How to Prep and Store Berries

This post may contain affiliate links.

Did you know that 40% of food in the US goes to waste each year? That's more than 161 billion dollars' worth of food! Reducing food waste is not only good for your wallet but also for the environment. One area where food waste is particularly common is with fresh berries. Many of us have experienced the frustration of buying a beautiful batch of berries only to have them go bad within a day or two. But fear not! With this simple 5-minute berry prepping technique, you can enjoy your berries for weeks on end and significantly reduce food waste.

Here is How to Prep and Store Berries

  1. Fill a large bowl with 3 cups of water.
  2. Add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar to the water.
  3. Pour your berries into the water-vinegar mixture. You can reuse the same water-vinegar solution for different types of berries during your prep. Just make sure to do the messiest berries last.
  4. Gently swish the berries around in the water to remove any debris or smooshy ones. Let them soak for a few minutes.
  5. Transfer the berries to a colander and rinse them thoroughly with cool water.
  6. Place the rinsed berries on a clean dish towel and gently dry them.
  7. Line a storage container with a paper towel and transfer the dried berries to the container. Seal the container and store it in the fridge!

If you want to see this in action you can check out the reel I made for instagram; this is a game changer for your berries as organic berries tend to go bad pretty fast!

Some common Questions

  1. How does this technique work? The apple cider vinegar helps kill any present bacteria on the berries and prevents new bacteria from growing. It also helps remove any chemical residue or debris, keeping your berries fresh.

  2. Will my fruit taste like vinegar? As long as you rinse the berries after the apple cider vinegar soak, there won’t be any vinegar taste.

  3. Is it time-consuming? Not at all! This berry prepping technique takes just 5 minutes, but it will save you money and prevent food waste in the long run.

  4. Do I have to store the berries in glass? No, you can use plastic containers too. However, many people find that storing berries in glass containers helps them stay fresh a bit longer.

  5. Will this technique work for other produce? Yes, you can use this prepping technique for other fruits and vegetables to keep them fresh for longer.

  6. Can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar? Yes, white vinegar will work just as well.

More Ways to Prevent Food Waste with Fruits and Veggies:

  1. If you have extra produce that you won’t use immediately, freeze it right away. Frozen fruits and vegetables are convenient additions to smoothies, soups, baked goods, and more.

  2. Don’t let your greens go to waste. Use any extra greens you have to make pesto or sauces.

  3. Get creative with your fresh fruit. Muddle it and mix it with sparkling water for a refreshing seltzer.

By following these tips and tricks, you can not only enjoy fresh berries for weeks but also make a positive impact on reducing food waste. So, the next time you buy berries, try out this berry prepping technique and see the difference it makes! Let’s do our part to reduce food waste and make the most of the delicious produce we have! What are some of the ways that you preserve your food? Leave a comment down below. If you like learning with me you can check out How to Peel and Cut and Roast Butternut Squash

Jackie Akerberg

Author of the Clean Vegan Cookbook, Food Blogger and Recipe Developer from Des Moines, Iowa. 

Jackfruitful Kitchen has proudly been featured in Forks Over Knives, Vegan Bowls, Vegan Food and Living, and DSM Magazine.

Plant Based Meal Plans Designed With You in Mind.

These No Fuss 4 Week Meal Plans consist of 30 minute meals, 3 meals a day with mocktails, desserts and snacks. Made with a certified nutritionist, weekly grocery lists, step by step tutorials and more!

Related Posts

Join my Mailing list to get the latest recipes first!

How to Prep and Store Berries

KEEP YOUR BERRIES FRESH FOR 3+ WEEKS. Reduce food waste, save money, and enjoy your berries for weeks on end with this 5 minute berry prepping technique!
Prep Time15 minutes
Course: Learn with Jackie
Cuisine: Learn with Jackie
Keyword: how to, keep berries fresh, learn with jackie

Equipment

  • containers
  • colander
  • paper towel

Materials

  • fresh berries
  • apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • Fill a large bowl with 3 cups water.
  • Add 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar.
  • Pour berries in. (You can reuse the water mixture for each type of berry during a prep. I do raspberries last because they’re the messiest)
  • Swish the berries around and remove any smooshy ones. Let them soak for a few minutes.
  • Transfer to a colander and rinse with cool water.
  • Pour into a clean dish towel and gently dry.
  • Line a storage container with a paper towel and transfer dried berries to the container. Seal and store in the fridge!
Related posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Want Jackfruitful Recipes straight to your inbox?

Subscribe by leaving submitting your email!