Strawberries are delicious, nutritious, and healthy. They make great snacks, desserts, smoothies, and even cocktails. But how long do strawberries last before they go bad?
Fresh strawberries taste great, but they only stay fresh for a few days. After that, they get mushy and lose flavor. This means that buying fresh strawberries is a gamble. It’s possible that you may not even enjoy them before they spoil.
But there is hope! In this article, I’ll tell you exactly how long strawberries will last once you’ve bought them from the store. I’ll also share with you the best way to preserve the flavor of your strawberries until you’re ready to eat them.
How Long Do Strawberries Last?
Strawberries are a favorite fruit for many people, but they can be expensive. If you buy them in the store, how long do they last before they go bad? How many days does it take for strawberries to spoil? What is the average lifespan of a strawberry?
The answer depends on where you live and what kind of strawberries you get and the storage conditions. Other factors affect the shelf life of strawberries as well.
Let us look at the shelf life of fresh( whole and cut), frozen, canned, and dried strawberries.
Fresh Strawberries (whole)
Fresh strawberries are available all year round. They should be kept at room temperature and away from sunlight. When you buy them, check their color and smell. If they are bruised or moldy, don’t buy them.
What is the shelf life of strawberries?
- Room temperature: 1 to 2 days
- Refrigerator: 3 to 7 days
- Freezer: 10 to 12 months (best quality)
The shelf life of whole strawberries depends to a large extent on the storage conditions and degree of ripeness of the strawberries at the time of purchase or picking.
Ripe strawberries stored on the countertop at room temperature will keep for about one day, while those kept in the refrigerator will last three to seven days. If you have access to a freezer, frozen strawberries can be kept for up to a year.
For maximum shelf life, store strawberries in the refrigerator.
How long do strawberries keep at room temperature?
Strawberries should only be stored at room temperature if eaten the same or the next day, as strawberries are highly perishable and do not ripen after being picked.
Refrigerate strawberries in their original plastic container or loosely place them in a shallow container and cover them with plastic wrap.
Discard bruised or moldy strawberries before storing them in the refrigerator.
To prolong the shelf life of strawberries, wash them only before eating or using them.
How long do strawberries keep in the fridge?
Stored in the right conditions, strawberries will generally keep for 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze strawberries?
Yes. Rinse the strawberries in cold water then dry them with a cloth. Remove the stems. Spread the strawberries on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for several hours, until the strawberries are frozen solid. Transfer frozen strawberries to an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag and return them to the freezer.
How long do strawberries keep in the freezer?
If stored in the right conditions, strawberries will maintain optimum quality for about 10 to 12 months in the freezer but will remain safe to eat beyond this period.
How do you know if strawberries have expired?
Strawberries that spoil usually become soft and their color deteriorates. Discard the strawberries if mold appears or if the strawberries have an unusual odor or appearance.
If you see any signs of decay, throw them out right away. If you keep them in the fridge, they will last for two to three days.
If you want to extend the shelf life of your strawberries, you can wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer for up to six months.
Fresh Strawberries (cut)
When cut, strawberries start losing nutrients and flavor within a short period. So, when you cut them, make sure that you use them immediately.
How long do cut strawberries keep?
- Room temperature: 1 day
- Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
- Freezer: 10 to 12 months (best quality)
Depending on the storage conditions, cut strawberries will keep for only one day if left at room temperature.
It is necessary to store cut strawberries in the refrigerator. They’re good for up to four days in the fridge and up to one year in the freezer.
To maximize the shelf life of cut strawberries, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or foil, or place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and refrigerate.
How long do cut strawberries keep in the refrigerator?
Stored in good conditions, cut strawberries will keep for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze cut strawberries?
Yes. To do this, rinse the strawberries in cold water then dry them with a cloth. Remove the stems. Spread the strawberries on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for several hours, until the strawberries are frozen solid. Transfer frozen strawberries to an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag and return them to the freezer.
How long do cut strawberries keep in the freezer?
If stored in the right conditions, cut strawberries will retain optimum quality for about 10 to 12 months in the freezer, but will remain safe to eat beyond this period.
How do you know if strawberries have expired?
Strawberries that spoil usually become soft and their color deteriorates. Discard the strawberries if mold appears or if the strawberries have an unusual odor or appearance.
Frozen Strawberries
Frozen strawberries are usually sold in boxes or bags. You can also freeze your fresh berries by placing them on a baking sheet and freezing them for about 2 hours, then transferring them to freezer-safe containers.
What is the shelf life of frozen strawberries?
- Freezer: 1 year (best quality)
The precise answer to this question depends to a large extent on the storage conditions. If stored properly, frozen strawberries maintain optimum quality for about 12 months in the freezer, but generally remain safe to eat after that time.
Store frozen strawberries in the freezer at all times. Don’t let them sit around for too long or else they will start to defrost.
Are frozen strawberries safe to eat after the “best before” date on the package?
Yes, if stored correctly. Frozen strawberries are usually marked with a “best before” date. This is not a use-by date. This is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long frozen strawberries will maintain optimum quality.
How long do frozen strawberries stay safe to eat?
Frozen strawberries stored continuously in the freezer at -18°C will keep indefinitely, provided they have been stored correctly and the packaging is not damaged.
How do you know if frozen strawberries are no longer good?
If any spots or discolorations have developed on frozen strawberries, freezer burn has occurred. This won’t make frozen strawberries unsafe to eat, but it will harm their texture and taste.
Dried Strawberries
Dried strawberries are very popular among bakers and cooks. They are easy to store and transport. You can find them in most grocery stores and online.
How long do dried strawberries last?
Completely dried strawberries can be stored in an airtight container for up to 12 months. To prolong their shelf life even further, Store the berries in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer
Do dried strawberries go bad?
If there is still some moisture in your dried berries, they may mold. If you have a lot of them and are worried about their shelf life, put them in a plastic bag or container with an airtight lid. They will keep for a longer period this way.
Also read: What is the shelf life of strawberry jam?
I hope you enjoyed my article on “how long strawberries last”. Please share your comments below.
