The 1 Summer Produce Item You Should NEVER Refrigerate
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As you buy up all that abundant Summer produce at your grocery store or farmers market, don't assume it should all end up in the fridge. In fact, there's a ton of Summer produce that's best left out, otherwise it won't properly ripen or can end up mealy and shriveled in your fridge. Here's the complete list of Summer veggies and fruit you should leave out instead of refrigerating and how long each item of produce will last you. As you'll discover, most produce can eventually make its way into the fridge, but let it be known that the number one produce item to keep out at room temperature is tomatoes. Don't ruin those precious red orbs by refrigerating them, folks.
Leave Out at Room Temperature
- Apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums: For at least 5 days; once ripened, transfer to fridge
- Avocados: Leave out until ripened, then transfer to fridge for another 3-5 days
- Eggplant: For 2 days, then transfer to fridge
- Figs: For 1 day or transfer to the fridge for 2 days
- Grapes: For 3-5 days or transfer to the fridge for 5-10 days
- Melons: Transfer to the fridge once ripened for 7-10 days
- Peppers: Store in a paper bag or transfer to fridge for 1-2 weeks
- Squash: For 3-5 days or transfer to the fridge for 5-7 days
- Tomatoes
Refrigerate:
- Berries: Store in coldest drawer for 3 days; don't wash until just before serving
- Cauliflower: Store in a bag in a crisper drawer for up to 1 week
- Cherries: Store in coldest drawer for up to 7 days
- Corn: Store on fridge shelf for up to 3 days
- Cucumbers: Store on fridge shelf for up to 1 week
- Okra: Store on fridge shelf for 3-5 days