There are probably foods in your kitchen cabinet right now that belong in your fridge. Keep your foods fresher for longer, take fewer trips to the grocery store, save money, and keep your fridge full. Here are 15 foods that should always be kept in the fridge.
15 Foods That Should Always Be Kept in the Fridge
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From fruits to vegetables, drinks and condiments, healthy people know the importance of fresh food and a fully stocked refrigerator.
There are probably foods in your kitchen cabinet right now that belong in your fridge. Keep your foods fresher for longer, take fewer trips to the grocery store, save money, and keep your fridge full. Here are 15 foods that should always be kept in the fridge.
Mustard
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It is best to keep your mustard in the fridge to hold on to its distinct flavors for longer. According to eatbydate.com, opened American Mustard and Dijon Mustard last one year past the printed date if they are in the refrigerator.
Butter
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Butter left at room temperature will spoil faster than butter stored in the fridge. It can only be left out for a few days before it goes rancid, according to chowhound.com. “In a typical fridge, butter will keep for as long as four months. It can also be frozen for up to a year.”
Ripe Avocados
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Up until your avocados are ripe, steer clear of the fridge. Once ripe, store in the fridge to keep them from over-ripening.
Eggs
Unless you want to get sick, you should always refrigerate your eggs and avoid eating them stored at room temperature. According to the LA Times, “when eggs are left at room temperature, salmonella can multiply quite rapidly, reaching dangerous levels within a matter of weeks.”
Opened Wine
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Stop leaving your leftover wine – both red and white - on the counter after you open it. Store it in the fridge, the cooler temperature will slow down the breaking down of the wine. See: 6 Surprising Health Benefits of Drinking Red Wine
Milk
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If you want to maximize the shelf life of your milk, make sure it is refrigerated at all times. Tip: Don’t store it on the fridge door – it’s too warm there – store it in the main body of your fridge; it will help the milk last longer.
Grapes
According to Sun World, if stored correctly, grapes could stay fresh for up to three weeks. “Grapes are best kept in the refrigerator at 30 – 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Place them near the back of the refrigerator, as it is normally cooler.”
Cheese
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Prevent your cheese from molding and losing its flavor to quickly by refrigerating it. Tip: keep it between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nuts
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Keep your nuts fresh for up to six months by storing them in the fridge. If you want to keep them fresher for longer, store them in the freezer where they will stay ready to eat for up to a year.
Ketchup
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Once you open the bottle, it should be kept in the refrigerator. Keeping it in your pantry will affect its taste and overall quality.
Soy Sauce
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Although soy sauce is okay at room temperature, those who refrigerate it usually find that storing it in cooler temperatures keeps its flavor and freshness longer.
Tortillas
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Tortillasare usually found sitting on a shelf in the grocery store. But the truth is that storing them in the fridge can actually make them last almost twice as long – at least past the expiration date.
Ripe Bananas
The riper the banana the better it tastes. This is why you should always store your ripe bananas in the fridge. Always remember to only refrigerate them when they are ripe; placing them in the fridge before will prevent the banana from properly ripening.
Lemons
Lemonsare the best way to add some flavor to any dish. Instead of keeping them on your countertop, store them in a cool place. Tip: Put them in a sealed plastic bag and place them in the fridge – they will stay fresher for longer.
Salami
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Whether it is an opened or unopened bag of salami, it is best to keep it stored in the fridge. An unopened package usually lasts about three to four weeks in the fridge, while an opened package lasts about a week less, according to reference.com.