23 Everyday Foods You Should Stop Storing in the Fridge
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It’s common to think that storing food in the refrigerator will always keep it fresher, but that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, several kitchen staples can actually lose their quality and texture when subjected to cold temperatures, making them better suited for room temperature storage. Here are 23 foods that are best kept out of the refrigerator.
Potatoes
Whole, unpeeled potatoes should not be refrigerated because cold temperatures can convert their starches into sugars, leading to an undesirable sweetness and altered texture when cooked.
Where to Store: Keep unpeeled potatoes in a dark, cool, and well-ventilated area like a pantry or cellar. Store them away from onions and fruits to prevent sprouting.
Plums
Like other stone fruits, plums should be ripened at room temperature. Once they are ripe, they can be stored in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.
Avocado
Avocados shouldn’t be refrigerated if they still need to ripen. The cold can affect their texture, making them less buttery, and it can also diminish their natural flavor. Once an avocado is cut, you can store it in the refrigerator, but remember that its shelf life is short.
Pears
Pears should be stored on the countertop. If they smell sweet, they are ready to be eaten. Sliced pears should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Apples
There’s a lot of debate about whether apples should be stored in the refrigerator. However, apples can stay fresh at room temperature for up to two weeks. After that, refrigerating them can significantly prolong their shelf life.
Basil
Basil is sensitive to cold, so it’s best kept out of the fridge. Refrigerating basil can cause the leaves to shrivel and turn black.
Bread
Avoid the refrigerator for bread that you plan to eat soon, as cold temperatures can cause it to dry out and lose moisture. However, if you need to store bread for longer, refrigeration can help prevent mold growth.
Mango
If your mango isn’t fully ripe, keep it at room temperature. Refrigerating it too soon can halt the ripening process, leaving you with less flavorful, hard fruit. However, once your mango is ripe, place it in the refrigerator to slow down spoilage.
Bananas
Bananas thrive in hot climates, so it’s no surprise that they don’t do well in the cold. Refrigeration can cause the peel to turn black due to the activation of browning enzymes at low temperatures. It can also drastically change the fruit’s taste and texture. While refrigerating bananas may slow down or stop the ripening process, the impact on flavor and texture makes it not worth it.
Where to Store: Keep unripe bananas at room temperature until they reach your desired ripeness. Once ripe, you can refrigerate them for a few days to extend their freshness.
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Peanut Butter
Conventional peanut butter doesn’t have to be refrigerated. However, natural peanut butter, preservative-free, should be refrigerated once opened to prevent oil separation and spoilage.
Where to Store: Store conventional peanut butter in a cool, dry place like a kitchen cabinet.
Persimmons
This juicy, luscious fruit continues to ripen after being harvested, so storing it on your countertop is best. Allowing it to ripen at room temperature will ensure its sweetness and rich taste Once ripe, you can keep persimmons in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Chocolate
Storing chocolate in the refrigerator can expose it to moisture, leading to “blooming,” where sugar rises to the surface and creates a white coating. While safe to eat, bloomed chocolate may lose its ideal texture and appearance.
Cooking Oils
Cold-pressed cooking oils, like olive and avocado oil, can become cloudy and thicken or solidify in the refrigerator, affecting their texture and flavor. Store cooking oils in a cool, dark place, such as a cabinet or pantry.
Garlic
Whole, uncut garlic tends to become soft and sprout faster in the fridge. While the sprouts are edible, they can be bitter. It’s best to store garlic in a cool, dry area.
Apricots
Apricots are stone fruits that do not prefer refrigerators, especially if they are not yet ripe. Refrigerating will only stop their natural ripening process, ruining their flavor and consistency resulting in a less sweet and juicy apricot.
Citrus Fruits
Whole citrus fruits can be stored on your countertop for up to several weeks. Low temperatures can ruin the natural sweetness of lemons and oranges, making them less juicy. Once sliced, store citrus fruits in the refrigerator to prevent them from drying out.
Tomatoes
The debate over whether to refrigerate tomatoes has been around for ages, so we’ll let you decide what works best for you. Cold temperatures can alter a tomato’s texture, leaving it mealy, similar to a stale apple, and diminish its natural aroma. However, some tomato varieties fare better in the fridge than others.
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Honey
Honey should never be kept in the fridge because cold temperatures make it overly thick and difficult to use.
Where to Store: Honey is naturally preserved by its high sugar content, so it will last a long time at room temperature. Keep it in a dark cupboard to maintain its liquid consistency.
Onions
Whole onions shouldn’t be refrigerated because the cold causes their starches to convert to sugars, making them sweeter and softer. Onions also have a strong smell that can affect other foods stored nearby.
Where to Store: Store onions in a cool, dry place like the pantry, cellar, or garage.
Papaya
If your papaya is still mostly green, avoid putting it in the refrigerator, as this can affect its natural juiciness and flavor. A bright yellow or orange color indicates that the papaya is ripe and ready to eat.
Pineapple
Pineapples, being tropical fruits, thrive at room temperature. Cold temperatures can diminish their natural sweetness and juiciness while also making them firmer. In addition, keeping pineapples at room temperature helps preserve certain antioxidants.
Cantelope
Cantaloupes should be ripened at room temperature. Refrigerating whole cantaloupes can reduce their sweetness, stopping their natural ripening process. Plus, a refrigerator will make them less juicy and crisp.
Where to Store: Keep whole melons in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight until ready to eat. Once cut, melons should be refrigerated.
Watermelon
Like cantaloupe, watermelon should be ripened at room temperature. Refrigerating a whole watermelon too soon can halt its natural ripening process, reducing its sweetness. Once your watermelon is ripe, you can then slice it and refrigerate it.
