How to Keep Bananas From Turning Brown Too Fast

A bunch of bananas on a reflective surface in a kitchen with blurred background details — Credit:
Maryna Terletska / Getty Images

Bananas sure are sneaky when it comes to ripening. One day, you’re waiting for a bunch of green bananas to ripen. And the next? The whole lot has gone spotty brown. If your bananas tend to over-ripen before you and your family get a chance to eat them, there are a few storage strategies that may help slow bananas from ripening too quickly.

Learning to keep bananas from ripening too quickly can help cut down on waste and earn you savings in your weekly grocery budget. While it’s impossible to keep them edible forever, there are a few ways you can try to keep your bananas fresh for longer. (Take note, though: there's plenty you can do with overripe bananas, so the ones you can't save don't necessarily have to go in the compost.)

Here’s a collection of clever methods to help you keep those bananas at their prime.

01 of 06

Separate the Bananas

It might seem simple, but separating bananas can actually make a big difference in how long they last. Separating bananas may slightly slow ripening by reducing exposure to ethylene gas from especially ripe or bruised fruit. The effect is usually modest, but it can help if one banana is already overripe.

02 of 06

Hang Them Up

Bananas on banana hanger on kitchen counter — Jun Zhang / Getty Images

"Using a banana hook not only looks nice and tidy, but prevents bruising from the bananas leaning against the countertop," says lifestyle expert Thomas Chepyegon. Hanging them can help reduce bruising by improving airflow and preventing pressure spots on the fruit.

03 of 06

Store in the Right Spot

Store bananas in a cool, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight and heat, which can speed up ripening. And try to keep bananas away from other ethylene-producing fruits like apples, avocados, and tomatoes.

04 of 06

Use the Fridge—But Only When Necessary

bananas in the fridge — Aitor Diago / Getty Images

When your bananas are at the perfect stage of ripening, you can go ahead and pop them in the fridge. For the best texture and flavor, wait until bananas are ripe before refrigerating them. Refrigerating ripe bananas can slow further ripening for several days, though the peels may darken quickly. If you need longer, consider freezing your bananas.

05 of 06

Cover the Stems with Plastic Wrap

Many people (and supermarkets!) find that wrapping banana stems in plastic wrap may slow ripening, though evidence on how much it helps is mixed. The idea is that covering the stems may reduce some ethylene exposure between bananas, potentially extending freshness by a short time.

06 of 06

Stagger Your Bananas

Bananas in supermarket display — Marko Crnoglavac / EyeEm / Getty Images

To prevent an entire bunch of bananas from ripening at once, buy bananas that are at different stages of ripeness at the grocery store or farmers market. "You don't have to buy one whole bunch in the grocery store," says Chepyegon. "You can pick and choose."

If you don't have a bunch of bananas to hang from a hook, Chepyegon suggests storing them in a bowl on your counter to keep things tidy. A wire fruit bowl or another container with good airflow may help reduce bruising and moisture buildup.