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Don’t Trash Your Groceries (or Your Cash!): 12 Clever Hacks to Make Food Last Longer
Here’s a sobering thought: America reportedly tosses out roughly 40% of its food supply every single year. That’s not just a blow to the environment; it’s a direct hit to your wallet.
Whether you’re on a mission to slash food waste, trim your grocery budget, or both, these smart strategies will help ensure more of your food makes it to your plate and less ends up in the bin.
1. Freeze Your Bread
Give both your artisan sourdough and trusty sandwich loaf a longer lease on life by popping them in the freezer. While most store-bought breads have additives to ward off mold for about a week, frozen bread can stay fresh for up to two months.
2. Keep Cut Herbs in Water
Think of it like a mini-bouquet for your herbs! Just like flowers, parsley, cilantro, and dill will stay fresher longer if you stand them upright in a glass of water. Store them in the fridge this way, making sure there’s enough air circulation around the tops to prevent the leaves from freezing.
3. Buy Fruit at Different Stages of Ripeness
Instead of grabbing a giant bunch of perfectly ripe bananas or a huge bag of ready-to-eat apples, try selecting fruit at various stages of ripeness. This way, you can enjoy your produce at its peak deliciousness and avoid the sad fate of finding a pile of overripe fruit in your kitchen.
4. Rescue Stale Cookies with a Slice of Bread
It’s a culinary tragedy when fresh-baked cookies lose their tender charm. But fear not!
Place them in a plastic container with a slice of bread. The cookies will magically absorb enough moisture from the bread to regain some of their delightful softness.
5. Store Winter Squash in a Cool, Dry Spot
These hearty veggies are built to last! Depending on the variety, winter squashes can keep for several weeks to six months when stored between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit with about 60-70% humidity. For maximum longevity, cure your squash first by storing it at a warm temperature with good air circulation for 10-14 days.
6. Skip the Pre-Rinse for Berries
Strawberries and blueberries might be on the “Dirty Dozen” list, but resist the urge to rinse them until just before you’re ready to eat them. The extra moisture is an open invitation for rot and mold to set in.
7. Freeze Unused Sauces
How many half-eaten jars of salsa or pasta sauce have met a moldy demise in the back of your fridge? Don’t let your memory be the gatekeeper against food waste.
Freeze unused sauces instead. Tomato-based sauces, for example, can last up to six months in the freezer.
8. Slice Off Moldy Cheese
Spot a little mold on your block of hard cheese? No need to toss the whole thing! You can safely cut at least one inch around the moldy area and enjoy the rest of the cheese.
9. Use Lemon Juice to Prevent Browning
When cut fruit meets air, oxidation happens, leading to that unappealing brown color. A quick spritz of lemon juice can slow this process down, as its acidity makes the oxidizing enzyme less effective.
10. Cover Banana Stems to Slow Ripening
It’s a familiar disappointment: reaching for a banana only to find it’s turned to mush. This ripening is thanks to ethylene gas, which is emitted from the banana’s stem. To put the brakes on ripening, simply cover the stems with cling wrap or foil.
11. Keep Dairy Out of the Refrigerator Door
Milk, cream, and other dairy products are quick to expire, so give them the coldest spot in your fridge – usually the back of a shelf – to preserve their freshness. While many fridge doors have a convenient spot for a gallon of milk, this area experiences the most temperature fluctuations, which can hasten spoilage.
12. Freeze Veggies Destined for the Sauté Pan
Many vegetables lose their crispness when frozen, but if you’re planning to cook them anyway, this isn’t a concern! Slice and freeze mushrooms, peppers, onions, and any other veggies you intend to sauté. This helps preserve their freshness and prevents them from spoiling before you can use them, ultimately saving you money.
The Bottom Line
Saving money on groceries starts with being mindful of what you have and preventing food from going bad. This can be a challenge, especially with perishable items.
The key takeaway is proper food storage to slow spoilage. With a little thought and planning, you can extend the life of your favorite foods, enjoy delicious meals, and cut down on waste.