News

Dec 07, 2023

Strawberries: How to store, freeze, prevent mold, keep from spoiling

Once you have your fresh strawberries, you need to want to make those beauties last. Strawberries are delicate and can spoil fast. Here are a few key steps to follow. While Michigan's strawberry

Once you have your fresh strawberries, you need to want to make those beauties last. Strawberries are delicate and can spoil fast. Here are a few key steps to follow.

While Michigan's strawberry season is short, properly cleaning and storing strawberries can make them last longer. Here are a few steps to follow.

Storing

Keep the green stems on. Arrange 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.

More:Michigan's strawberry season is here — and it's short: Where to find U-pick farms

More:New Vernors Black Cherry flavor will be available almost exclusively in Michigan

More:Black winemakers take center stage at dinner that honors Juneteenth holiday

Taste of Home magazine recently tested several ways of storing strawberries. One method that worked well, they said, was storing unwashed strawberries in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Place the strawberries on a tray lined with paper towels or refrigerator liners. Place in the crisper drawer and open the vets. This allows "moisture to escape and keep humidity low," according to Taste of Home.

Preventing mold

Some sources say this works and some say don't bother. Rinse the strawberries in a vinegar and water solution. Vinegar is supposed to kill any potential spores of bacteria on the fruit. Mix together a cup of vinegar and three cups of water in a large bowl. Add strawberries and let them sit in the rinse for several minutes. Give them a good swish around and then rinse under cool water. Dry berries thoroughly on a baking sheet that has been lined with several layers of paper towels. Once dry, line a container with paper towels. Place the berries in the container. Cover and refrigerate.

Freezing

Strawberries and most other berries freeze extremely well. It's the best way to stockpile if you've come across a lot of them or want to use them months later to make a quick smoothie or for making jam. Rinse the berries well and pat them dry. Once dry, place them on a parchment- or wax paper-lined tray. Place in the tray in the freezer until the berries are almost frozen solid. Transfer the berries to a freezer bag and return to the freezer, placing the bag flat to save space. This is called flash-freezing. It keeps berries from sticking together after they're packed.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: [email protected]. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press.