Brian Jeffrey
It’s no fun to be in the constant cycle of tossing bad fruit and veggies in the garbage every week, only to replace them with new ones. (Looking at you, celery.) While leafy greens and berries generally only stay edible for a handful of days in the fridge—a week if you’re lucky!—there are some produce options that can survive for much longer, saving your wallet and the planet.
The amount of time produce lasts in the fridge definitely varies, but some of the most popular fruit and vegetables have a shockingly long-lasting (refrigerator) shelf life. Take potatoes, for example. If I leave one on my kitchen counter, it’s rotten within a week or two. But with the power of the fridge, those spuds can provide healthy meals for months. The next time you’re stocking your cart with wholesome goodies, be sure these long-lasting fruits and vegetables make the cut.
The best long-lasting fruits and vegetables for your fridge
1. Apples
Apples are always a top produce pick of health experts, and for good reason. The fiber-packed option is healthy, affordable, and lasts in the fridge for an impressive amount of time for a fruit—from 1 to 2 months. Talk about a triple whammy. “Just don’t keep them in the same drawer as other produce, if you can help it, because they contain a gas called ethylene that can cause other produce to ripen more quickly,” Gorin says.
How long they last in the fridge: 1 to 2 months
2. Oranges
“Oranges boast an excellent amount of vitamin C, a nutrient we could all use more of right now,” says Gorin. “They’ll also stay good in your fridge for weeks.”
How long they last in the fridge: 3 to 4 weeks
3. Potatoes
While potatoes go bad within a couple weeks at room temperature, they can last months in the fridge. “Did you know potatoes provide protein? You’ll also get a good amount of potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure,” says Gorin.
How long they last in the fridge: 2 to 3 months
Here’s what an RD has to say about potatoes:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zYQBK7Nq18]
4. Onions
Gorin says she always has a few onions in her vegetable drawer to add fiber and great taste to her dishes. While they’ll stay good in the fridge for up to a couple months, there’s a way you can make them last even longer: “They freeze really well, so place chopped onions in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer,” she says. That way, you can take them out and use them as needed.
How long they last in the fridge: 1 to 2 months
5. Lemons
There are so many different ways to use lemons. “It’s always in my fridge. It supplies vitamin C, and I love to squeeze lemon juice over salads or cooked veggies. It also helps make the iron in those veggies more bioavailable,” Gorin says. You can keep them around for a while, too.
How long they last in the fridge: 3 to 4 weeks
These are the healthiest canned goods to always have in your pantry, according to a registered dietitian. Then find out how you can make a million cheap, healthy meals from just 11 pantry staples.
Written by: WellGood
