Did you know that keeping certain foods in the fridge could actually make them go bad faster? Even though most of us probably don’t think twice about where we store different food items, it turns out there are some things that shouldn’t be kept in the fridge. If you’ve ever had a food item go bad because you stored it in the wrong place, read on to find out which foods should never go into your refrigerator. Keeping certain foods in the fridge might actually accelerate their rate of decay and cause them to get moldy or rot faster than if they were left out on the counter. In general, most fruits, vegetables, and herbs should not be kept in the refrigerator unless you intend to use them quickly. Each of these 15 foods should never go in your fridge no matter what:
Eggs
You might be tempted to store your eggs in the fridge, but this could actually increase the risk of salmonella. If your eggs are kept at room temperature, the shells and the whites will naturally protect against any harmful bacteria. However, when eggs are refrigerated, the whites will actually contract, creating microscopic openings in the shell that could allow harmful bacteria to penetrate the egg. Therefore, it’s best to store your eggs in a cool, dry place, like a kitchen cabinet. It’s also important to note that refrigerated eggs won’t last as long as those that are kept at room temperature. If you plan on storing your eggs in the fridge, make sure to use them within a few weeks. If you want to store eggs for longer, you can seal them in a jar of water. This preserves the freshness of the eggs and makes them last even longer.
Potatoes
The best way to store your potatoes is in a cool, dry place, like a pantry or kitchen cabinet. When you refrigerate your potatoes, they’ll actually start to convert to starch, causing the texture to turn dense and mealy. The starch conversion will also speed up the rotting process and cause the potato to go bad faster. If you want to store potatoes for an extended period of time, it’s best to keep them in a cool, dark place, like a basement. If you plan on using your potatoes in the next couple of weeks, you can store them in the fridge, but be sure to put them in a paper bag to prevent them from getting too moist.
Sweet potatoes
As with regular potatoes, storing sweet potatoes in the fridge will cause them to become mealy and lose their rich, delicious flavor. Instead, store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place like a pantry or kitchen cabinet. If you want to keep them for an extended period of time, it’s best to store them in a basement. Sweet potatoes are actually one of the few foods that actually benefit from being stored in the fridge. If you want to keep them for an extended period of time, putting them in the fridge will slow down their rate of decay, allowing you to keep them for several months. If you’re planning on using your sweet potatoes within a few months, it’s best to keep them at room temperature.
Corn
Corn kernels will last much longer if they’re stored in a kitchen cabinet or pantry instead of the fridge. When corn is refrigerated, the kernels will start to lose their sweetness and become dry and mealy. If you plan on storing corn for an extended period of time, it’s best to keep it in a cool, dry place. If you’re planning on eating the corn kernels within a few months, you can store them in the fridge. Just be sure to keep the corn kernels in a bag and away from other foods to prevent the flavor from transferring.
Berries
Most types of berries are best stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat. If you put your berries in the fridge, they will actually lose their flavor and become less juicy and flavorful. If you want to store your berries for an extended period of time, it’s best to keep them in a dry, dark place, like a kitchen cabinet. If you’re planning on eating your berries within a month, you can store them in the fridge, but make sure to put them in a sealed bag to prevent the flavor from transferring to other foods.
Bread
Keeping your bread in the fridge might seem like a good idea, but it’s actually detrimental to the lifespan of the bread. The cold temperatures of the fridge will cause the bread to go stale much more quickly. If you need to keep your bread for an extended period of time, it’s best to keep it at room temperature in a cool, dry place. You can store your bread in the fridge, but it will only last a couple of days. If you’re planning on eating the bread within a couple of days, you can store it in the fridge, but be sure to put it in a bag to prevent the flavor from transferring to other foods.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts, seeds, and other types of nuts will become stale and lose their flavor if they’re stored in the fridge. Instead, you should keep nuts and seeds in a cool, dry place, like a kitchen cabinet. If you want to store nuts and seeds for an extended period of time, it’s best to keep them in the freezer to preserve freshness. If you’re planning on eating your nuts and seeds within a few months, you can store them in the fridge, but make sure to put them in a bag to prevent the flavor from transferring to other foods.
Sauces and Condiments
Sauces and condiments are best kept at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Putting your ketchup and mustard in the fridge will cause the flavor and texture to suffer. If you plan on storing your sauces and condiments for an extended period of time, it’s best to keep them in the pantry. If you’re planning on using the sauce or condiment within a few weeks, you can store it in the fridge, but make sure to put the container in a bag to prevent the flavor from transferring to other foods.
Beans and Legumes
Most types of beans and legumes are best stored in a cool, dry place, like a pantry or kitchen cabinet. Keeping your beans in the fridge will cause them to go bad much more quickly. If you’re planning on storing your beans for an extended period of time, it’s best to keep them in the freezer, where they’ll last much longer than if they were stored at room temperature. If you’re planning on eating the beans or legumes within a few months, you can store them in the fridge, but make sure to keep them in a bag to prevent the flavor from transferring to other foods.
Meat and Poultry
Keeping your meat and poultry in the fridge is a common practice, but it’s not the best way to preserve them. Freezing your meat and poultry is actually more effective at preventing spoilage and bacteria than refrigeration is. As long as your meat and poultry is properly frozen, it will stay fresh for a long time and be safe to eat even years later. If you’re planning on storing your meat and poultry for an extended period of time, it’s best to freeze it. If you’re planning on eating it within a few months, you can refrigerate it, but make sure to keep the meat and poultry in a bag to prevent the flavor from transferring to other foods.
Keeping certain foods out of the fridge can actually prolong their lifespan, but you have to store them in the right way. By following these guidelines, you can store each of these 15 foods without putting them in the fridge, which will keep them fresher and last longer than if they were in the fridge. So why not take a look at your fridge and see if there are any foods in there that shouldn’t be there?
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings