Common wisdom holds that if you want fruits, grains, and vegetables to last as long as possible, you should store them in the fridge. But is that good advice?
It might seem counterintuitive, but some foods really do last longer when you keep them on the counter instead of cooling them in the fridge.
To save money on groceries by making foods last as long as possible, consider storing these 12 items outside the fridge.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more. Not being able to make repairs could leave you in a bad situation — but a home warranty could protect you against surprise expenses.
Whether you’re a brand-new homeowner or you’ve owned your home for years, a plan from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where homeowner’s insurance falls short.
If a covered system in your home breaks down, you can call their hotline 24/7 for assistance to get it repaired. They have a network of over 15,000 technicians that can assist you, making sure any issue can be taken care of swiftly — without breaking the bank.
Not sure if it’s for you? Rest easy: they were named one of the "Best Home Warranty Companies" by US News 360 Reviews and were awarded Best Company's 2020 Consumer's Choice Award. For a limited time, you can get your first month free when you sign up for a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Tomatoes
/images/2023/06/08/fresh-red-tomatoes-on-wooden-table.jpeg)
Your tomatoes will last longer and taste better if you keep them on the shelf rather than in the fridge. Cooling a tomato changes its texture and firmness — and not for the better.
If you have an overripe tomato, stashing it in the fridge can give you an extra day to consume it before it goes bad. But let the tomato return to room temperature just before you eat it.
Potatoes
/images/2023/06/08/fresh-organic-whole-potato.jpeg)
Root vegetables such as potatoes last longer in cool, dark spaces. However, fridge-level cool is too cold for starchy potatoes, which tend to turn sickly sweet in the fridge.
Instead of keeping them in the fridge or on the countertop — where they could be exposed to sunlight and higher temperatures — keep your potatoes in a cool, dark spot in your pantry.
Onions
/images/2023/06/08/organic-onion-in-basket-with-onions-on-cutting-board.jpeg)
Keep your onion out of the fridge until you’ve sliced and diced it. Like potatoes, onions last longer away from direct sunlight and in a dry, cool spot.
Remember, the gasses onions produce as they ripen will cause your potatoes to ripen and rot too quickly. So you’ll need to store both items well away from each other.
Once you peel and slice an onion, store the leftovers in the fridge — preferably in an airtight container that keeps the onion’s smell sealed away.
Stop overpaying when you shop online
Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1
Bread
/images/2023/06/08/fresh-baked-bread-on-wooden-table.jpeg)
Bread and potatoes are both starchy, which is why neither food lasts long in the fridge. Cold temperatures break down starch, turning your bread stale.
To keep your bread fresh, seal it in an airtight bag or wrap it. Then store it in a cool, dry place like the pantry or a breadbox.
If your bread starts turning stale, throw it in the freezer instead of the fridge. That way, you can thaw it slice by slice as needed.
Butter
/images/2023/06/08/butter-sliced-on-wooden-cutting-board.jpeg)
Butter won’t go bad in the fridge, but it will be firmer and harder to spread. If you prefer to have spreadable butter on hand, keep it in a covered butter dish in the kitchen. Salted butter lasts even longer than unsalted.
Just make sure to set your butter away from the oven, stove, toaster, and window. Heat can turn butter rancid, which means it tastes truly awful.
Fresh basil
/images/2023/06/08/fresh-green-basil-on-bowl-at-table.jpeg)
Most fresh herbs do just fine in the fridge, especially when you wrap them in moist paper towels, place the paper towels in an airtight bag, and put the bag in your humidity-controlled vegetable drawer.
Basil can outlast the fridge’s chill if you wrap the leaves, but it’s easier (and tastier) to simply put the fresh-cut basil in a small cup of water on your counter. For best results, cover the basil leaves with a plastic bag.
Garlic
/images/2023/06/08/raw-garlic-with-garlic-cloves-on-wooden-table.jpeg)
Unpeeled heads of garlic can last months if stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Just make sure not to wrap the garlic in plastic or stick it in a bag.
Once you’ve peeled and sliced a clove of garlic, it will last longer if you do just the opposite: Wrap the clove or put it in an airtight container, then store it in the fridge for a few days to a week.
Pro tip: Purchasing your groceries with a rewards credit card can help you earn cash back or other perks.
Bananas
/images/2023/06/08/dozen-of-yellow-bananas.jpeg)
Bananas seem to stay green for a long period of time, then turn brown and mushy practically overnight.
Unfortunately, putting your bananas in the fridge won’t stop this process. The peels will turn dark quickly. Even worse, the banana’s flavor will turn sour and unpleasant.
If your bunch is hovering on the edge of overripening, you can try storing them in the fridge — but don’t wait more than a day to consume them after that.
Cantaloupe
/images/2023/06/08/sweet-orange-melon-in-wooden-tray-with-mint-leaves.jpeg)
Cantaloupe — and any other melons, such as watermelon and honeydew — need to stay on the counter until you slice them. They’ll taste better and may even stay more antioxidant-rich if you do so.
Once you slice the melon, wrap the uneaten portion in plastic or store the chunks in an airtight container. Then, refrigerate and consume within a few days.
Earn 2% cash rewards at grocery stores and Costco
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a powerful rewards card that allows you to earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — including on groceries, even at warehouse stores like Costco.
New cardholders can also earn a one-time cash rewards bonus — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months!
If you’re looking for a powerful rewards card that offers an extended intro APR period, look no further, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card checks that box too!
This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Click here to apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card now.
Peaches
/images/2023/06/08/fresh-peaches-in-white-tray-at-wooden-table.jpeg)
Unless they’re perfectly ripe when you buy them, don’t immediately put peaches — and most other stone fruit, such as plums — in the fridge. Instead, leave them on the counter to ripen, preferably with each fruit spaced a bit away from the others.
To speed up the ripening process, place your peaches or plums in a paper bag or set them in the sun. Once they hit peak ripeness, refrigerate them right away and eat them ASAP.
Eggplant
/images/2023/06/08/fresh-eggplants-at-rustic-table.jpeg)
Like tomatoes, eggplants are easily damaged and spoiled by cold temperatures.
While you want to keep eggplant somewhere cool to make it last, that place ought to be your pantry rather than the fridge.
Acorn squash
/images/2023/06/09/acorn-squash-on-cutting-board.jpg)
Along with other hard-shelled squash, acorn squash should be kept on the counter until ready to cook.
It won’t spoil when left out, so there’s no point in wasting your fridge space on bulky, awkwardly shaped squash. Squash with relatively thin shells, like summer squash, are happiest in the fridge, however.
Bottom line
/images/2023/06/08/happy-woman-using-laptop-while-making-salad-in-kitchen.jpeg)
Knowing the best ways to store food can improve your home cooking by leaps and bounds.
Best of all, it can boost your bank account by saving you from spending additional money on food you already bought and had to toss. And that means you’ll have even more money to spend on your favorite foods.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
- Intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- $0 annual fee
Drawbacks
- Has foreign transaction fee
- No bonus categories
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
- $0 annual fee
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Author Details