Do you want to know how to store strawberries without fridge? Strawberries are one of the most delicious summer fruits.
When strawberries are in season, their taste and aroma are unlike anything else.
They can be eaten alone, baked into pies, dipped in chocolate, or added to ice cream, salads, cakes, and other tempting dishes.
It’s easy to get kids to eat their fruit when that fruit is a strawberry. They love them because of their yummy sweet flavor and cute shape.
Next to watermelons, strawberries are a top picnic and outdoor party fruit.
Strawberries are delicate and tend to break down quickly at room temperature, especially when they’re at their peak of ripeness.
The only challenge with strawberries is how to store them so that they last. This is particularly tricky when you temporarily don’t have access to refrigeration.
The best way to store strawberries without a fridge is to keep them uncut, cool, dry, and put them in a cooler, if possible.
Strawberry Safety
Everyone knows that meats, eggs, and other animal products are unsafe if left out for long periods, but fruits and veggies are harmless, right?
Unfortunately not! The risk is increased if the fruit is cut or peeled before being left out.
Fruits and vegetables can also carry harmful bacteria like E. coli and salmonella and viruses like hepatitis A that will reproduce quickly if left at room temperature.
Foodborne illness can have serious consequences.
Note: It is important to follow food safety recommendations and not leave fruits and vegetables at room temperature for longer than a day.
Understanding the Strawberry Spoilage Process
All fruits spoil for the same reason: the moment they are picked, they are “dead,” and there’s a time window before the decomposition process begins.
Microorganisms, air, and moisture help along the process, but it will eventually happen anyway, no matter how you keep the fruit.
Bacteria
The bacteria that multiplies on the fruit causes the classic signs of decay like discoloration, mold growth, slime, and an “off” smell.
While all fruits eventually decay, and the process is the same for all of them, the timeline during which it occurs is not the same for all fruits.
Firm Fruit: Longer Shelf Life
Some fruits, like hardy varieties of apples, take a very long time to spoil.
This is because apples have been bred to withstand harsh and changeable climates for many generations.
They have a uniform skin that doesn’t allow any bacteria to attack the fruit itself, and they can go through extended ripening periods, even after they are picked.
Soft Fruit: Shorter Shelf Life
On the other hand, strawberries have softer, delicate flesh marked with seed pockets.
They are a summer fruit with a relatively short season, and once picked, they do not continue to ripen.
They don’t have tough skin that prevents bacteria from invading their flesh, so once the rot begins, it is hard to stop.
How To Choose Strawberries
When choosing strawberries at the grocery store, go for ripe berries that still look firm and healthy.
Note: While overripe berries may give off a sweeter perfume, they will probably rot quickly once stored, so don't choose them unless you are ready to eat them on the same day.
How To Store Strawberries Without Fridge?
Let’s look at how to keep strawberries fresh without a fridge.
The following are some essential tips for protecting your strawberries from going bad when you don’t have access to refrigeration.
Tip #1: Get a Cooler
Since you don’t have access to a refrigerator, you’ll need to find another way to keep your strawberries cold.
The easiest way is to use a cooler. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy; one of the white styrofoam cooler boxes will work just fine.
Throw in some ice or ice packs, and you’re all set.
Tip #2: Sort ‘Em Out
You’ve heard the saying, “one bad apple will spoil the bushel.” The same is true for strawberries.
Sort through your carton of berries and look for any that have mold, brownish spots, or rotted portions.
Set these aside. You can add them to your compost, or if you’re so inclined, you can salvage them and make them into jelly or jam.
Tip #3: Wash and Dry
Washing off your fruit before eating it is a good idea for many reasons.
It rinses away any dirt or debris that could still be on the fruit and any chemical fertilizers. It also washes off bacteria that might be growing on the fruit.
The drawback of washing your fruit is that if the fruit gets wet, and if you don’t eat it right away.
The water can actually make bacteria spawn more quickly and cause the fruit to break down and spoil faster. It’s the biggest catch-22 of fruit storage.
If you’re washing and storing fruit, use cold water. Hot water can start to “cook” your fruit, making the top layer mushy and more prone to spoilage.
Some people swear to use a small amount of vinegar in the washing water to kill off any stray bacteria.
If you choose to do this, be sure to go easy on the vinegar, or it could alter the taste of your strawberries.
Note: Whether you use vinegar or not, you need to ensure that you dry your strawberries thoroughly before putting them away.
Use a strainer or salad spinner followed by paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
Tip #4: Don’t Cut
While it might be tempting to cut or slice your strawberries before putting them away, this isn’t a good idea.
Cutting onto the fruit will cause them to break down more quickly, with or without refrigeration.
If you have a picnic or party and travel with your strawberries in a cooler, it’s probably best to transport the fruit whole and then cut it on site.
Tip #5: Choose the Right Storage
If you plan on putting the strawberries back into the carton they came in, give that carton a water-and-vinegar wash first and dry it thoroughly.
The original carton isn’t a bad place to store your clean berries temporarily, but if you have a slightly longer haul, it’s a better bet to use a locking food storage container or an air-tight glass jar.
Water-tight storage is also vital if your berries will be in a cooler with loose ice or any kind of ice packaging that could leak.
How Long Will My Strawberries Last Without Refrigeration?
Strawberries usually stay fresh for only about a week or so, even in optimal refrigerated conditions.
If you’re storing them in a cooler, they will probably last about the same as long as you keep them dry and keep topping up the ice.
Once your strawberries are at room temperature, they will begin to break down pretty quickly, usually within a day.
Freezing Strawberries
If you don’t have access to a fridge but happen to have a freezer, you can freeze your strawberries to extend their lifespan.
Freezing strawberries is simple:
- Wash your strawberries.
- Hull the berries (cut off the fruit’s stem and the part that connects the stem to the fruit.)
- Dry thoroughly.
- Place berries on a baking sheet lined with some parchment paper.
- Freeze berries for several hours, at least a full day or full night.
- You can transfer them into another container, like a Tupperware or zip-top freezer bag, when they are completely frozen.
Note: Frozen strawberries can be used for things like shakes, smoothies, mixed drinks, and baking and cooking. Depending on the recipe instructions, you may have to defrost them before using them.
Closing Thoughts
By taking some common-sense steps, you can keep your fresh strawberries from going bad, even without refrigeration, and learn how to store strawberries without fridge.
The key takeaways are:
- Keep your berries clean and dry.
- Store them properly.
- Keep them cold for as long as you can.
- If you are able to, freeze them.
Always remember to follow food safety recommendations so that you and your family can enjoy delicious foods like strawberries while staying safe, healthy, and happy!