How to Wash and Store Berries So They Stay Fresh Longer

Fresh blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries, and strawberries are some of summer's most sought-after seasonal treats. Knowing how to wash berries and store them properly will keep these jewel-like fruits fresh so you can enjoy them for longer. Whether you're buying a pint at the grocery store, loading up at a local farmers market, or growing your own in the backyard, our tips will make sure you select the best and keep them at their peak, whether that means eating them as soon as possible, freezing them for later, or using them in a special dessert.

How to Choose Berries

Before placing a container in your shopping cart, inspect what's on the inside. Check for mold, super soft spots, and discoloration on the berries. Blueberries that have shriveled a bit and lack firmness are likely to go bad within a day or two of purchase. Mushy, dark red spots on strawberries and raspberries are also a sign that they're on their way out.

To ensure peak freshness, shop for seasonal produce at the farmers market; farmers usually pick produce for sale the morning of or the day before the market, which means you're getting truly farm-fresh produce with a longer shelf life.

How to Wash Berries

Most berries should not be washed until they are being used. Excess water can cause premature spoilage for delicate, antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries and raspberries, even gooseberries.

Holding a package of berries under running water is not the correct approach: The pressure of the water can cause berries to squish, particularly if they're packed on top of each other in a plastic container. Plus, excess water droplets will remain in the package after washing and can cause berries to get soggy. The right approach is:

1. Fill a large bowl with cold water, then gently place the berries in a colander and dip it in the water bath. (This results in an even wash that protects the berries.)
2. Afterwards, transfer the berries to a paper towel-lined, airtight container and place in the refrigerator.

Cleaning Strawberries With Vinegar

As strawberries are regularly featured on the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" of the produce items most likely to have pesticide contamination (this year, they top the list), it's best to buy organic and to be extra careful with cleaning.

Washing berries in water is a good way to get off obvious dirt and grime and an efficient way to wash strawberries. For an even deeper clean, dip them in a 3-to-1 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar. This vinegar rinse helps to prevent mold from spoiling strawberries and may extend their shelf life. It also works for other berries. Avoid soaking berries in the vinegar wash, as prolonged exposure may cause them to absorb the vinegar flavor. After washing, dry the berries gently but thoroughly on a paper or cloth towel.

How to Store Berries

If you're planning to eat or use the berries within a day of purchasing, it's fine to leave them covered on a countertop. Otherwise, storing berries in the refrigerator is the best way to prevent them from spoiling quickly.

How Long Berries Last

Stored carefully in the refrigerator, blueberries and strawberries will last five to seven days. More delicate berries like blackberries, raspberries, and gooseberries last three to five days.

Store berries at the front of your refrigerator so you don't forget they're there.

How to Freeze Berries

Frozen berries are great to have on hand for smoothies and juices and for baking. After washing, gently pat the berries dry with a paper towel until all excess water has been absorbed. Transfer the berries to a parchment-lined baking sheet, arranging them carefully in a single layer, not touching each other, and freeze until firm; this step prevents them from clumping together in a frozen lump. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to six months.

5 Easy Berry Recipes to Try This Summer

Celebrate the bounty of berries with these recipes.

Strawberries-and-Cream Stack Cake

Spectacular, delicious, and easy to make. This strawberry dessert has it all. It’s a no-bake, make-ahead wonder.

Oven-Baked Blueberry Pancake

Start the day with wedges of this giant pancake. It’s packed with fresh blueberries, and as it bakes in the oven, there’s no need to stand at the stove flipping each flapjack. It’s a hands-off way to make a special breakfast.

No-Churn Raspberry Frozen Yogurt

Freeze your raspberries so you can make make this easy, refreshing dessert—no ice cream maker necessary. It has three ingredients: raspberries, sweetened condensed milk, and Greek yogurt, and takes 10 minutes (plus time to set up in the freezer). 

Blackberry Crisp

A fruit crisp is one of our favorite ways to celebrate summer berries. It’s an easy-to-make dessert and packed with berry flavor. If you don’t have enough blackberries to make this recipe, you can add other berries to the mix.

Berries With Buttermilk and Honey

Summer berries are so good as is, eaten out of hand, used to top yogurt or overnight oats, or celebrated in a fruit salad like this one.