Have you ever gone to Costco and picked up a few big containers of berries, only to have them spoil in the refrigerator just a few days later before you have had a chance to eat them? You may be wondering how to keep berries fresh longer, rather than wasting them or having to throw them in the freezer. I have been using this tip for years in order to buy in bulk and save money, and have berries on hand for my boys to snack on at all times since they are their favorite.

It's simple really: just give them a quick bath in a vinegar and water solution the moment you get them home, dry them, and place them in a clean container lined with paper towels. The vinegar helps to kill any mold that could cause them to spoil, and this method can make them last as long as 10 days in our house! Voilà, that is how you keep berries fresh longer. That is, if we don't eat them before that directly or in one of my recipes like my Rosemary-blueberry Smash or homemade blueberry preserves.

Here's the method!

1. Fill a large bowl with 3 cups water mixed with 2 Tbsp vinegar. Since we'll be rinsing them well, sometimes I use organic white distilled vinegar as it's more affordable and not quite as strong of a flavor, but apple cider vinegar will work too. Place the berries into the water and let them soak 5 to 10 minutes. Gently stir the berries around every couple of minutes.

2. Drain in colander and rinse well under running water.

3. Place berries in salad spinner lined with a few layers of paper towels. Spin until the berries are completely dry. Alternatively, place a clean dish towel on the counter and pour the berries out on to it. Blot them gently to dry up excess water.

4. Store berries in paper towel-lined sealable container, with layers of paper towels between each layer of berries. Keep the lid slightly open to allow excess moisture to escape. Place in the refrigerator to store.

That's it! A couple of tips that I've notice along the way:

1. Don't let 1 bad berry spoil the bunch! Pick out any soggy or already spoiled berries before storing. They will cause the others to spoil more quickly.

2. Wash and store different varieties of berries separately. They all spoil at different rates, so I find it's better to keep them separated so 1 spoiled raspberry doesn't spoil all of your blueberries which will typically last longer.

If you try this method and love it, come back and tell me how long your berries lasted in the comments below! Share this post with your friends by pinning or using any of the buttons below!

xo,