Keeping your kitchen in top shape involves understanding food storage, not just for cleanliness, especially in your fridge, but also for your familyโs health and safety by keeping ingredients fresh. Itโs also about stretching your food budget without sacrificing safety and health.
Different foods need different storage techniques. Learning these tips can help your groceries last longer and stay safe to eat. Letโs begin with:
Add butter on cut cheese
Applying butter to the cut edge of cheese prevents it from drying out. This trick ensures that your cheese stays fresh for an extended period, reducing the likelihood of discarding any leftover portions.
This is how you keep herbs fresh
To preserve the freshness of your herbs and have them readily available for cooking, consider placing them in olive oil within an ice cube tray and freezing them. This method allows you to conveniently retrieve herb-infused olive oil cubes from the freezer when needed for cooking.
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How you should store your asparagus
Think of your asparagus like a bouquet of flowers. Trim the stems, place them in a jar with half-filled water, cover with a plastic bag, and refrigerate. This simple method will keep them crisp for approximately a week.
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Long-lasting berries
To prevent berries from getting moldy or soft too quickly, rinse them with a mixture of water and vinegar before refrigerating. Combine one part vinegar with ten parts water, submerge the berries in this solution, gently swirl and rinse. Raspberries can stay fresh for up to a week, while strawberries can last for a couple of weeks using this method. The diluted vinegar wonโt impart a strong taste to the berries.
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Onions in pantyhose
Try an unconventional method for storing onions: place them inside a pantyhose, tying a knot between each onion, and hang the string on your kitchen wall. Not only is this a clever storage solution, but it also adds a touch of eccentricity to your kitchen decor!
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Tip in storing cheese
An effective method for storing cheese involves wrapping it with wax paper and then placing it in a plastic bag before refrigerating. This prevents moisture loss, ensuring that the cheese stays fresh for an extended period.
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How to keep your guacamole green
If youโre a guacamole enthusiast, hereโs a handy tip to keep it green and fresh: give it a quick spray of olive oil. This simple solution will help maintain the freshness and deliciousness of your guacamole.
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How to make green onions stay fresh
Before tossing out that plastic bottle, consider a unique recycling idea! Repurpose it by placing cut green onions inside. This clever use of a plastic bottle is an excellent way to keep the veggies fresh!
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Onions must not be stored with potatoes
When it comes to storage, itโs inevitable that some vegetables need to be kept together. However, itโs crucial to avoid mixing onions with potatoes. Why? Both onions and potatoes release moisture, and combining them can lead to quicker spoilage for both.
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This can make your fridge more fit for storage
Both fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas, which can accelerate the spoilage of nearby produce. To extend the freshness of your fruits and vegetables, consider placing ethylene gas-absorbing pods inside your refrigerator. This simple trick can help keep your produce fresh for up to three times longer!
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Make your bananas stay fresh for longer
Bananas are quick to spoil, so if you love bananas and want to keep them longer then this tip is for you. Just cover the stalk with an aluminum foil and store it in room temperature. Youโll be surprised at how long your banana will last with this amazing trick.
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Another useful way to store herbs
Searching for additional methods to maintain the freshness of your herbs? Consider investing in an Herb Savor. This product is designed to extend the life of your herbs, claiming to keep them fresh for up to three weeks!
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Storage with the help of paper towel
Paper towels are incredibly versatile. Keep your salad greens fresh for an extended period by placing them in a bowl, covered with both paper towel and plastic wrap. This simple method will help preserve the freshness of your greens.
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Keep apples close to potatoes
While onions and potatoes shouldnโt be stored together, a useful tip is to place apples near your potatoes. This trick helps prevent potatoes from sprouting, ensuring they stay fresh and ready for cooking!
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Wrapping your veggies in foil
Keep certain veggies fresh by wrapping them in aluminum foil. This works well for broccoli, celery, and lettuce leaves. The next time you purchase these vegetables, consider getting aluminum foil to enhance their storage and freshness.
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Re-using plastic bags and bottle caps
Organizing your produce may necessitate separate containers, and if you find yourself needing more than you have, donโt worry. You can easily create your own containers using just plastic bags and bottle caps. The step-by-step guide in this image illustrates a simple way to make them!
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Keeping ginger in the freezer
Preserving ginger for an extended period is ingeniously achieved by freezing it. Slice the ginger into thin layers and store these slices inside a plastic bag. Keep the bag in the freezer, ensuring that the ginger remains fresh until youโre ready to use it in your cooking.
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One rotten apple spoils the bunch
When it comes to storing fruits, particularly apples, pay close attention to their appearance and texture. If one apple in the bunch is already soft or shows signs of spoilage, itโs advisable not to store it with the fresher ones. A single deteriorating apple can accelerate the spoilage of the others.
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How to properly store tomatoes
The storage method for tomatoes varies based on their ripeness. Green tomatoes are best kept inside a paper bag or cardboard box, avoiding stacking, until they ripen and turn red. Once theyโve achieved the red color, you can store them on the counter, but ensure they are not exposed to direct sunlight.
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Keep mason jars rather than plastic containers
Mason jars prove to be excellent companions for food storage. Glass containers are ideal for preserving moisture, and having more Mason jars in your kitchen opens up countless possibilities for extending the freshness of herbs and peeled produce.
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Milk lasts longer when frozen
Cereals are incomplete without fresh milk. However, purchasing milk in bulk can be challenging as it has a limited shelf life. If you prefer buying in larger quantities to avoid frequent grocery trips, consider freezing your milk to extend its lifespan.
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Apples stay fresh longer in the fridge
Apples are fruits that benefit from refrigeration. Storing them in cool areas helps maintain their freshness.
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Roast peanuts before storing them
Before you store your nuts, make sure to roast them. This allows you to store them at room temperature without the concern of them drying up or spoiling.
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Turning containers for sour cream and cottage cheese upside down
This may sound unconventional, but itโs effective! Inverting the tub of sour cream or cottage cheese creates a vacuum effect within the container. This helps slow down the growth of bacteria that can cause these foods to spoil.
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Mushrooms inside paper bag
This tip is effective because the paper bag on which the mushrooms are placed absorbs moisture from them. Just remember not to wash or slice the mushrooms before placing them in the bag.
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Eggs in the freezer
Contrary to popular belief, eggs can be stored in the freezer. Use an ice cube tray to freeze raw eggs, making them easily accessible when itโs time to cook. This method allows you to have ready-to-cook eggs for an extended period!
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Fresh greens inside jars
For optimal storage of fresh greens for salads, consider placing them inside jars. Not only does this method provide an aesthetically pleasing display, but it also keeps the greens crisp and green. Glass, being non-reactive, ensures that no chemicals reach into your food, preserving its quality.
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Honey in glass containers
To prevent honey from oxidizing, ensure it is stored only in glass containers. Avoid using other types of containers to maintain the quality of the honey.
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What to do with left-over sauce
If you have leftover sauce taking up more space in your refrigerator than necessary, hereโs a more efficient storage method that requires minimal space. Use a ziplock bag, create partitions with a sealer, and pour the sauce into each compartment. Freeze the bag, and youโll have conveniently portioned sauce for various occasions.
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This must-have list
If youโre uncertain about what items should or shouldnโt go in your fridge, this list could be exactly what you need! It provides a guide on what belongs in a cool pantry or at room temperature, offering a simple yet beneficial reference.
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Keeping green onion fresh for longer
Extend the freshness of green onions by treating them like flowers in a vase. Place them in a tall, clear glass filled halfway with water. Allowing the green onions to soak up water in this manner will help them stay fresh for a longer period compared to just storing them in the fridge.
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Paper towel for fresher lettuce leaves
To prevent lettuce leaves from quickly spoiling and becoming soft due to excess moisture, wrap them with paper towels. This simple step helps slow down the deterioration process and keeps the leaves crisp.
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Keeping carrots fresh using sand
Believe it or not, sand in your kitchen can be a useful trick to keep your carrots fresh. Utilize a breathable container, such as a cloth box inside a metal case, and add a layer of sand where you can store your carrots. This method helps extend their freshness for a longer period!
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Keeping the surroundings dry
When storing fruits or vegetables, itโs crucial to prioritize a dry environment. Excess moisture can accelerate spoilage, which is particularly inconvenient for vegetarians who canโt always make frequent trips to the grocery store. Ensure both fruits and vegetables are thoroughly dry before storing them to maintain freshness.
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Think before washing
Contrary to common practice, refraining from washing fruits and vegetables until youโre ready to use them is the recommended approach. Washing produce introduces moisture to their peels, which can lead to quicker spoilage. To extend their shelf life, itโs advisable not to wash them before storage.
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Onions and garlic love the dark
Did you know that onions and garlic thrive in cool, dark, and well-ventilated storage environments to maintain their freshness for an extended period? This method, known as curing, ensures these vegetables are kept dry, contributing to their prolonged shelf life.
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Potatoes donโt need to be under direct sunlight
Potatoes should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Exposure may lead to the production of chlorophyll, causing them to turn green, which is undesirable. Instead, store potatoes in a cool, dry place, making sure to keep them away from onions.
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How to properly store an avocado
Maintaining cut avocados can be challenging, but a simple solution is to spray them with lemon or lime. After spraying, place the avocado slices in an airtight container and refrigerate. This method can extend the lifespan to about a day, which is a relatively long time for a cut avocado.
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How to keep grapes fresh for longer
The key to prolonging the freshness of grapes lies in their storage container. Utilize polyethylene bags to store grapes, ensuring they stay fresh for a longer period.
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The best way to store peeled vegetables
Well, glass jars are totally must-haves in storing food for longer. They are best used for storing peeled veggies. With glass jars, you can do a lot of magic to your food, even those already cut and peeled!
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How to store rice
Storing rice is relatively straightforward, as it has a long shelf life. To keep it in good condition, store rice in a cool, dry place in your pantry. For optimal freshness, use an airtight container to ensure it remains dry, allowing it to be stored for an average of six months.
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This is how you store sugar
Sugar has a long shelf life, around a year, but itโs essential to store it properly. Place sugar in an airtight container, away from sources of moisture. Preventing exposure to high humidity is crucial to avoid clumping and ensure the sugar remains in good condition.
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Way to store powdered milk
Powdered milk has a shelf life of at least a couple of years. However, once opened, itโs advisable to consume it promptly. To prevent spoilage caused by excessive moisture, store opened powdered milk in an airtight container for optimal preservation.
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How you should store strong alcoholic beverages
High-proof alcoholic drinks do not expire; in fact, they are often believed to improve in taste the longer they remain in the bottle. To preserve their quality, store them in a cool, dry place and avoid exposing them to excessive sunlight or heat.
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Storing soy sauce
Unopened soy sauce can be stored in a cool and dry place. Once opened, you have the option to refrigerate it. While refrigeration helps retain its taste for a longer period, storing it in the pantry is also a viable choice.
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This is how vinegar should be stored
Vinegar can be stored in a cool and dry place. Given its acidic nature, itโs important to choose a container wisely. Placing it in a jar with a tight lid is a good option, and refrigeration is also a suitable choice.
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Maple syrup in glass bottles
Once opened, maple syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for three to six months. If unopened, it can be kept in your pantry.
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Where to store your veggies inside the fridge
Vegetables are best stored in specific areas of the fridge with a higher temperature compared to other compartments.
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How salt should be stored
Storing salt is a simple process, and youโre likely already doing it right. Place it in a cool and dry container, ensuring the lid is airtight.
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Storing kidney beans
If you have kidney beans in storage and are unsure how to store them correctly, remember this: dry them thoroughly and store them in an airtight container. This will extend their shelf life.
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