9 Food Storage Guidelines You Need To Know ASAP

Some foods you might never guess that they actually belong in the refrigerator instead of on your kitchen counter and vice versa. You might have debates in your family about where certain foods should be kept for optimal freshness. The debate can be over. Just refer to this list.

Here is a list of different food items and where they truly belong so they taste the best and last the longest. We bet some will surprise you!

1. Avocados

Avocados should also be kept out of the fridge until they are ripe. Once they are ripe and you cut them up, then they should be refrigerated. If you aren’t going to eat the whole avocado at once, keep the pit in. It will keep it fresher a little bit longer.

2. Nuts

This one is kind of shocking but nuts actually belong in the fridge. They can become rancid after a few months if they are left in the pantry. They can also be frozen to last a really long time.

3. Opened salami

Meats like salami, pepperoni or cured ham are often sold unrefrigerated. However, once you open up the package they should be put in the fridge to curb bacteria growth. They should also be eaten within around a week after opened.

4. Ripe bananas

If you have some very ripe bananas, throw them in the fridge to have them stay fresh for another week. Unless you want to make banana bread, then leave those bananas out and let them turn brown.

5. Natural peanut butter

If you prefer the natural kind of peanut butter, you need to keep it in the fridge. Just take it out about 20 minutes before you plan to eat it and let it thaw a little to give it a stir. If you prefer a more processed peanut butter, that can be kept in the pantry for about a year because of added preservatives.

6. Hot sauce

Hot sauce is actually fine in room temperature. Even once opened you can keep it in the pantry. You can still refrigerate it if you prefer and it will keep its flavor for a long time.

7. Bread

Bread actually goes stale much faster if you put in in the fridge. However, you can keep it in the freezer if you don’t plan to eat it all right away.

8. Cake

If you put a piece of cake in the fridge, it will just dry it out and make it less delicious. Unless the frosting is melting off or it contains a lot of dairy in a filling, keep it on the counter.

9. Tomatoes

Contrary to popular opinion, tomatoes actually belong on the counter instead of the fridge. They will turn mushy if kept refrigerated.

Which foods on this list surprised you about where they are supposed to be kept? If you found this article interesting, please SHARE with a friend!