17 Foods That Should NOT Be In The Fridge

17 Foods That Should NOT Be In The Fridge

A lot of us have been brought up to think of the fridge as a place to increase the shelf life of food and drink. Certain foods, when put in the fridge, can taste different and their textures can be ruined.

Before you unpack your weekly shop - here's a list of 17 food items that are happy OUT of the fridge. Putting them inside the fridge may lead to spoiled produce, so an awareness of the following items will mean you waste a lot less food.

1. Garlic

garlic clove
Don't keep it in the fridge!

It's best to store your garlic in a dry, dark place. If you put it in the fridge, the bulbs will start to sprout and the taste will be ruined!

2. Onions

Don't keep onions in the fridge - they'll dry out. Store them at room temperature for four days, allowing plenty of air to circulate around them.

Do not store them near potatoes, as they are not friends - spuds give off moisture will cause your onions to spoil.

3. Basil

Keep basil fresh by cutting the stems and placing it in a jar with water. Treat basil like they're a bunch of flowers - it will certainly make the room smell lovely.

4. Hard Avocados

avocado market stan
They won't soften in the fridge!

There's nothing worse than a hard avocado... actually maybe finding it rotten is worse!

Storing a hard avocado in your fridge will slow the ripening process so, instead, allow it to ripen at room temperature, using a paper bag to speed up the process.

5. Apples

If you're a fan of apples, then you'll like to know that apples can be stored at room temperature for a week. They'll be completely fine to eat and enjoy!

6. Potatoes

Place your spuds in a dark, dry and cool space. Remove them from plastic bags and try storing them in a cardboard box. Do not wash them before storage, because you may cause them to spoil early.

7. Bread

fresh bread on market
Don't dry it out!

Don't put your bread in the fridge, it will only get tough, stale and lose its delicious taste.

Make sure you and your house dwellers remember to seal your loaf up to retain its moisture. To keep it even fresher, why not buy a bread bin? 

8. Honey

Don't put honey in the fridge, it will crystallize and become incredibly tricky to spread! Store it in the cupboard and enjoy a smooth spreadable consistency.

9. Tomatoes

Interesting!

Allow tomatoes to ripen at room temperature and once ripe, use a cooler spot to keep them for longer.

That said, if you've used tomatoes to make a delicious salsa, this will need to be stored in the fridge - it's safer to store any cut tomatoes this way.

10. Green bananas

As with the avocado, the cold temperature of the fridge will slow down the ripening process. If you want a nice yellow banana, keep it out the fridge and if you want to speed up the process, put it in a paper bag.

11. Coffee

instant coffee granules
It's best served dry.

If you need your cup of coffee in the morning, you should know what it likes! Protect coffee from moisture, heat and light, placing it in an air-tight container in a dark, cool place.

12. Maple Syrup

Like honey, maple syrup does not like the fridge. Store it in a cupboard, away from direct sunlight. The pour lashings of it over waffles, pancakes, bacon or directly into your mouth.

13. Watermelon

Studies show that keeping a watermelon in the fridge will have an effect on its nutritional value.

Storing watermelon at room temperature means it will have significantly more nutrients and antioxidants than a watermelon that is fridge-bound. How interesting!

14. Pastries

Croissants, cinnamon whirls, pain au chocolat - there's no need to keep them in the fridge.

Cover them up with foil and keep them at room temperature for up to two days.

15. Aubergine

avocado market stand
How do you serve yours?

The best place to store aubergine (or eggplant) is at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

Do not seal it in a plastic bag, as this can speed-up decay.

16. Butternut Squash

Keep this beauty on a shelf in a dry, dark, cool place. If you stick it in the fridge it may change the flavour - we don't want that now.

17. Peanut Butter

peanut butter jar
It doesn't need any help staying fresh.

Yum! There's no need to store your peanut butter in the fridge - it will keep well for around 3 months in a dark cupboard at room temperature. Now... where's that jam?

Hope you have enjoyed the list! Let me know if you have any more foods that you think should be kept out of the fridge below...

Colleen B

Editor

Lifelong biscuit addict. Obsessed with recipes, cooking & eating. Slightly lazier than the average bear, so likes writing about life hacks & discovering the quickest / easiest way to do things.

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  1. Author Terri on September 13, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Cucumber ? It's mostly made up of water and putting it in fridge will make it turn into mush before you get to enjoy any in sandwiches or salad.

    1. Author Stephanie C on September 19, 2017 at 12:59 pm

      Hi Terri. I usually keep mine in the fridge, but will definitely give this a go. Thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
  2. Author Abdul on October 21, 2019 at 8:15 am

    Carnot I be sent a paper booklet instead of e-book ? Any chance?

    1. Author Joanne A on October 21, 2019 at 11:40 am

      Hi there! Unfortunately, we only have the option of an e-book, but you're welcome to print it at home so that you have a physical copy.

    Reply
  3. Author Val doyle. on November 20, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    Buy a aerosal spray empty then fill with cooking oil saves you pounds

    1. Author Joanne A on November 21, 2019 at 12:30 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Val!

    Reply
  4. Author Amellia on February 8, 2020 at 9:46 pm

    Peaches, plums and lemons, limes. Stone fruits should not be refrigerated, because they wont ripen

    1. Author Joanne A on February 10, 2020 at 3:00 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Amellia!

    Reply
  5. Author paul palacio on September 8, 2020 at 8:13 am

    The great 'Egg' debate, i do not put eggs in the fridge, they are not sold in the chilled aisle with the veg and only viable answer i have had is outside in the cooler months fridge in the summer,

    1. Author Joanne A on September 24, 2020 at 12:56 pm

      That does make sense!

    Reply
  6. Author CatCat on November 13, 2020 at 7:52 am

    Loved it. Shared it

    1. Author Joanne A on November 16, 2020 at 9:50 am

      Thank you!

    Reply
  7. Author Carole on April 12, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    Very good advice I never put perisherbles in the fridge has they go off, and taste srange, I have had them from a friends and noticed that she always put most of hers in the fridge,,,,I just keep my milk and cream and other soft foods like soft cheese, and cooked bacon, also I have on occasion put eggs in the fridge but only for short periods..

    1. Author Joanne A on April 16, 2021 at 4:20 pm

      Thanks for the kind words, Carole!

    Reply
  8. Author Linda on May 8, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    I always keep jam (not honey , marmalade or peanut butter ) in the fridge and don't get mouldy jam if it hasn't been used up quickly.

    1. Author Joanne A on May 10, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks for sharing! I'm sure many people keep it in their cupboards.

    Reply
  9. Author linda negbenebor on October 1, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    If you have a large glass jar standing there doing nothing , keep your summer fruits ie: strawberries etc in these will stay fresh for up to 3/4 weeks Lynda Norwich

    1. Author Joanne A on October 11, 2022 at 9:30 am

      Great idea!

    Reply
  10. Author Sharon on April 3, 2022 at 8:37 am

    When buying prepared mixed salad leaves,when opened place two sheets kitchen towel in bag on one side resealing with a food clip. This will help the leaves from spoiling so fast,and keep the nutrients in . It stops a lot of moisture building up. My other great tipI have is for cheese .I use a click box but always find it gets damp so if cheese is opened it starts to grow mould on, I know cheese can be ok like this for while, but I will freeze half for another time ,all it does is making it a bit crumblier (Great for cooking). And rest that's in the clean click box ,again good old kitchen towel to help keep moisture at bay

    1. Author Joanne A on March 8, 2023 at 5:17 pm

      Great suggestions! Using kitchen towels to absorb excess moisture can keep salad leaves fresher for longer. Freezing half of an opened cheese and using kitchen towels to absorb moisture in the container can help preserve it and prevent it from becoming mouldy.

    Reply
  11. Author Zoe on March 30, 2024 at 8:10 am

    Hi, what about cut up Watermelon?

    1. Author Joanne A on April 15, 2024 at 10:08 am

      Store cut-up watermelon in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep it chilled to maintain freshness and avoid freezing to preserve its texture.

    Reply

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