18 Ways You're Improperly Storing Groceries That Are Cutting Down Their Shelf Life

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Simply Recipes suggests cutting off the stems of tender herbs, like parsley, cilantro, and basil, and ensuring the leaves are dry before dropping them in a small cup of water. Then, place a loose plastic bag over the herbs for optimal freshness preservation. The herbs should stay fresh for up to two weeks.

For hard herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, Ree Drummond of Food Network's "The Pioneer Woman" suggests rolling them loosely in a damp paper towel before placing them in a resealable plastic bag.

They should stay fresh for up to two or even three weeks, depending on the herb. 

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Food52 said that lemon juice can help keep sliced avocados fresh.

Whether you're keeping half an avocado for later, or want to enjoy some pre-sliced avocados on a salad you're having for lunch, swipe a little lemon juice on it to help prevent premature browning.

If you're only using half of an avocado, it's best to leave the side with the pit intact for storage because it'll help keep that part of the fruit fresh. 

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Although ripened avocados keep best in the fridge, unripe fruit should be stored on the countertop.

Still Tasty, a website that provides information about the shelf life of foods, recommends storing avocados at room temperature until they're ripe to keep them fresh longer. 

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Healthline says storing freshly washed fruits and vegetables in the fridge can actually significantly reduce their lifespan.

Adding moisture to the produce speeds up it's decaying process, so wait to wash it until you're ready to eat it. 

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Fruits and vegetables produce different gases, which can cause non-similar produce to go bad quickly.

To avoid this, it's important to store highly gaseous produce, like apples, bananas, and avocados, by themselves. Less gaseous produce, like broccoli, carrots, and potatoes, can be stored with each other, but should still be kept away from the others.

Other produce, like bell peppers, berries, and kale, can be stored pretty much anywhere.

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The Kitchn suggests wrapping whole celery stalks in tin foil before putting them in the crisper drawer of the fridge.

Avoid cutting or washing stalks before storing and make sure everything is tightly wrapped to ensure it stays as crisp as possible. 

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PopSugar says there are a few different ways to store tomatoes depending on their freshness.

Unripened green tomatoes belong in a paper bag with the stem facing down, whereas ripe tomatoes should be stored at room temperature, separated from each other, and away from sunlight.

You can put an overripe tomato in the fridge to prevent it from ripening more, but you should let it sit out a few minutes before cooking with it to restore its flavor. Healthline warns that storing tomatoes in the fridge can actually cause them to lose flavor and nutrients. 

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Like with all produce, you should wait to wash berries until you're actually ready to eat them. This is especially important for these fruits because they are extremely delicate, and added water can lead to early molding. 

The Kitchn suggests soaking them completely in water and then leaving them in a colander (or any well-ventilated container) on a shelf in your fridge. It's best to keep them out of the crisper drawer. 

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Ken Monteleone, the owner of Fromagination Cheese Shop, told Business Insider the best way to store cheese is by carefully wrapping it in cheese paper (wax paper or parchment paper can also suffice) and then placing it in an unsealed plastic bag. 

"The paper creates a barrier between the cheese and the plastic, while the plastic keeps it from getting dry," he said. 

Adam Brock, the director of food safety and quality at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, also told BI that pungent cheeses should not be stored next to aromatic foods, like citrus fruits, because they can absorb each other's flavors.

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Your milk and creamer may have found homes in the fridge door, but Real Simple's food reporter Kimberly Holland says dairy products should actually be on the middle or bottom shelf.

Since people open and close a fridge regularly, the temperature of the door can be inconsistent, which means your milk could spoil a lot quicker.

The middle and bottom shelves, especially near the back of the fridge, tend to keep the most consistent temperature. 

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Your fridge door isn't doing you any favors when it comes to keeping eggs fresh, either.

Eggs.ca recommends storing them on a shelf in the back of your fridge for a more consistent temperature. 

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If you have no intention of eating your store-bought meat within a few days of purchasing it, you can keep it fresh by storing it in your freezer.

The USDA recommends only storing uncooked poultry parts in the freezer for nine months (whole uncooked poultry can stay for a year) and uncooked meat for two months to a year, depending on the cut.

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The National Coffee Association says coffee should be used as soon as possible after it is roasted for the freshest taste, so freezing beans isn't ideal.

The beans are very susceptible to absorbing moisture, which can easily lead to freezer burn. The best storage method is an air-tight container in a dry, dark place like a pantry. 

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Katelyn Nolan Shannon, a research and development chef at Sweetgreen, told BI that greens like kale and lettuce stay freshest when they're washed, dried, and wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel.

After that, they can then be stored in a large, loosely-sealed plastic bag.

"The plastic bag acts as a barrier and assures that the paper towel won't freeze to the shelf or drawer in your fridge," she said. 

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The Kitchn says the ultimate way to keep ginger fresh is to put it in a resealable plastic bag with all the air pushed out and store it in the fridge's crisper.

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Epicurious says putting your bread in the fridge makes it go stale faster, so the best way to keep bread fresh is to store it at room temperature on your counter or, better yet, invest in a bread box.

The site also recommends freezing your bread to keep it fresh for up to three months if you don't plan on eating within a week or so.

If you go for the freezer method, it's best to cut the loaf into slices or sections first because continuously defrosting and re-freezing bread will diminish the bread's flavor and texture. 

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Australian pineapple producers Pure Gold Pineapples recommend storing whole, unripened pineapples on your countertop until they achieve your desired color.

Keeping uncut pineapples at room temperature is ideal so they can continue to ripen, but once you cut them, the chunks should be stored in the fridge to avoid browning. 

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Food Network says the best way to store mushrooms is by removing them from the container they were sold in.

Once you wash them to remove excess dirt, dry the mushrooms thoroughly, wrap them in paper towels, and store them in a paper bag in your fridge for optimal freshness. 

This story was originally published in September 2018 and most recently updated on February 11, 2025. 

Read more:

• 14 foods that can last longer than you think
• 15 foods you can eat past their expiration dates
• Chefs share 10 of the most freezer-friendly foods
• 14 vegetables you're storing the wrong way