How to Keep Berries Fresh

April 10, 2023 by Lisia Childs

It’s so frustrating to buy fresh berries only to find they’ve turned moldy after just a few days. Don’t despair. I’m going to teach you a few simple techniques to keep berries fresh for twice as long as they would if left to their own devices.

How do I keep my berries fresh?

Berries frequently carry surface bacteria that can grow and cause spoilage.

How do you keep berries fresh?

Killing the surface bacteria, will keep the berries fresh much longer. Mine last between 2 and 4 weeks.

How to Keep Berries Fresh for weeks

This process takes some extra time and effort on the front end, but when you have beautiful, fresh berries for several days, and even weeks, it’s worth it.

Easy Step-By-Step Instructions for How to Keep Berries Fresh

How do I keep my berries fresh?
Submerge your berries in a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar. Swirl the berries around to be sure that they’re thoroughly washed in it. I let mine soak for a few minutes, too, just to be sure.
While they’re in the vinegar bath, be sure to wash the container they came in, and dry it thoroughly. There’s no point in killing bacteria on the berries if there’s still some in the storage container.
How can I keep my berries fresh?
The next steps are very important. You must completely dry the berries before you put them in the fridge. Don’t rinse them, but simply drain the vinegar water. Then I put them in a salad spinner to speed up the drying process, but if you don’t have one, you can still dry them on towels. It will just take a little longer.
How to Keep Berries Fresh
How should I keep my berries fresh?
Law them on towels in a single layer, and allow them to dry completely. Another tip to speed up the dry time is to pat the tops with towels. I cannot stress this point enough:
MAKE SURE THE BERRIES ARE COMPLETELY DRY BEFORE YOU PUT THEM IN THE FRIDGE!
How do you keep berries fresh?

For raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries: Simply return them to their clean original containers, and refrigerate. If you store them in a crisper drawer, be sure that the vent is open all the way.

For strawberries:

How to keep strawberries fresh for longer
Put the clean dry strawberries in jars, and screw the lids on tight. Then store in the refrigerator until ready to use.