using this method for years.
After totally drying, I place strawberries in a container on paper towels, not touching, and in layers with paper towels between each layer., still trying to keep the berries separated. Seal the container and place in fridge.
I’ve had 1/2 pallet last more than two weeks using this method.
Sally Bassett says
Thank you so much for this hint. Our strawberries are coming in now and I will try this
Sharon says
Thanks for the tip! No more wasted strawberries!yay
Marilyn says
Thanks for the tip! All of my children are grown and I can’t eat the berries before some appear with mold on them. Can’t wait to try this.
Moreen Clifford says
I do the white paper towel trick with fresh mushrooms,and they last twice as long.
Brooke says
Can you share that trick please?!
Tabitha says
Rinse your mushrooms and repackage them with a paper towel underneath.
Lesley Imre says
You can rinse an put kitchen towel under most fruits that you keep in the fridge, they last much longer and stay fresh.. The Same with fresh herbs- wrap them in kitchen towel and sprinkle water over, roll up and pop them back in the bag and they last for over a week..
Mary says
Tried this 2 weeks ago today with 2 qts of strawberries. It worked perfectly!!!! Ate the final handful of berries today, and they were still good!! Followed directions, even leaving in an uncovered bowl. Thank you so much for this post!!
Jaclyn says
Tried it this week… didn’t let them dry completely because it was 10pm and I wanted to go to bed, but I did cut the greens off, quartered them, and put them in my Pyrex and they are still going strong. Thanks for sharing!
Pat Chubb says
Another use for the ever popular white vinegar…who knew??
Elena says
Just brought strawberries this afternoon. I am going to try this.