10 Surprising Foods You Should Be Refrigerating (2024)

You may already know milk, meat and eggs belong in the fridge. But what about less obvious foods? Storing these 10 foods in the fridge will help to keep them safe and taste great longer.

1. Tortillas

Some tortillas are prone to molding. That's why the fine print on many tortilla packages recommends refrigerating after opening. Chill tortillas to help them stay fresh. The date on their package is for quality purposes, so when foods are stored properly they may be consumed beyond their date, if there are no signs of spoilage.

2. Salami

Cured meats including salami are less likely to harbor bacteria than cooked meats, but that doesn't mean they're always 100% safe. Refrigeration can slow potential bacterial growth, but people who are at higher risk of foodborne illness, such as pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should reheat ready-to-eat foods like lunch and deli meats. Store unopened salami in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. After opening, it should be consumed within three to five days.

3. Ripe Bananas

It's fine to ripen bananas on the kitchen counter. Trouble is, they keep ripening, and ripening and ripening. Once they're ready to eat, pop them in the fridge for up to three days. Their skins may turn brown, but they're still fine to eat.

4. Nuts

Nuts' fragile unsaturated fats can go rancid quickly. While that may not hurt your health, it can definitely be bad news for flavor. Keep nuts tasting fresh by stowing them in a sealed plastic or glass container in the refrigerator for four to six months.

5. Maple Syrup

Maple syrup has a surprisingly short shelf life. So if yours is sitting in your pantry, it's time to relocate it to the fridge. Stored in the refrigerator, maple syrup usually can stay fresh for up to a year. However, if you notice any mold growth, be sure to toss it immediately.

6. Dried Fruit

Dried fruit has less moisture than fresh fruit, so it doesn't spoil as quickly, but refrigeration can help it maintain its freshness longer. Keep it in the main compartment of your refrigerator for up to six months.

7. Ketchup

Restaurants may leave their ketchup on the table, but that doesn't mean you should. While its high acid content will keep most bacteria at bay, cool temperatures help maintain flavor and freshness. Refrigerate ketchup for up to six months.

8. Corn on the Cob

After picking, corn begins to lose its sugar content dramatically when left at room temperature. Unless you're going to cook it right away, keep corn in the fridge — husks and all — for one to two days.

9. Chocolate Syrup

Chocolate syrup is an easy way to make a glass of milk taste even better. But not if it has developed funny flavors. Chill yours after opening and you can enjoy it for six months.

10. Pecan and Pumpkin Pies

Made with eggs, these treats are magnets for bacteria. Fresh from the oven, they're okay to eat at room temperature for up to two hours and only one hour if it is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, they should go straight into the fridge and eaten within three to four days or frozen for another time.

Karen Ansel, MS, RDN, CDN is a nutrition consultant, journalist and author specializing in nutrition, health and wellness.

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10 Surprising Foods You Should Be Refrigerating (2024)

FAQs

10 Surprising Foods You Should Be Refrigerating? ›

While there are some breads, like baguettes and ciabatta, that taste better when left on the counter, there is nothing inherently wrong with storing bread in the refrigerator. Refrigerated bread will still be safe to eat, and depending on the type of bread you store in the fridge, it will taste just fine.

What foods should always be refrigerated? ›

Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods
  • Milk and milk products, like cheese and yogurt.
  • Eggs.
  • Meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
  • Cooked foods like vegetables, rice, and potatoes.
  • Raw sprouts and cut leafy greens.
  • Cut melons.
  • Cut tomatoes.
  • Garlic in oil.

What 12 foods should not be refrigerated? ›

WHAT FOODS SHOULD NOT BE REFRIGERATED?
  • TOMATOES. Keep your tomatoes juicy, tasty and ready for your next Tomato and Ricotta Pizza by storing them at room temperature rather than in the fridge.
  • POTATOES. ...
  • ONIONS. ...
  • PICKLES. ...
  • CUCUMBERS. ...
  • BELL PEPPERS. ...
  • AVOCADOS. ...
  • WINTER SQUASH.

What foods should I always have in my fridge? ›

In the Refrigerator
  • Milk (fat-free or low-fat)
  • Cheese (block, shredded, sliced, or string and consider lower fat options)
  • Yogurt (fat-free or low-fat and choose options with fewer or no added sugars)
  • Eggs.
  • Fruits.
  • Vegetables.
  • Butter or margarine.

What foods should never be refrigerated? ›

22 foods not to refrigerate
  • Apples. Apples can stay fresh and delicious for up to a week or two on the counter. ...
  • Avocados. When stored at room temperature, avocados are more likely to ripen faster than when stored in the fridge.
  • Bananas. ...
  • Bell peppers. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Bread. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Coffee.

Should you refrigerate bread? ›

While there are some breads, like baguettes and ciabatta, that taste better when left on the counter, there is nothing inherently wrong with storing bread in the refrigerator. Refrigerated bread will still be safe to eat, and depending on the type of bread you store in the fridge, it will taste just fine.

Why shouldn't you put bananas in the fridge? ›

Bananas grow in hot climates, so they are unused to the cold. If they're kept at a cold temperature, the enzymes that enable them to ripen are inhibited. And as those enzymes become inactive, other enzymes operate more efficiently. Some cause cell damage, while others (browning enzymes) cause the skin to blacken.

What are 2 vegetables that should not be refrigerated? ›

Potatoes, taro, sweet potatoes, and yuca (cassava, manioc) should not be refrigerated. Keep these starchy tubers in a cool, dark, airy space, loosely stacked in a bowl or bins, but not in plastic bags (or moisture will accumulate and will encourage mold and deterioration).

Should you refrigerate eggs? ›

Freshly laid eggs need to be refrigerated immediately. Fresh eggs purchased from a farmers market need to be refrigerated as soon as you get home. Per USDA guidelines, eggs should be stored at 40 degrees F or below to help minimize the risk of Salmonella.

Should I refrigerate tortillas? ›

That's why the fine print on many tortilla packages recommends refrigerating after opening. Chill tortillas to help them stay fresh. The date on their package is for quality purposes, so when foods are stored properly they may be consumed beyond their date, if there are no signs of spoilage.

Should you refrigerate tomatoes? ›

Refrigerate any unconsumed fully ripe tomatoes, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving them. (To speed up this process, slice them while still cold—slices will warm up much more quickly than an intact fruit.) One study we've read suggests that refrigerating for no longer than three days is optimal.

Is it better to keep bread out or in the refrigerator? ›

The best way to keep freshly baked bread as fresh as possible is to store it at room temperature in a part of the kitchen that isn't too hot or dry, according to Davis. When leaving it on the counter, it's best to keep it out of places that attract sunlight, such as right next to a window.

What are 10 food items? ›

List of foods
  • Asparagus. Lomo Saltado.
  • Biscuits. Cookie. Cracker. Ginger snap. Hardtack. Abernethy. Acıbadem kurabiyesi. ...
  • Bread. Bagel. Bialy. Croissant. Baguette. Toast.
  • Burrito.
  • Cabbage. Cabbage roll.
  • Cake. Cheesecake. Chocolate cake. Carrot cake. Strawberry cake. Ice-cream cake. Vanilla cake. ...
  • Chocolate. Pancake. Poundcake.
  • Chopped liver.

What fruit should be refrigerated? ›

Apples, cherries, grapefruit, grapes, oranges, pineapples, strawberries, tangerines and watermelon are received ripe and should be refrigerated.

Do eggs have to be refrigerated? ›

Do Fresh Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated? Freshly laid eggs need to be refrigerated immediately. Fresh eggs purchased from a farmers market need to be refrigerated as soon as you get home. Per USDA guidelines, eggs should be stored at 40 degrees F or below to help minimize the risk of Salmonella.

What foods last long in room temperature? ›

Peeled, cut and cooked fruit or vegetables can be served safely at room temperature for about two hours. What tasty foods last long in room temperature? Soft breads, peanut butter, nuts and other fruits, dry or not, all last long enough at room temperature.

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