• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • About Patryce
    • Food Philosophy
    • How to Use CLG
  • Clean Eating Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Baked Goods
    • Basics
    • Breakfast + Brunch
    • Main Dish
    • Salads
    • Sauces + Dips + Dressings
    • Fermented Foods
    • Sides
    • Snacks
    • Smoothies
    • Soups + Stews
    • Sweet Things
    • Teas and Tonics
  • Clean Living Products
    • All Products
    • Artisan Profile
    • Beauty
    • Body
    • Face
    • Hair
    • Food
    • Fitness
    • Books
    • Air Quality
    • Kitchen Tools
    • Cleaning Products
  • Clean Living Journal
    • All Journal Entries
    • Health + Wellness
    • Grocery + Nutrition
    • Gluten Free Travel
    • Retreats + Seminars
    • D.I.Y.
  • Work With Me
    • Work With Patryce
    • Connect With Patryce

Clean Living Guide

April 6, 2017

My Top Storage Tips For Extending The Life Of Herbs, Greens, Veggies & Fruit

Mason Jars, Glass-Lock Storage Containers and Paper Bags Are All You Need To Keep Your Produce Fresh

Sometimes I surprise even myself with the meals I can whip up towards the end of the week – when the fridge is seemingly empty and it’s been a few too many days for the last of the fresh greens. The meal below is the perfect example!

The root veggie and mushroom ingredients for this Autonomy Farms ground beef and Shiitake sauté, topped with golden beets and Cipollini onions had all been in my fridge (stored as per my tips below) for over a month. It may sound gross, but it’s not! Root veggies are traditionally stored throughout the winter in similar conditions.

  • The mushrooms in the below sauté were about 3 weeks old and in perfect shape because they’d been stored properly.
  • The golden beets and Cipollini onions had both been stored for over a month.
  • The Farmers’ Market fresh arugula and parsley were both on day 6.
  • And finally, the lightly dried calendula petals were on week 3.

It’s really quite a storage system that I’ve worked out! This meal was as fresh and delicious as it looks! Follow these simple storage tips and I promise you will thank me. You’ll greatly extend the life of your produce – saving you money while locking nutrients in for much longer!

All you need to get set up is these basic tools:

  • Salad Spinner with a stop lock mechanism to whisk water off effectively
  • Set of Glass-Lock Containers
  • A few wide mouth 32 oz Mason Jars
  • Why not upgrade to Stainless Steel Lids
  • Unbleached Parchment Paper
  • Unbleached Paper Sandwich Bags 

Leafy and Hearty Greens

Use this method to store your greens and they’ll stay crisp and fresh for a week or longer. What’s even better is that you’ll be set up with ready to eat greens that can be used at a moment’s notice.

  • Wash greens – optionally let soak in a 10% vinegar bath, roughly a few squirts of non-GMO vinegar, for 10 minutes before rinsing the final rinse.
  • Using a salad spinner, dry the greens as well as possible.
  • Place in a large glass-lock container and store sealed in the warmest part of the fridge.
  • To eliminate all contact with plastic, place a sheet of parchment paper between the lid and container. You’ll still be able to snap it shut. See my photo above.

You could alternatively store the dried greens in your salad spinner. But I prefer the large glass container, as salad spinners take up a lot more room. Plus the tight seal of the glass containers works better and I prefer having the greens hanging out for a week in contact with glass, not plastic.

To give you more incentive to, you should know that leaving your greens in a plastic-bag eventually exposes the greens to potentially dangerous bacteria. The humidity in the bag combined with the fact that plastic harbors bacteria, produce a bacteria friendly environment that manifests as precipitation coating the greens. When greens are really wet in those conditions, you would be advised to just throw them out, or at least soak in a vinegar bath.

It’s best to eat greens within 3-4 days of harvest for maximum nutrition, but if you can only buy fresh greens once per week, you’ll at least be getting the most out of your produce this way and avoiding the bacteria found on those moist, plastic-bag stored greens!

Leafy herbs best served fresh, like Parsley, Basil & Cilantro

Mason jars are simply the best “herb keepers.” Whether you choose to add water at the bottom and keep your stems in tact as a bunch, or pack the jar with loose rinsed and dried herbs, in either case the herbs will stay in great shape for a week – and in aesthetically acceptable shape for close to two weeks.

Basil is the most fragile of the leafy herbs, but if dried really well, it should stay in good shape using the Dry Jar method for about a week.

If you don’t  have a salad spinner, put the herbs in a mesh colander, cover with towel and shake water off as best you can.

  1. Dry Jar:
    • Remove the ends, then wash and dry the herbs.
    • Using a salad spinner, dry the herbs as well as possible.
    • Place dry herbs in a 32 oz Mason jar and seal.
  2. Jar With Water:
    • Chop off the tips of the stems. Rinse and dry in a salad spinner with the rubber band around the stems in place.
    • Otherwise shake off as much water as possible while keeping the bunch in tact.
    • Pour a little bit of water into the bottom of the 32 oz jar.
    • Place herb bouquet into the jar, pushing down any willy leaves and seal.

Delicate Culinary Herbs & Rhizomes

Although you could store herbs like oregano, mint, and thyme and rhizomes such as ginger, turmeric with the Dry Jar method, you’re going to be better off storing them in a way where they can dry instead of hold onto moisture.

We tend to use those herbs more sparingly and by letting them dry you can continue to use them as they age.

However the Sealed Glass-Lock option is a very good method for storing delicate herbs such as thyme or mint if you’d like to maintain freshness for 1-2 weeks.

  1. Paper Bag:
    • Loosely spread the herbs out in a paper bag as in the photo above, and keep in the crisper of the fridge.
  2. Hang To Dry:
    • To dry herbs straight away, tie the stems with a rubber band and hang to dry on a hook in the kitchen.
    • Once completely dry, transfer to a Mason Jar, seal and store in a dark cupboard.
  3. Sealed Glass-Lock:
    • To keep fresh and perky for over a week, place a damp towel at the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass container.
    • Arrange the herbs making sure they have plenty breathing room.
    • Keep sealed and store at the bottom of the fridge.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms do best stored in a loose paper bag. When buying mushrooms at a grocery store, seek out a paper bag instead of using a plastic bag.

As you can see in the photo above, these mushrooms have been stored in my fridge for over two weeks and have begun to lightly dehydrate. But the underside of the caps is not mildewy and browned as you often find in grocery stores after the mushrooms have been piled up too high and been exposed to prolonged moisture.

Dried, they’ll be just as delicious and nutritious when rehydrated with Homemade Bone Broth during cooking! These simple steps will save you from having to toss those forgotten mushrooms:

  • Place in a roomy & dry paper bag.
  • Make sure the top is open so that air can circulate.
  • For sticky mushrooms like Wood Ear, place sheets of parchment paper between layers to allow for air flow.
  • Store in the warmest part of your fridge, usually the bottom.

As long as the mushrooms get enough circulation, by not being packed into the bag too tightly, the mushrooms will dry lightly as they age instead of getting moldy. They’ll stay in good shape for a couple weeks stored this way.

Apples, Hard Fruit & Root Veggies

Apples and other fruits like pears, oranges and the like, are best stored in a crisper type environment. This is also true for all root veggies; like beets, squash, carrots, onions, etc.

If you have a basic fridge with limited crisper storage space, use this method:

  • Place the fruit in a large glass container or cardboard box.
  • Using a large plastic bag, place the box with fruit in the bag.
  • Let the bag stay open to allow some circulation.
  • To eliminate contact with plastic, use a sheet of parchment paper between the bag and produce.
  • Store on lower fridge shelves, or the warmer part of your fridge.

If you’re out of space on the lowest level of the fridge, these guys will do fine on a middle shelf. Just don’t keep them at the very top, or else they may get frost bite. Happy fruit and veggie storing!

Filed Under: Cooking Tips, D.I.Y., Grocery + Nutrition

Thank you for following my affiliate links! They help to pay for materials so I can keep researching and creating this content.

This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to take necessary precautions when purchasing any products recommend on Clean Living Guide. Consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before consuming any herbs or botanical remedies. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and get your free guide to “Cooking on the Fly”

Recommended for you

Primary Sidebar

About Patryce + CLG

As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Holistic Health Coach, my approach to health and wellness is rooted in holistic and functional medicine principles. My practice is based on the philosophy that the body's inherent ability to heal itself can be tapped into with tools for a healthy lifestyle focused on supporting mind-body-spirit and with the help of nutraceutical and herbal allies.

Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe To My Newsletter

5 Minute Maca Turmeric Bliss Latte

Purchase products through our Fullscript virtual dispensary.

Aubergine Amaranth Stew & Spicy Peach Basil Salsa

Spicy Peach Basil Salsa

Mediterranean Lamb Paleo Wraps with Piquant Cucumber Salsa

Chłodnik, The Delightful Polish Beet & Buttermilk Cooler

HANAH ONE: A Delicious Spoonful of Antioxidants

Chemical Free Revitalizing Hair Therapy From Organic Excellence

ENTOMO Farms Delicious Gluten Free & Free Range Cricket Protein

Fresh As Can Be, Aromatic Walnuts & Premium Cold Pressed Oil by Corky’s Nuts

Ippodo Kan-no-shiro: Matcha From Kyoto With Love

How To Eat Healthy Homemade Meals When You’re Too Busy To Cook

Latest on Instagram

The best part about #athleisure is squeezing in a The best part about #athleisure is squeezing in a run in between appointments! 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️
Chimichurri makes everything better 🍲 Plus it’s a great way to get a mega boost of vitamins in super condensed bites of cilantro and parsley. I always have a couple condiments going to quickly dress up simple one-pan meals! #onepanmeal #Chimichurri #breakfast
Thank goodness for my Local Butcher Shop! Being in Thank goodness for my Local Butcher Shop! Being in school has made it difficult to make it to the farmers market each week, and attempting to buy good meat at places like Whole Foods has been super disappointing. You just can’t fake pastured and truly fresh meat. Plus these guys are super awesome and will butcher your chicken for you. @thelocalbutchershop #pastureraised #pasturedpoultry #pasturedbeef #grassfedbeef #grassfed #bonebroth #localbutcher #eastbayfoodie #sanfranciscofood #bayareafoodie #healthyeats
This simply delish dish practically cooked itself This simply delish dish practically cooked itself 😋 Can’t beat sweet potato fries roasted in duck fat. A hint of homemade chimichurri sauce and get ready for one splendid bite after another! #chimichurri #chimichurrisauce
Current tea obsession with my favorite teapot 🍵 Current tea obsession with my favorite teapot 🍵✨ Elecampane root is not only a delightfully delicious tea that tastes of violet pastilles, but comes with an incredibly long list of health benefits. Most importantly to me at the moment - noticeable metal clarity! If you haven’t tried it, you must! Be sure to decoct these beautiful roots for a low 20 minute simmer. Then freeze the completely cooled concentrated tea as ice cubes, for instant elecampane decadence. Add honey for the complete pastille experience 🌺 #elecampane #tea #tearitual #teapot #hasami #herbalism #herbaltea #healingherbs #healingtraditions #folkmedicine #mentalclariry #japanesepottery #hasamiporcelain
Here’s what homemade supper looks like when you’re the Condiment Queen and a self-employed full-time biology student with a husband in graduate school and mother to a demanding cat, AKA: don’t have a moment sit and eat, let alone cook for yourself. 
I feel so lucky to have the ability to pull incredible meals together out of thin air in minutes, and that has always been the main goal behind Clean Living Guide. To help more people gain the confidence to prepare homemade food without fuss and stress. 
I haven’t been able to post in months for the afore mentioned lack of time, but stay tuned! I have a lot of exciting things up my sleeve and plan on getting the super fast and easy recipes that have sustained us over the last few months on the blog. Plus other super exciting news! A launch and more✨😊
I'm so excited to share my latest product feature I'm so excited to share my latest product feature with you. This amazing botanical supplement from @hanahliving is an antioxidant rich jam born of the Ayurvedic herbal supplement chyawanprash. The formula is made with wildcrafted herbs, artisanal honey and ghee from India. It's been really helpful with keeping my mind sharp while studying recently! Link in bio or head to Clean Living Guide > Clean Living Products.
#chyawanprash #ayurveda #ayurvedalife #ayurvedamedicine #ayurvedahealing #ayurvedichealth #mindbody #alzheimers #alzheimersprevention #memorybooster #brainhealth
Wish you could make your own turmeric latte??? Now Wish you could make your own turmeric latte??? Now you can! In just 5 minutes with just a couple ingredients. Make it with nut milk or raw milk. It's out of this world delicious either way. Get @malkorganics if you plan to go dairy free. Link in bio👆or head to the blog > Clean Eating Recipes > Teas + Tonics. 🍵
#glutenfree #cleaneats #cleanfood #turmeric #turmericlatte #dairyfreelatte #macalatte #celiacresources #celiacrecipes #glutenfreerecipe #frothymilk #frothylove #brainboost #immuneboost #immunebuilder #collagenpeptides
I'm featuring an incredibly well researched and be I'm featuring an incredibly well researched and beautifully illustrated post on iron supplementation on the blog. If you have celiac, you're most likely battling anemia, but thee are many factors contributing the rise in low iron. If you're feeling mysteriously tired and foggy, low iron might be at hand. Supplementation can be really tricky but this incredible guide will walk you through every consideration. Follow the link in my bio or head to Clean Living Guide > Journal > Ultimate Guide To Iron Supplementation. #ironsupplement #anemia #anemiarecovery #celiacresources #celiacdisease #celiacsupport #supplements #supplementguide #lowiron #ferrous #ferroussulfate
Follow @clean.living.guide

Footer

About Patryce + CLG

CLG is here to dispel myths about health & beauty, and to help you cultivate a deliciously healthy lifestyle! Read More…

CLG Favorites

Stay Connected

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Measuring Your Local VOCs with Sprimo Personal Air MonitorWhy Eating Meat May Be Essential For You To Stay Slim & Healthy

Copyright© 2023 · Clean Living Guide by Patryce Kinga Bak

Disclaimer & Disclosure