How to Store Strawberries So They Won't Spoil Quickly

Plus, tips on how to freeze them.

Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture.

Kristy Del Coro is a registered dietitian nutritionist, RDN, and professionally trained chef with more than 10 years of experience in the field of culinary nutrition. Her strong background in nutrition science, sustainable food systems, and culinary education makes her exceptionally qualified to write about food that is good for us and the planet—while not sacrificing flavor.

Emily Peterson is an experienced fact-checker and editor with Bachelor's degrees in English Literature and French.

Have you ever opened a pint of fresh strawberries only to realize that they're starting to spoil? More often than not, perfectly ripe berries tend to go bad just days after you purchase them, which can be extremely frustrating. Not only are fresh berries costly, but tossing them in the garbage is a disheartening waste of food.

Fortunately, there are a few methods to help keep your strawberries fresh throughout the week—and beyond. Keep reading for some crucial strawberry storage tips, plus how to preserve them for longer use!

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When stored properly in the refrigerator using the methods below, strawberries should stay fresh for up to one week. Always examine your berries for mold and other signs of spoilage before eating them.

Transfer unwashed strawberries into a glass food storage container or mason jar and make sure it's sealed tight.

Place a clean, dry paper towel in a container and put unwashed strawberries on top. Close the lid and place the container in the refrigerator.

Soak strawberries in a vinegar solution (one part white vinegar and three parts water) for a few minutes. Then drain them, pat them dry, and place them on a clean paper towel in a glass container. Loosely place the lid on and store it in the refrigerator.

Washing right before you use the strawberries gives you the best chance of keeping your strawberries mold-free for as long as possible, but you can use this pre-washing method if you're looking for convenience.

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If pre-cutting your strawberries before storing them is more convenient, you can use any of the above storing methods to keep cut strawberries fresh. You can also wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Just know that once strawberries are washed and cut, they will deteriorate more quickly than whole, unwashed berries, and generally only last three to four days in the refrigerator.

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Whipping up fresh strawberry purée is a great use for leftover berries. Store the purée in an airtight container for three to five days in the refrigerator and use it drizzled on top of oatmeal, ice cream, or in a yogurt parfait.

You can also freeze the purée for up to three months. When you're ready to use the purée, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, or heat it up in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.

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Yes, you can absolutely freeze strawberries! And unlike some other foods, strawberries can be frozen in almost any form—whole, halved, sliced, or even crushed.

To freeze pre-cut strawberries, which is ideal if you're using them in anything from a delicious dessert to a healthy smoothie, place the berries cut-side down on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet.

Freeze the strawberries for a few hours, then place them in an airtight container and put them back in the freezer. When using this method, frozen strawberries should stay fresh for about 10 to 12 months.

To thaw frozen strawberries, simply move them from the freezer to the fridge, where they should stay for at least six hours.

You can also defrost strawberries by running them under cold water for at least 30 minutes, or by placing them in a bowl within a larger bowl that's filled with cold water. This method takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

Just note that thawed strawberries will appear a bit darker, and boast a much softer texture, so you might not want to use them to decorate a berry cake or other dessert. However, they will work just fine in a smoothie or on top of a bowl of yogurt or cereal.

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There are several ways to preserve strawberries, and one of the most popular methods is to can them. Since it’s preferable to can whole, hulled strawberries, you can also use them year-round in pies, tarts, and more. When picking or purchasing strawberries you intend to can, look for fresh, firm berries without blemishes.

There are two ways to can strawberries—either with or without sugar. While canning strawberries with sugar helps them retain their natural flavor and texture over time, many choose to omit the sweet additive since it’s not necessary.

Whether you preserve your strawberries with or without sugar is really a matter of personal preference, but we recommend using sugar since it helps preserve color and texture.

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To can strawberries with sugar, follow the steps below. You’ll need about three pounds of fresh strawberries to yield one quart of preserved berries.

Not sure what to do with preserved strawberries? We suggest adding them to oatmeal or a yogurt parfait or using them to top ice cream or cheesecake. You can’t go wrong!

Implement these tips when storing strawberries to help them last as long as possible.

Moisture is the catalyst for mold and bacteria growth, so you'll want to minimize your fruit's exposure to it. If you pre-wash your strawberries, dry them thoroughly (you can even use a salad spinner lined with paper towels), and layer paper towels into the container to soak up any additional moisture.

One bad strawberry can quickly spoil the whole container, as mold spreads to its neighbors. When you open the fridge, take a quick peek at the strawberries and pull out any that look suspect to help preserve the rest of them.

It pays to give your strawberries a little breathing room. That makes it harder for microbes to spread from one berry to another.

Yes, you can leave whole strawberries out at room temperature but they won't last very long, especially if the environment is hot and humid. Strawberries should be kept in the refrigerator for freshness. Cut strawberries will deteriorate quickly at room temperature, and should only be left out for two hours; past two hours, cut strawberries should be thrown away.

The best place in the refrigerator to store your strawberries is the crisper drawer, as it does the best job of controlling the humidity levels. The more moisture the strawberries are exposed to, the faster they will deteriorate.

The primary two reasons strawberries go bad quickly has to do with moisture and heat. Strawberries do best in cold, dry environments. The berries porous, soaking up moisture easily, which is why they, along with other berries, tend to rot faster than other less-porous produce.