15 Foods That Should Always be Stored in the Fridge
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The fridge is one of the best inventions there is to keep our food fresh, but not everyone knows what to put in there. You may be sure that your pantry would keep your food in place, but there are some foods that need to be placed in the fridge to keep them fresh. By keeping these foods out of the fridge, you’re subjecting them to spoilage, wasting your groceries, and occasionally suffering the ‘ugh, is this still good’ sniff test.
Knowing which foods need to be put in the fridge is useful if you’re an old pro home cook or just making sure your snack doesn’t spoil for the week. They chill because it preserves their flavor and their texture and it preserves their safety. If you want your food to last longer and taste better, here are the foods you should always keep in the fridge.
Dairy Products
It’s one that might seem obvious, but I’ll repeat it anyway. Dairy products, they don’t belong in the fridge. Milk, cream, yogurt and cheeses spoil quickly if left out in warmer temperatures. Bacterial growth slows down when we keep dairy in fridge keeping them fresh and safe for long. Did you forget that milk carton you left out after breakfast? Well, don’t do that anymore! Asap, tuck it back in the fridge!
Eggs
Eggs can be a little tricky. Some countries store eggs at room temperature, but most (including the U.S.) wash them prior to sale, thereby removing their natural protective layer. Without that, you are more likely to have bacteria and spoilage. For that reason, store them in the fridge for the sake of not getting any surprises.
Cooked Leftovers
After you prepare a huge pot of pasta or extra chicken for the week, those leftovers go directly back into the fridge. Leaving them out at room temperature can make them a bacteria playground. For safety’s sake, leave it out for no more than two hours; refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible and within two hours of cooking to lock in both flavor and safety.
Butter
You know, maybe you’re like, ‘OK, that’s fine. Butter lives well on the counter.’ Well, yes and no. Many people like room temperature butter so that it is soft and spreadable, but if you put it in the fridge it will last longer as long as you don’t need to use it all right away. If you are a slow butter user, the fridge is your butter’s best friend.
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro and basil tend to wilt quickly, if left on the counter. Place them in a damp paper towel and stick them in the fridge, and they’ll stay crisp and flavorful just a little bit longer. However, you can put the stems in a glass of water and loosely cover them with a plastic bag (sorta like a mini herb bouquet!).
Berries
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, can and should all go in the fridge. The berries spoil fast at room temperature if they are a little too ripe. Instead store them in a shallow container with paper towels on the top to absorb the excess moisture and on the bottom to keep the mold away.
Condiments
Most condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise should be kept cold once opened (in your fridge), but then are always fine sitting out sometimes. Yes, these sit out on the table at restaurants, but refrigeration helps to keep them fresh and stop them from spoiling for at home use. Plus, who wants warm mayo?
Nuts and Nut Butters
In warmer places, nuts and other nut butters can go rancid if they spend too long (they can also go rancid too early if they’re refrigerated, but that’s another story altogether). They should be stored in the fridge because it will keep their oils and flavor. More natural nut butters don’t have preservatives to keep them fresh at room temperature though. If you put that jar in the fridge, your peanut butter will stay good for months!
Fresh Meats
It’s common knowledge to keep raw meat in the fridge. For food safety, keep whatever beef, chicken, pork, or fish you are cooking chilled. If you aren’t going to use it within a couple of days, then freeze it instead — but don’t ever leave raw meat sitting out on the counter.
Leafy Greens
Lettuce, spinach and kale are utterly the most perishable veggies around! The fridge is where you want to keep them if you want them to stay crisp and ready for salads or smoothies; stick them in a plastic bag or container with a paper towel to absorb any moisture that will cause them to rot.
Maple Syrup
Once opened, a bottle of maple syrup is best stored in the fridge. Honey has natural preservatives that maple syrup doesn’t have, and maple syrup can grow mold if not kept out of direct sunlight. A chilled syrup bottle will keep your pancake topper fresh and delicious for months.
Apples
Apples will stay a bit longer at room temperature, but will keep in the fridge. Keeping them cool prevents them from ripening too quickly, and keeps them crisp. Plus, It’s super refreshing also when you have a hot day!
Avocados
Fridges are perfect if you have a ripe avocado and you’re not ready to eat it yet. Slower ripening is a result of cooler temperature and allows you an extra day or two before it turns to mush. But … unripe avocados won’t ripen in the fridge!
Pickles
The Kitchn reports that pickles in jars on the shelf might sit untouched, but once you open that seal, you have to get it to the fridge. They help keep the brine from spoiling, and they keep them crunchy. Warm pickles? No thanks.
Opened Wine
It may not be a ‘food’, but it’s worth it. If you’ve opened a bottle of wine – particularly white or rosé – then stick it in the fridge. Even red wine can use a little fridge time if you won’t be drinking the whole bottle in a day or two.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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