What should you store in the fridge?
19 March 2025
You come home with your groceries, and without thinking, you almost put everything in the fridge-freezer. Isn’t that the best place to keep items fresh? Not always! Some products actually lose their flavor, texture, or shelf life in the cold. A good example is the tomato: in the fridge, it becomes mealy and loses its sweet taste. But what about other vegetables, fruits, and bread? We’ll tell you which common products are best stored in or out of the fridge. This way, your groceries stay fresh longer, and you can avoid food waste.
Products to store outside the fridge
The following products don’t do well in the cold and stay fresher and tastier when stored outside the fridge:
Bell peppers
Many people put bell peppers in the vegetable drawer of the fridge, but that’s not the best choice. They lose their crunch and flavor in the cold. The best place to store them is in a cool, dark place outside the fridge, such as a pantry. This way, they stay fresh longer and retain their characteristic crunch.
Bananas
If you put bananas in the fridge, you’ll quickly be in for an unpleasant surprise: they turn black and become tough. This happens because the cold disrupts the ripening process. Always store bananas at room temperature, for example, in a fruit bowl. This way, they stay sweet and soft.
Bread
Bread dries out more quickly and becomes tough in the cold. Want to keep it fresh longer? Store it in a breadbox or a paper bag. For even longer shelf life, you can freeze bread and thaw slices as needed.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are another item best kept out of the fridge. The cold makes them mealy and causes them to lose their sweet flavor. Place them on a plate and eat them within a few days for the best taste.
Potatoes
If you store potatoes in the fridge, the starch turns into sugar. This gives them a sweet, grainy taste, which isn’t ideal for most dishes. The best place to store potatoes is a cool, dark cupboard or cellar.
Products to store in the fridge
The following products are best kept in the fridge:
Eggs
The stable, low temperature prevents spoilage and keeps them fresh longer. Store eggs in their carton to prevent them from drying out and absorbing odors from other products.
Leafy greens and cabbage
Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, bok choy, and endive stay freshest in the fridge. Cabbage varieties like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts should also be stored here. Keep them in the vegetable drawer to prevent them from drying out. Pre-cut vegetables, like grated carrots or stir-fry mixes, should always be refrigerated to prevent spoilage.
Freezing vegetables and fruits? Avoid these products
You can often freeze vegetables and fruits, which is handy for having a stock at home. But not everything can go in the freezer. For example, cucumbers and lettuce become limp and watery after thawing. Tomatoes also lose their structure unless pureed for sauces. Potatoes should not be frozen raw, but you can cook them first and then freeze them. Fruits with a high water content, like watermelon and orange slices, become mushy after thawing.
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