How to Store Blueberries So They Stay Fresh and Juicy Get the most out your berries with this expert storage guide. In This Article View All In This Article Counter vs. Refrigerator Shelf Life Refrigeration Steps Freezing Storage Tips Close Credit: Getty Images Key Points Wait to wash your blueberries until you're ready to eat or freeze them.Place blueberries in a lined container, arranging them in a single, evenly spaced layer before refrigerating.Properly stored blueberries will last up to two weeks in the fridge and several months in the freezer. After buying a carton of nutritious blueberries, it can be tempting to pop it in the refrigerator and not give the fruit another thought until you need it. Technically, this method can work—but there are other ways to make your blueberries last even longer. These fruits are relatively delicate, after all, and they benefit from special care and handling. Ahead, we spoke to expert chefs about how to store blueberries in the refrigerator to keep them in tip-top condition. Also, learn how to freeze blueberries and tips for making your berries last as long as possible. Nathan Lyon, chef, cookbook author, and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen on Discovery Health Raymond Ortiz, executive chef at Forbici Modern Italian in Tampa, Fla. 61 Fruits and Vegetables You Should Always Refrigerate—and 31 You Shouldn't Should Blueberries Be Refrigerated? Is it better to store blueberries in the refrigerator rather than on the counter? The short answer: yes! Blueberries spoil quickly, so they shouldn't be kept at room temperature, says Nathan Lyon, chef, cookbook author, and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen on Discovery Health. At room temperature, they will only last one or two days before they start to go bad, says Raymond Ortiz, executive chef at Forbici Modern Italian in Tampa, Fla. Just hold off on washing your produce for now. "Washing blueberries before storing them can introduce moisture, creating an environment for mold, bacteria, and rot," says Ortiz. Only wash the blueberries you plan on eating before you eat them. The Best Way to Clean Blueberries to Remove Pesticides and Prevent Mold Typical Shelf Life of Blueberries When stored properly in the fridge, blueberries can last between 10 to 14 days. Frozen berries will last a long time, but their texture and flavor suffer eventually with prolonged freezing. For the best quality, use frozen blueberries within eight months, says Ortiz. Even with proper storage, fresh blueberries will eventually go bad. Signs of spoiled blueberries include softness, mushiness, and visible mold, says Lyon. If you notice any of these features, it's time to toss the berries. How to Store Blueberries in the Fridge The best way to store blueberries in the refrigerator is to place them there as soon as you get home from the grocery store, says Lyon. Follow these steps to store blueberries: Pick over the berries and remove and discard any moldy, soft, or leaking blueberries.Line an airtight container with a dry paper towel.Place the unwashed blueberries in the container in a single layer. This will prevent the berries from becoming overcrowded, which can spread mold, says Lyon.Store the container in the refrigerator. Don't Miss Why You Should Never Store Onions With Potatoes—Plus, Other Fruits and Vegetables That Don't Go Together 16 Ways to Use Frozen Fruit, From Crisps and Crumbles to Cocktails How to Store Blueberries in the Freezer To keep blueberries for a longer time, store them in the freezer using the following steps. Remove any damaged blueberries.Wash the blueberries in a colander, then shake to drain the excess water.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place the blueberries on the sheet in a single layer.Put the baking sheet in the freezer for one to two hours or until the berries are frozen solid.Transfer the frozen blueberries to freezer-safe containers or silicone bags. While blueberries should not be washed before storing in the refrigerator, they should be washed and dried well before freezing. Drying the berries is important as it will prevent them from clumping. Tips for Making Blueberries Last Longer First things first: Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before handling blueberries. This will prevent germs from spreading from your hands to the berries, speeding up spoilage and increasing the risk of foodborne illness. To make sure your hands are clean, wash them for 20 seconds. Here are a few other tips that can help. Use Clean Containers If your storage containers are unclean, even the cleanest blueberries can become contaminated. Wash your containers with warm water and soap to ensure they're clean. Set the Fridge Temp If your refrigerator is too warm, blueberries (as well as other food) will spoil faster. Ensure it's set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If your fridge doesn't have a reliable digital display, a designated refrigerator thermometer could be worth it. Skip the Crisper Drawer Store blueberries in the main part of the fridge, such as the middle or upper shelf, says Ortiz. Avoid storing them in the crisper drawer, as this can limit air circulation, which is important to keeping blueberries fresh. Keep Away From Raw Meat To avoid cross-contamination, store fresh foods like blueberries away from raw meat. Keep raw meat on the bottom shelf; this will prevent leakage from contaminating other foods. Rotate Berries Every Few Days Blueberries will last longer if you check in on them every couple of days and give them a little shake. Moisture can accumulate on the bottom, so turning them over can help redistribute and dry out any dampness. If needed, change the paper towel and toss any soft berries that are spoiled or on their way out. Explore more: Food & Cooking Cooking How-Tos & Techniques Food Storage Sources decorvow is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Blueberry. Purdue University. Preserving Summer Berries. Washington State University. 7 Tips for Cleaning Fruits, Vegetables. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). What temperature should a refrigerator maintain? United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).