How to store strawberries so they stay fresher for longer 

You know the feeling. You’ve stocked up on strawberries for tomorrow’s breakfast – thinking pancakes, maybe even a romantic little surprise – only to discover they’ve already gone soft and spotty overnight. Or worse, your kids have “helpfully” put the punnet back in the fridge half-open, so now you’ve got a science project growing in the fruit drawer. So, if you’ve ever asked, “How do I keep strawberries fresh longer?”, you’re definitely not the only one.

The good news is, there are a few simple tricks to help you keep strawberries fresh, whether they’re from the supermarket or picked on a sunny day out. With these tips, your berries will last longer –giving you more time to enjoy them together with the ones you love, instead of arguing over who left the fuzzy ones behind. 

1. Start by sorting and inspecting the strawberries  

Before you throw them straight in the fridge, give your strawberries a once-over. Storing strawberries that are already bruised or mouldy will only drag down the rest with them.  

Instead, gently tip the strawberries out of their plastic container. Sort through them, removing any mushy or suspicious-looking ones. If the good berries feel a little damp or sticky, now’s the perfect time to gently pat them dry using a soft piece of Plenty kitchen roll.  

2. Choose where to store strawberries 

People often ask, “Do you put strawberries in the fridge?” Well, that depends – are you planning to eat them tonight with your partner, topped with a dollop of cream or forget about them until they’ve turned into a fuzzy surprise at the back of the drawer?  

Either way, here’s a quick guide you can follow whenever you’re dealing with strawberries: 

• Planning to eat within 1–2 days? You can store it at room temperature, in a cool, dry spot, out of direct sunlight. But keep in mind that they will spoil faster this way.
• Planning to eat within 3–7 days? The fridge is your best bet, but only if they’re stored correctly. 

If you’re wondering where to store strawberries for a longer life, the fridge usually wins. But how you store them can make all the difference.  

3. How to store strawberries in the fridge the right way 

Like any relationship, to keep strawberries fresh in the fridge, you need to give them a little bit of TLC. Here’s the best way to store strawberries in the fridge: 

• Line a clean container with a sheet of Plenty kitchen roll - it’ll absorb moisture and help keep the strawberries dry while they sit.
• Place the strawberries on a single layer, unwashed and with the green tops still on.
• Add another sheet of kitchen roll on top.
• Cover the container loosely with a lid or breathable cling film wrap. Don’t seal it airtight.
• Store the container on a fridge shelf, not in the back or in the vegetable drawer, where it can get too cold or damp. 

This is one of the best ways to preserve strawberries and helps them stay sweet, plump and fresh for longer. 

Keep strawberries fresh with vinegar  

Did you know a splash of vinegar can help your strawberries last longer? It might sound odd, but this little trick slows down mould, so your berries stay fresher for days. Think of it as giving them a mini spa day – without you having to sniff suspiciously at the punnet and wonder if it’s safe to still pop one in your partner’s lunchbox. Here’s the best way to preserve strawberries with vinegar, no lab coat required.  

• Mix one-part white vinegar with three parts water in a bowl.
• Soak strawberries in the vinegar solution for two to three minutes, giving them a gentle swirl.
• Drain the solution and rinse the strawberries under cold water to remove the vinegar taste.
• Pat the strawberries thoroughly using a sheet of kitchen roll. Make sure the strawberries are completely dry before storing them away.
• Store them using the fridge method mentioned above. 

This rinse helps knock out mould spores and is a clever little hack if you’re prepping a big batch of strawberries ahead of time. Just be sure to follow it with proper fridge storage.

Storing strawberries: Can you freeze them? 

The answer is yes! Freezing is one of the best ways to preserve strawberries when you’ve got more than you can possibly eat in a week (we’ve all been a little too ambitious at the fruit aisle). Whether you’re prepping for smoothies or saving seasonal fruit for later, the freezer’s your friend. To freeze strawberries properly:  

• Wash and dry them thoroughly.
• Hull the strawberries by removing their leafy tops.
• Lay them out on a tray (not touching) and freeze until solid.
• Once fully frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. 

Once thawed, they won’t have that same juicy bite, but frozen strawberries are great in smoothies, baked treats, or jam. 

What not to do when storing strawberries 

Learning how to store strawberries is just as much about avoiding common mistakes as it is about using the right techniques. Here are some key things not to do if you want to keep your strawberries from looking like they’ve been on Frankenstein’s operating table: 

• Don’t wash strawberries before storing. Washing adds moisture, which speeds up spoilage. Only wash this fruit just before eating or prepping.
• Don’t store strawberries in sealed plastic bags. Airtight containers without ventilation trap moisture and encourage mould growth.
• Don’t pile strawberries too high. Stacking can bruise the berries at the bottom and shorten shelf life.
• Don’t remove the green tops until you’re ready to eat. Hulling them too early speeds up deterioration.
• Don’t ignore one mouldy berry. Like the old proverb about apples, just one can spoil the bunch. 

Dodging a few common mistakes can make all the difference when you’re trying to keep strawberries fresh in the fridge or planning for longer-term storage. 

Strawberries might be delicate little divas, but they don’t have to be high maintenance. Whether you’re figuring out how to keep strawberries fresh in the fridge, giving them a quick vinegar bath, or popping them in the freezer for later, a little prep goes a long way.  

With the right tricks, you can stretch their sweet life a little longer and spend less time throwing out fuzzy fruit and more time actually enjoying them with the ones you love. Because let’s be honest, nothing kills the mood faster than serving up strawberries with more fluff than your favourite slippers. 

Does your fridge need organising? Check out our article on how to clean your fridge quickly.