How Long Do Strawberries Last | Best Storage Tips
Last updated: 02/04/20
When you hear the name of strawberries, you think of the roundish fruit that you drop in your mouth and savor its delicious taste. We get so engrossed in eating it we usually don’t bother to ask how long do strawberries last.
Strawberries are a delicate fruit that does not have a long shelf life.
Strawberries can be preserved and enjoyed for longer periods if you take caution about the methods that you choose to store it.
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 2-3 days |
| Fridge | 1-2 weeks |
| Cooked Strawberries | 5 – 7 Days |
| Frozen Strawberries | 6-12 months |
| Pickled Strawberries | 2-3 weeks |
- Properly stored strawberries will last 2-3 days at room temperature.
- Freshly harvested strawberries will last for 1-2 weeks in the fridge.
- Cooked strawberries will last for approximately 5-7 days in the fridge.
- Frozen strawberries will last for 6-12 months in the freezer.
- Pickled strawberries last for about 2 weeks if pickled, canned, and stored in a refrigerator properly.
You will discover the shelf life of strawberries, plus learn some tips on how to make strawberries last longer.
As always, use your best judgment when trying to determine when something is no longer edible or safe to eat.
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1 – How Long do Strawberries Last at Room Temperature
Most strawberries’ shelf life is 2 to 3 days in room temperature. Some people wonder whether or not strawberries can stay fresh indefinitely at room temperatures.The main reason is that like all other berries, strawberries are just as perishable.
2- How Long Do Strawberries Last in the Fridge
Shelf life in the refrigerator is likely to be from 5 days to 2 weeks.To maintain shelf life, the strawberries should be stored in an airtight container or in a shallow container covered with plastic wrap.The following measures should also be adopted:
- Select a clean container – Choose a ceramic bowl or container with slits that provide ventilation.
- Storing technique – Place a paper towel on the sides and bottom of your chosen container for soaking up excess moisture that can damage your berries.
- The crisper drawer is it – Transfer them to a plastic container which should be lined with paper towels to absorb moisture and label it so they don’t get crushed by other fruits in the fridge.
3- How Long Do Strawberries Last in the Freezer
You can make your strawberries last forup to 1 year simply by following the instructions given below:
Last Up to 2-4 Months
To keep your strawberries in fine shape in the freezer, just do this:
- Simply cut off the strawberry from the stems
- Place the strawberries in the freezer bag and store it there.
Last Up to 1 Year
This is the ultimate way of preserving your strawberries in the freezer.For every 10 ounces of strawberries, use ¼ cup of sugar.Follow the steps below for best results:
- Gather some sugar, an airtight container, and your strawberries.
- Rinse your strawberries in a pot.
- Cut your strawberries in half or in three pieces and remove stems.
- Put the strawberries back in the pot or bowl and pour your sugar in.
- Gently stir the strawberries until the sugar melts. The mixture should now be thick but not mushy.
- Pour the strawberries in a freezer-safe container and store.
4- How Long Do Cooked Strawberries Last
The shelf life of strawberries can be prolonged when you cook them. Typically, this may add on an additional 5-7 days of shelf lifeSimply follow the instructions given for each dish:
Strawberry Sauce
This sauce is so easy to make and is an excellent recipe for strawberry shortcake.
- Combine sliced strawberries, ⅓ cup sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a medium sized saucepan.
- Bring water to the boil while periodically stirring. Lower heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and simmer 20-23 min or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Stewed Strawberries
This is perfect as a hot sauce that you can pour over your ice cream if you let it cool a little after it reduces down.
- Wash the strawberries well
- Cut strawberries to suit your fancy, small or large
- Add all the pieces in a cooking pan and cook on medium heat stirring now and then
- Juices will begin to ooze out of the strawberries after say 4-5 minutes
- Cook for a few more minutes until a pulpy solution is attained
- Boil for another 2-3 minutes and then turn off the stove.
5- How to Properly Store Strawberries
Before storing your strawberries in the fridge or freezer you should firstly make sure that your strawberries are in the best condition with no defects of any kind.More importantly you could put the strawberries through the ‘vinegar bath’ treatment.
A Bath in Vinegar
A douse of your strawberries in a vinegar and water solution would ensure that they are completely free from any bacteria.Here are the steps for washing your strawberries in vinegar
- Combine a measure of ¼ cup vinegar with 1 ½ cup of water in a measuring cup
- Pour the solution into a glass container and soak the berries for 5 mins.
- Transfer the berries to the colander and rinse with water.
- Dry the strawberries on a paper towel adding to the number of towels as needed.
- Place the strawberries inside a container and line with paper towels
- Make sure you secure the lid properly and label it. Your strawberries should last up to two weeks.
6- How to Know if Strawberries are Bad
Many things can befall your strawberries and they can easily spoil. Even after all the precautions and proper storage techniques you adopt. Below are some of the things that can happen to them.
- General appearance – strawberries that are wilted or shriveled indicate the telltale sign of gradual deterioration.
- Bad odor – any unusual or offensive smell that floats to your nose from your strawberries tells you it’s time to throw them out.
- Color – for strawberries to lose their color, it means they’ve been in storage for far too long and should be removed.
- Skin – it’s true that strawberries have sensitive skins that are easily damaged. Once damaged, contaminants will infiltrate and spoil the berries.
- Touch – in their fresh state, strawberries are firm with a bright red color. If they are soft and mushy throw in your compost pile
Further Reading
7- Methods to Make Strawberries Last
Let’s take a look at a few different ways on preserving strawberries.
Pickling Strawberries
This method of preserving strawberries involves placing the strawberries in a pickling liquid.
Pickling is almost always a liquid that is composed of vinegar, sugar and/or salt. It also can include some other spices that lend well to the pickling flavors that you are most familiar with.
Typically, pickled strawberries will last about 3-4 weeks in the fridge.
Canning Strawberries
Strawberries require the water bath canning method.Most strawberry canning recipes require a small amount of sugar to process them, but there are some recipes that can can them without sugar.You can also make a simple strawberry jelly recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2lbs of fresh hulled strawberries
- ¼ cup of lemon juice or ¼ tsp of citric acid
- 4 cups of sugar
- 1 packet or serving of pectin (We use this one here)
Here are the instructions to make this jam.
- Add the strawberries, lemon or citric acid and sugar to a pot and slowly bring to a boil until the sugar is fully dissolved
- You can either thicken the mixture and stir often or add your pectin in
- Remove from heat once your pectin is stirred in.
- Ladle your hot jam carefully into canning jars. Add your canning lids.
- Process jars in boiling water for 15 minutes, Remove and let cool
The best guide that we use for canning and pickling is the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving.
You can find this book here.
Other Methods To Make Strawberries Last
Dehydrating Strawberries
Dehydrating strawberries will make a perfect snack that you can add to yogurt, baked goods, or granola.
You would need to use some type of food dehydrate it and cook it at 135°F until crisp.
More info
Please do your own due diligence in determining your own set of guidelines.This information provided is at your own risk. Use your best judgment.The shelf lifetimes are based on the following conditions of your storage area:
- Room temperature of 60°- 70°F
- Refrigerator temperature of 35° – 40° F
- Freezer temperature of 0°F or lower.
Check out our guide on ways of preserving food for more information on some of the techniques.
