Every expert we spoke to said you’re storing your produce wrong — these practical changes keep food fresh

Say goodbye to spoiled veggies and wasted money.

Key Points

• Experts recommend storing your produce in produce storage containers to increase their longevity.
• It’s best to keep fresh herbs in something like this OXO herb keeper, and berries do better when they’re kept dry and sealed in airtight containers.
• Find more produce-saving solutions, from $12.

If you’re hoping to reduce your grocery bill, the solution isn’t necessarily to buy less food. A better approach would be to make the best use of the food you have by extending its longevity and reducing food waste. One of the biggest victims of unnecessary waste is fresh produce, but we asked experts the best way to keep fruits and veggies fresh and out of the garbage.

“The biggest reason for produce waste is generally due to a lack of knowledge about how to store each type of produce,” says Olivia Wyles, writer at Real Life Recipes. “Knowing which produce belongs in the fridge or on the counter, plus what needs to stay dry versus moist, can replace a mountain of products and cut down on grocery waste.”

She adds that things like spinach, berries, and herbs should be stored in specialized storage containers in the fridge, while other produce, like garlic, onions, and potatoes, should be stored outside of the refrigerator in a cool, dry spot. Even cucumbers and tomatoes should be left out of the fridge, and fruits like bananas, pears, apples, and kiwi should be kept separate from everything else to prevent premature ripening due to excess ethylene gas.

Read on for more expert tips on how to get the most out of your produce and keep it fresh for much longer, plus their recommendations on the products that actually work.

Mistake: Leaving Your Greens Loose in the Crisper Drawer

Solution: Use a Dedicated Produce Keeper Instead

Although your fridge’s crisper drawer is a dedicated spot to store your leafy greens, it might not be doing you any favors when it comes to extended freshness. Leaving your greens loose in the crisper keeps them separate from other foods, but it’s not enough protection from ethylene gas, which can make them go bad faster. This Rubbermaid FreshWorks food saver helps “leafy greens, berries, and chopped vegetables stay crisp much longer than in a plastic bag or loose in the crisper drawer,” says Chef Rena Awada, owner of Healthy Fitness Meals. So, if you’re tired of soggy, spoiled lettuce, give one of these storage solutions a try.

• Rubbermaid FreshWorks Medium Produce Saver, $12
• OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper, $23
• Breezy Home 5-PieceStorage Containers for Fridge with Colanders, $24
• Pomeat 10-Pack Fridge Organizer Produce Storage Containers, $26
• Rubbermaid FreshWorks Large Produce Saver, $20

OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper

The OXO GreenSaver Produce Keeper has a built-in carbon filter that absorbs ethylene gas, “one of the main culprits behind rapid ripening and spoilage in fruits and vegetables,” Awada says. “I’ll wash greens, place them in the keeper, and literally notice them staying fresh for several extra days.” Over 7,000 Amazon shoppers have seen the difference, too.

Breezy Home 5-PieceStorage Containers for Fridge with Colanders

This 5-piece storage container set has a built-in colander that’s breathable and “makes it easy to go from wash, to container, to fridge,” according to Chef Chuck Hayworth, owner of Thankfully Local Private Chefs. Plus, they’re stackable for more efficient storage and come with airtight and leak-proof lids. Just make sure all your produce is dry first.

Mistake: Storing Fresh Produce in Sealed Plastic Bags

Solution: Keep Produce in Containers That Leave Room to Breathe

“Washing produce and storing it in tightly sealed bags creates excessive pooling water, the perfect environment for bacterial growth, and faster rotting,” says Chef Greg Mueller, Director of Culinary Innovations at Recteq. Keeping your produce in the right container can make the difference between added longevity for your fruits and vegetables or “tossing dollars in the trash mid-week,” he adds. So if you’re hoping to get more than just a few days out of your fresh produce, it’s worth trying a different approach. Make sure any washed produce is dry before you store it away, and leave a little wiggle room to prevent any pockets of moisture.

• Razab 24-Piece Airtight Glass Food Storage Containers, $30 with coupon, originally $45
• Hotec 5-Pack Large Fruit Storage Container with Removable Colander, $19, originally $30
• Verel Glass Food Storage Containers with Bamboo Lids, $39
• Earthwise Reusable Mesh Produce Bags, $15
• Silivo Fruit Storage Containers for Fridge, $14 with coupon, originally $20

Earthwise Reusable Mesh Produce Bags

“The problem with most produce storage is that it's plastic, which traps moisture and speeds up the rotting process,” says Lindsey Chastain, writer and homesteader at The Waddle and Cluck. She recommends taking these mesh storage bags with you to the store, along with your reusable grocery bags, when purchasing produce. “It reduces my use of single-use plastics, and I don't have to transfer anything to new bags once I get home. [It’s] super easy, and my produce lasts longer.”

Razab 24-Piece Airtight Glass Food Storage Containers

“In general, I try to avoid single-use plastics whenever possible, and I like to use glass containers that could be multi-purpose,” says Chef Jess Rice, Recipe Development Manager at Budget Bytes. “I feel produce stays fresher longer in glass, too.” She recommends storing fresh produce in containers with a vent on top, like this 24-piece glass set, and leaving the vent open or closed, depending on what you’re storing. “Fresh herbs? Vent open. Strawberries? Vent closed,” she says.

Mistake: Leaving Berries Exposed to Air and Trapped Moisture

Solution: Store Them Dry and Sealed in a Vented or Airtight Container

Along with herbs and lettuce, berries “are usually the first to go,” according to Wiles. But in addition to proper storage, the right prep can also add a few extra days to the shelf life of your favorite fruits. “Soak strawberries for five minutes in 3 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar, then rinse, pat dry, and store them in a sealed Mason jar in the fridge,” Wiles recommends. “Same thing with blueberries, but store them in a paper towel-lined airtight container in the fridge.” Now you can stave off that pesky moldy strawberry hiding in the middle of the bunch, and keep your blueberries and raspberries from getting mushy before you’ve finished them.

• Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Starter Set with Airtight Food Storage Container, $80, originally $90
• Tupperware Plastic Fruits And Vegetables Storer, $33, originally $43
• Skroam 10-Pack Glass Meal Prep Containers, $32, originally $38
• Anwoi Wide Mouth Glass Jars with Airtight Lid, $30
• OXO Good Grips Produce Saver Berry Keeper, 2-Piece Set, $23

Tupperware Plastic Fruits And Vegetables Storer

“For fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, etc), which are notorious for spoiling quickly, I rely on these specially designed Tupperware containers," says Lisa Lotts, owner, food writer, and recipe developer at Garlic and Zest. The ridged bottom keeps fruit elevated above any pooling moisture, and the included venting system allows for necessary air circulation. “I've had ripe berries last for nearly two weeks in this storage,” she adds.

Skroam 10-Pack Glass Meal Prep Containers

“When your produce lasts twice as long, you’re reducing waste and actually enjoying what you buy,” says Joanne Gallagher, co-founder and recipe developer at Inspired Taste. “I love the Skroam glass meal containers because they’re airtight and keep fruits and vegetables fresher for longer. Plus, the clear glass lets you see exactly what you have, so nothing gets forgotten in the fridge or goes to waste.” Line them with paper towels, and these containers can work great for implementing Wyles’s tip for storing blueberries.

Mistake: Keeping Fresh Herbs Too Dry

Solution: Extend Their Life in a Container That Holds Water

“For fresh herbs, treat them as you would flowers,” says Lotts. “Give the stems a fresh cut and place in this OXO storage container or a glass jar half-filled with fresh water.” Scallions and asparagus can be stored this way, too, according to Wyles. If you go the jar route, simply cover the leafy parts in the plastic produce bag they came in, and store them in the door of your fridge for easy access. If you change the water every few days, that will make them last even longer. “I’ve kept parsley and cilantro fresh for 7-10 days this way,” adds Lotts.

• Ball Wide Mouth Glass Mason Jars with Lids, $28
• OXO Good Grips Produce Saver Herb Keeper, $20
• Prepara Herb Savor Eco, $24
• Cole & Mason Fresh Herb Keeper $25
• Novart XXL Glass Herb Saver, $30, originally $40

OXO Good Grips Produce Saver Herb Keeper

This clever OXO herb keeper makes it easy to implement Lotts’s tip. One shopper said it’s “much better than using a plastic bag,” and the removable basket facilitates changing the water regularly, so your herbs will last and last.

Novart XXL Glass Herb Saver

This extra-large herb saver is perfect for those with an abundant herb garden at home who don’t want all the fruits of their labor to go to waste. The main container is made of glass, and the plastic herb basket is connected to a stainless steel core with a knob that allows you to easily lift it out to take what you need. One reviewer said it’s “absolutely the best” out of all the herb keepers they’ve tried, and it’s “big enough to be used to store asparagus as well.”

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