10 Tips to Make Your Groceries Last Longer
Have you had to throw away items because they’ve gone bad before used? We’ve all had some experience with groceries that, even with the best of intentions, just don’t make it to the dinner table in time. The frustration of grabbing a rotten onion, finding a few yogurts close to date in the back of the fridge or having leftover fresh herbs you have no idea what to do with is all too familiar and wasteful. Here are a few tips to help extend the shelf-life of your groceries!
Watch some of our tips to make your groceries last longer >>
1. Remove a bad APPLE from the bunch.
The saying didn’t come from nowhere, one bad apple does indeed ruin the whole bunch. As apples ripen, they release a gaseous hormone called ethylene, which causes the fruit to ripen quicker. Get rid of the one that’s rotten and you can make sure the ethylene goes with it, keeping the rest of the bunch to stay fresh longer.
2. Store ASPARAGUS in a jar with water.
Storing asparagus like a fresh flower bouquet will make them last longer. Trim the bottoms, stand them up in a mason jar, fill with 1-inch of water, cover with plastic and change the water as it clouds.
3. Wrap the top of the BANANA bunch.
Like apples, bananas also release ethylene gas that force produce to ripen faster. Wrap the stem of the bunch with plastic wrap or foil to slow the process. For bananas that have already gone too ripe, here’s a great recipe for Slow Cooker Banana Upside Down Cake.
4. Simply freeze BREAD.
This one is super simple and most shoppers likely know to freeze your bread before it goes bad (or stock up on bread while it’s on sale at Sparkle!). Pro tip: If you started making your own bread as part of your 2020 home endeavors, make sure to cool it completely before freezing.
5. Wrap CUCUMBERS in foil.
Wrap a cut cucumber in foil, instead of plastic wrap, and keep it the refrigerator. This will prevent moisture from accumulating and allow it to stay crisper for longer.
6. Salt-store your EGGS for longevity.
Fill a container of salt and place your eggs small-side down inside. Keep them in a dark, cool spot on the refrigerator and they may just keep for eight to ten months! Tips for hard boiling your eggs.
7. Freeze FRESH HERBS like ice cubes.
No one likes to have to throw away any extra fresh herbs purchased that can’t be used right away, so try and freeze them in an ice cube tray with water, broth or butter.
8. Choose paper bag storage for your MUSHROOMS.
Don’t just throw your mushrooms in the produce drawer. By storing whole unwashed mushrooms in a paper bag with the top folded over on a shelf in your refrigerator, the bag will absorb moisture and keep the mushrooms from becoming soggy and moldy. Use those mushrooms to make Sausage Stroganoff.
9. Drop your ONIONS into pantyhose.
Yep, you heard us right – pantyhose! Drop an onion into each leg of a pair of pantyhose, tie a knot above each and repeat the process up the leg. Hang them in a cool, dark place and cut one off as needed for fresh onions that last up to six months.
10. Store RAISINS thoughtfully.
Choose your raisins container with care and extend their shelf life for months. Store raisins in an airtight container in the refrigerator instead of in the pantry and they’ll remain fresh for up to a year.
Visit the Sparkle Markets website to check which fresh produce is on sale this week, purchase at your local Sparkle, then try a few of these budget stretching tips! Have a few budget stretching tips and tricks of your own? Share them with us on Facebook!
