How to Keep Fruit Fresh Longer

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If you are trying to eat healthier, but struggling to make the produce last in your kitchen, read on for tips and tricks on how to keep fruit fresh longer! There are so many basic hacks that can save you from throwing out rotten fruits and save your family money while helping them to eat healthier.

Keep scrolling to see how to keep fresh fruit from going bad as quickly.

How to Keep Certain Fruit Fresh Longer

See the list below to help specific fruits last longer in your fridge or even on your counter! We will continue to add to this list as we learn new tips for new fruits, so make sure you bookmark this post for future reference. If there is a certain fruit you are trying to keep fresh that you do not see on this list, leave it in a comment below.

Plastic vs. Produce Bags vs. Glass Airtight Containers

The container you use matters and changes based on what you are storing. A lot of this is related to how much moisture the fruit contains, whether or not it is ethylene sensitive, or if it produces a lot of ethylene. So pay attention to what sort of storage container works best for different types of fruit.

If you find this helpful, check out our cheatsheet on How to Keep Veggies Fresh in the Fridge.

What is Ethylene?

Ethylene is a natural gas released by fruits and vegetables over time to help them ripen. Essentially, it is an aging hormone for plants. Some produce releases more ethylene gas than others, and some produce is considered “ethylene sensitive” meaning it will spoil quickly if near something producing a lot of ethylene.

Because of this, certain fruits should not be stored near one another. Otherwise, you are going to have mushy berries and browning avocados prematurely.

In the list below, pay attention to any notes on what to not store near one another as well as what containers to use. If something is stored in an airtight container, you will not need to worry about what you store it next to.

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Fruit List

Apples: Store them in a paper bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Apples are ethylene producers, so keep away from ethylene sensitive produce. They should last 5+ weeks.

Avocados: Store avocados whole for best results. If unripe, store them at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. If ripe, store them in the crisper drawer. Add a few citrus fruits to the same drawer to keep the avocados fresh longer. If you have sliced avocados, coat in lemon juice and seal the exposed side with a beeswax wrap or cling wrap. Always store them away from bananas, tomatoes or other ethylene-producing produce. After ripe, they will last in a crisper drawer whole for about 3 days.

Bananas: Leave bananas on the bunch and wrap foil tightly around the stems. This will help the bananas to release less ethylene gas and ripen more slowly. Store them on the counter. The length of time they last will vary greatly and depends on how ripe they were at the time you bought them. This method extends their shelf life by 3-5 days.

Blackberries: Fill a large bowl with 4 cups of cool water and 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Add the blackberries and let them soak in the solution for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the berries in a colander then lay them out in a single layer on a kitchen towel. Leave them out to dry completely for 1-2 hours. Moisture contributes to spoilage, so this is key. Refrigerate in a glass mason jar lined with a paper towel and sealed with a tight fitting lid. They will now last at least 2-3 weeks if not longer!

Blueberries: Fill a large bowl with 10 cups of cool water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Add the blueberries and let them soak in the solution for 2 minutes only. Drain and rinse the berries in a colander then lay them out in a single layer on a kitchen towel. Leave them out to dry completely for 1-2 hours. Moisture contributes to spoilage, so this is key. Refrigerate in a glass mason jar lined with a paper towel and sealed with a tight fitting lid. They will now last at least 3-4 weeks if not longer!

Cherries: Store cherries as flat as possible, not piled on top of each other. Keep them dry and towards the back of your fridge for best results. Leave them unwashed until ready to eat or use.

Dates: Dates naturally last awhile, even at room temperature! But to keep them fresh the longest, pack them in a mason jar with a tight lid and store in the main compartment of the fridge, not the drawers or the door. They will last here for 6-10 months!

Want a fantastic date recipe? Check out these mouth watering bacon-wrapped, stuffed dates!

Grapefruit: These can be stored on the counter or in the fridge. They are not sensitive to ethylene, so they can be stored next to any other produce. They should last 1-2 weeks on the counter and even longer in the fridge.

Grapes: Fill a large bowl with cool water and add 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Cut the grapes into small clusters and soak them in the vinegar-water solution for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse the grapes in a colander then lay them out in a single layer on a kitchen towel. Leave them out to dry completely for 1-2 hours. Moisture contributes to spoilage, so this is key. Refrigerate in glass mason jars lined with paper towels and sealed with tight fitting lids. They will now last at least 3-4 weeks if not longer!

Mangos: Keep at room temperature until ripened. Once ripe, move mangos to the fridge. Store them loose, allowing them to breath; don’t pile them on top of each other or stick them in a bag. Keep them away from apples, pears, bananas, avocados, melons, and tomatoes.

Oranges: (see “Grapefruit” above)

Peaches: If unripe, store them on the counter stem-side down in a single layer. If ripe, store them in the refrigerator in a single layer for 2-4 days.

Pears: Keep at room temperature or in a paper bag until ripened. After ripened, move pears to the fridge. These can stay fresh for 2-3 weeks.

Pineapple: Store whole pineapple in the fridge up to a week or on the counter for several days. Cut pineapple can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 weeks in an airtight glass container.

Raspberries: Rinse the raspberries in cold water. Lay them out in a single layer on a kitchen towel. Leave them to dry completely for at least 2 hours, flipping at them some point. You can also use a kitchen towel to gently dab them and speed up the drying process. Moisture contributes to spoilage, so be sure they are fully dry. Refrigerate the berries in an airtight glass container. They will now last for 2 weeks.

Strawberries: Fill a bowl with 10 cups of cool water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Add the strawberries and let them soak in the solution for 2 minutes only. Drain and rinse them in a colander then lay them out in a single layer on a kitchen towel. Leave them out to dry completely for 1-2 hours, flipping at some point. You can also use a kitchen towel to dab them and speed up the drying process. Moisture contributes to spoilage, so this step is key. Refrigerate in a large glass mason jar with a tight fitting lid and a kitchen or paper towel at the bottom. They will now last for 3+ weeks.

Watermelon: For as long as possible, store a watermelon whole at room temperature and out of sunlight. It will keep for a week or two when whole, and it will have better flavor, texture, and nutrition. If cutting the watermelon to store in the fridge, place it in an airtight glass container. It will last another 7-10 days in the fridge.

Not seeing a fruit you want tips on? Leave a comment below with the name of it, and we will add it!

If you found this list on how to keep fruit fresh helpful, bookmark it for future reference and share it with others!