Strawberries In A Jar - How to Keep Strawberries Fresh
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Let's Talk About How to Keep Strawberries Fresh for Weeks!
Since The Cross Legacy started a little over three months ago, the âStrawberries in a Jarâ aka #StrawberriesInAJar hack has become incredibly popular, and in fact, gone viral. I am so grateful for our new followers and wanted to create an easily searchable post that specifically addresses how to keep strawberries in a jar fresh for weeks â in fact, for three weeks or more. I have received additional questions since I initially released the strawberries in a jar post, so I thought I would address those here as well.
Letâs get to it!
How I Keep Strawberries Fresh for Weeks
I use a large, stainless steel or glass mixing bowl to wash the strawberries, and pour in approximately Πcup white distilled vinegar (5% acidity) and 10 cups of water.I let them soak for 2-3 minutes, leaving the tops on (the green leaves).
**Important note about timing. ** It is imperative that you only let these berries soak in the solution for 2-3 minutes. If you leave your strawberries in for any longer than this, they will start the fermentation process, and it wonât matter what type of container they are in. Ask me how I know this. đ
I get asked a lot if I reuse the water. The answer is no.
After going through this process once, you will see why I use fresh water every time I wash produce. (It gets pretty dirty in that bowl!) I rinse my strawberries off in a colander (the colander I use is here) before laying them on a towel to dry.
Over the next couple of hours, I periodically check how dry they are and rotate them as needed. When I am sure they are completely dry, I put a piece of a paper towel at the bottom of a gallon-size glass jar (the gallon size jar I like is here) and gently place the strawberries in.
If you do not have access to, or dislike using paper towels, you can put a clean kitchen cloth at the bottom of the jar. The berries will stain it though, so use at your own discretion.
Just a note regarding the gallon size glass jar I use: I buy my organic strawberries from Costco, in a 2-pound clamshell container that costs around $10. I use the gallon size mason jar to store the strawberries because the jar fits the amount of strawberries that comes in the Costco container. If you buy a smaller amount of strawberries, it works just as well to reuse old (but clean!) pickle or spaghetti sauce jars that may be a smaller size â and saves you money, too!
I actually started storing my berries in pickle jars because my daughter was a huge pickle fan and we always had these huge jars left over. It felt good to find a use for something that would have otherwise ended up in my recycle bin.
If you use a pickle jar, you may be concerned about your strawberries tasting like pickles, even after you wash the jar. Well, donât worry. You can solve that problem by sticking the lid in the sun after washing it with soap and water.
However, if you live in a similar climate to mine, you may not see a lot of that bright yellow light they say is in the sky. If this is the case, just stick the lid out on the counter for a few days to air-dry, and youâre good to go.
The Next Day...
Although most of the work of how to keep strawberries fresh for weeks happens on the day when you bring your berries home, there are a few key steps on the following days that involve monitoring your strawberries if you want them to stay fresh. This next step, the day after you put the berries in a jar, is more important than all the other steps that are part of the processâŠ
To Make Sure Your Strawberries Stay Fresh for Weeks, Check for Condensation!
If there is a lot of water on the inside of the jar, take the top off for a couple of hours. I normally just set it right next to the jar so I donât forget to put it back on. If the berries were bone dry before you put them in the jar, you donât need to do anything else except taking the jar off for a couple of hours.
Note: Your strawberries will last longer if the jar you store them in is airtight. I do not puncture holes into the lid for this reason.
If you think you rushed it and the strawberries werenât all the way dry the first day, lay them back out on a towel for a while. Wipe the inside of the jar dry, put a new piece of a paper towel at the bottom, place them back in and put the lid on.
If you check for condensation for a day or two after washing, drying, and putting the strawberries in a jar, they should last for weeks. You wonât need to keep monitoring the strawberries beyond the first few days.
Over the course of the month, if I am downsizing to smaller glass jars like these to make fridge space, I add a new paper towelâ normally at the 2-week mark. I donât cut the tops off until I am getting close to the 3-week mark.
I have found that 3 weeks is the sweet spot for keeping strawberries in a jar. That is when I use them for breakfast toppings, like waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, etc., to finish them up quickly.If you end up not using them for breakfast, just pop them in the freezer for smoothies. No wasted berries here!
What I love about this process is that it is so easy, fast, and cheap! You donât have to spend a bunch of money on specialty products with tons of ingredients.
I hope this post helps clarify the process of how to keep strawberries fresh for weeks, and clears up questions some of you have asked. Oh⊠one last thing! Using the same process from washing and drying to storage and checking for condensation, you can:
â Keep blueberries fresh for 6-8 weeks
â Keep raspberries or blackberries fresh for 2 weeks
4.67 from 3 votes
How to Wash, Dry, and Store Strawberries
Short and sweet instructions on how to make your strawberries last for weeks aka #StrawberriesInAJar
Prep Time5 mins
Active Time2 mins
Total Time7 mins
Author: Amy Cross
Equipment
Timer
- (Video) How to Keep Strawberries Fresh Longer, 3 Ways to Store Strawberries Longer
ΠMeasuring Cup
Paper towel for jar
Materials
- Πcup 5% Distilled White Vinegar
- 10 cups Water
Instructions
Place the berries in the water/vinegar solution.
Set a timer and soak the berries for 2 minutes.
Rinse.
Place berries on a large towel to dry (a few hours).
Set a paper towel at the bottom of a jar and place DRY strawberries in the jar.
Put the lid on the jar and store in the fridge.
Next day, check for condensation in the jar.
If there is condensation in the jar, remove the lid and wipe the inside of the jar with a towel/paper towel to remove the condensation. Place the lid back on the jar and put back in the fridge. You may need to repeat this process every few days as there is still moisture in the berries even though you let them dry on the counter.
Video
FAQs
How do you store fresh strawberries in glass jars? âș
Place your unwashed strawberries in a glass mason jar, and stack them loosely so that they aren't squishing each other. Tightly fasten the metal lid and band on the jar, then put it in the fridge.
How do you keep strawberries fresh in a quart jar? âș- Do not remove the stem, and do not wash the strawberries before storing them.
- Use a clean glass jar that's been washed and dried thoroughly. ...
- Discard any spoiled or bruised fruit. ...
- Place the jar in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
- The strawberries will not get moldy using this method.
I place all types of berries in mason jars unwashed as soon as I come home from the grocery store. Seal it tightly with the lid and stick the jar in the refrigerator. Then we just wash them as we need them. Berries will last well over a week.
Do you wash strawberries before storing in mason jars? âșOne of the cardinal rules of keeping berries mold-free is to leave them unwashed until the moment before consumption. But, by washing your berries in a solution of vinegar and water, you can extend their shelf-life by days (sometimes even weeks!).
Why do strawberries last longer in glass jars? âșSupermarket stored berries usually last for an average of 5 days before developing mold, so putting them in glass jars sounds like a very good idea. Just seal the jar to make it airtight, and voila, you can have fresh strawberries for even 3 weeks.
How do you make fruit last longer in a jar? âșVinegar will help to rid the fruit of germs and bacteria that cause it to go rotten. If the fruit isn't washed before storing it in a mason jar, the bacteria will spread, and the fruit won't last very long. To avoid having fresh fruit go bad inside a mason jar, it's essential to wash and dry it properly before storage.
Do berries last longer in glass jars? âșMy tests proved that the best way to store fresh strawberries to make them last longer was to place unwashed strawberries in a glass storage container with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate them.
Do berries keep better in glass jars? âșBy putting the fruits & veggies in sealed jars straight into the fridge. They last about twice as long as they would in the plastic, BUT they won't last that long⊠because you'll eat them before they have a chance to spoil.
What is the hack for keeping strawberries fresh? âșWhat is this amazing tip? Just keep it in an airtight jar in your fridge. "If you put your fruit, like strawberries, in a glass jar in the refrigerator, they stay fresh for 2 to 3 weeks!" This method of storing food is actually pretty popular amongst the zero-waste community.
How do you make fresh strawberries last longer? âșRinse with vinegar solution: 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 in the refrigerator.
Why do mason jars make fruit last longer? âș
Because mason jars are air tight, they keep the produce from spoiling as quickly.
What is the jar method? âșThe jar method works by splitting up your money into many different categories. At the beginning of the month, or whenever you get paid, instead of having one bank account balance, you divide up the money you received into your jars.
Why do berries last longer in jars? âșAs mentioned above, glass jars keep out air, which lengthens the life of the produce. Glass jars are a safer, healthier alternative to plastic.
Should strawberries be stored in an airtight container? âșColanders are perfect for strawberry storage, allowing air to circulate freely. Unlike whole berries, once strawberries have been cut or hulled, they should be stored in an airtight container to protect the exposed flesh from mold and bacterial development, significantly reducing shelf life.
Do berries last longer in air tight containers? âșYou don't want to use airtight containers here. For easy and efficient storageâsans paper towelsâuse produce-specific storage containers that promote airflow to help keep those berries fresh.
How do you keep strawberries from molding? âșArrange freshly picked strawberries in a single layer on a shallow plate or pie plate lined with paper towels. Cover or fit into a large plastic sealable bag and then seal the bag and refrigerate. Stored this way, strawberries should last at least five-seven days. The strawberries should stay dry and cold.
Should I put a paper towel in with my strawberries? âșTo keep berries fresh, place them on top of a paper towel in a sealed container to absorb excess moisture and reduce chances of molding.
Should I put a paper towel under strawberries? âșTransfer the unwashed strawberries into a tight-fitting container with a paper towel-lined bottom and lid on. The paper towel absorbs excess moisture. Keep the strawberries on a shelf in the refrigerator. Leave green caps on, and wash when ready to eat.
Should I store strawberries with a paper towel? âșKeeping your berries in an airtight container with paper towels will keep the berries fresh for at least two weeks.
Does storing strawberries in water make them last longer? âșThe hot water bath is said to suppress mold growth, thus making the berries last longer.
Does soaking strawberries in vinegar make them last longer? âș
Vinegar Bath, fresh for up to 2 weeks
One of the great things about vinegar is that it destroys harmful bacteria so bathing your strawberries in it will keep them fresh longer. And don't worry about your berries tasting like vinegar. You'll be washing it off.
Put the strawberries into a medium-sized bowl and sprinkle them with sugar. The sugar will pull the juices out of the berries and form a sauce in about 15 minutes. The longer the mixture sits, the saucier it gets. This recipe keeps for about three days in the fridge, but you can freeze it to keep longer.
Why do berries last longer in mason jars? âșBecause mason jars are air tight, they keep the produce from spoiling as quickly.
Will blueberries stay fresh in a Mason jar? âșA great way to help make your strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or other berries of choice last longer is to store them in a Mason jar or reusable glass jar with a firm closing lid. By doing this, you can extend the life of the fruit.
How do you make strawberries last longer? âș- Wash strawberries only when you're ready to eat them. ...
- Keep them as whole berries. ...
- Line a plastic or glass container with paper towels. ...
- Place the strawberries in a single layer inside the container. ...
- Tightly seal the container and place it in the refrigerator.
Place your unwashed strawberries on top in a single layer, then cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use, ideally within seven days. If you notice one of the strawberries going bad or turning moldy, immediately remove it and discard.
Should you wash strawberries in vinegar? âșThe most effective way to clean pesticide residue off of strawberries is to submerge them in a vinegar bath. In a bowl, mix four parts water with one part white vinegar, then let the strawberries soak in the bowl for 20 minutes. Rinse the strawberries thoroughly with fresh cold water to clean off the vinegar.
Do strawberries last longer in mason jars? âș"If you put your fruit, like strawberries, in a glass jar in the refrigerator, they stay fresh for 2 to 3 weeks!" This method of storing food is actually pretty popular amongst the zero-waste community.
How do you store fruit in a Mason jar? âșLeave the fruit out to dry on a tea towel or paper towel. Once dry, transfer the fruit to mason jars and seal up those lids. This is the best way to make your fruit last, particularly berries, which tend to be very prone to mold and bacteria buildup.
Do grapes last longer in mason jars? âșMason jars are airtight and will keep the grapes fresh for a long time. Plus, they're easy to store and look great! To store grapes in mason jars, start by washing them thoroughly. Then, remove any stems and leaves and cut the grapes in half if they're large.