6 Foods You Don't Need to Store in the Fridge Over the Holidays Keep them out of the refrigerator so that things that really need chilling can fit. Close Credit: Pinkybird / Getty Images Key Takeaways Keeping certain foods on the counter preserves fridge space and maintains their quality because many items stay fresh unopened at room temperature.Shelf-stable items like jams, jellies, beer, wine, and most baked goods don’t require refrigeration until they’re opened or prepped.Timing matters, especially for serving items like cheeses and charcuterie, which taste better when allowed to warm slightly after leaving the refrigerator. Holiday cooking comes with a familiar seasonal puzzle: Where, exactly, is everything supposed to fit? Between the spiral cut hams, the brined turkey, a tray of prepped vegetables, cookies chilling before they are baked, and the inevitable surprise casserole a guest brings over "to help," fridge real estate disappears fast. This year, think strategically. Use the refrigerator for what truly needs to be chilled, keep anything shelf-stable sealed until you need it, and lean on your freezer or cooler for backup support. A little planning makes all the difference—and prevents you from having an overstuffed fridge where things get squashed or lost. 11 Foods You Should Never Refrigerate (but Probably Are) Timing Is Everything Some ingredients are perfectly happy on the counter—as long as you handle them at the right moment. Keep these foods out of the refrigerator until you open them or need to chill them for serving: Jams and Jellies Leave those pretty jars of jam destined for your holiday cheese boards sealed at room temperature until right before serving. The moment they're opened, they require refrigeration; open only what you need. Beer and Wine Your refrigerator shouldn't double as a wine cellar. Keep beer, wine, and bubbly at room temperature until the day of your gathering, then chill them in a cooler with plenty of ice. Note: You should purchase these beverages at room temperature to avoid dramatic temperature swings. Pomegranates Whole pomegranates stay fresh at room temperature up to a week. If you need the arils for salads or toppings, wait to cut and seed the fruit until the day you'll use them for the brightest flavor and juiciest texture—as well as to keep them out of the fridge! Don't Miss How to Store Bread Correctly to Keep It Fresh and Delicious 8 Foods You Aren't Refrigerating—but Definitely Should Cucumbers Whole, uncut cucumbers are perfectly fine at room temperature for up to two days. Save the crisper drawer for more perishable produce. Winter Squash Hearty, thick-skinned winter squash like butternut, acorn, and kabocha are built for storage. They're happiest in a cool, dark spot on your counter—unlike their delicate summer squash sisters, which require refrigeration. Follow us to see more of our stories on Google. Follow Us On Google Cookies and Baked Goods Most cookies and baked goods don't benefit from refrigeration; in fact, it can dry them out. Cakes with buttercream frosting can sit out overnight, well covered. If you're making a cake with cream cheese frosting, wait to ice it until the day you're serving it and keep the baked layers wrapped at room temperature until go-time. Explore more: Food & Cooking Cooking How-Tos & Techniques Food Storage