August 15, 2024 | Allison Robertson

23 Foods You Shouldn't Refrigerate


Keep These Foods Out of the Cold

Properly storing food is important if you want it to last. Believe it or not, the easiest way to spoil some fresh foods is to put them right in the fridge.

Contrary to popular belief, many foods are actually better left kept on the counter. From fruits and vegetables to soy sauce and hot sauce, here’s 23 foods you should not refrigerate.

Foods Not Refrigerate Split

Tomatoes

Storing your tomatoes at room temperature will keep them juicy and full of flavor.

Placing slightly green tomatoes on your windowsill to ripen with the sun will allow you to enjoy them as soon as they’re ready—providing optimal flavor and texture.

tomatoes on a table at kitchenA.Kolos, Shutterstock

Advertisement

Potatoes

Storing potatoes in a paper bag at room temperature will preserve their texture and flavor. Refrigerating them can actually make them gritty and overly sweet due to moisture.

Potatoes in burlap sackAvocado_studio, Shutterstock

Onions

Onions are more prone to mold when they are exposed to excess moisture—like in the fridge.

It’s best to store onions in a cool and dry place, and separate from your potatoes.

Onions in storageflauma, Shutterstock

Pickles

The best thing about pickles—aside from their strong flavor—is their preservation. They can be stored in the pantry, freeing up space in your fridge.

However, if you’re using store-bought pickles, be sure to check the jar for any refrigeration requirements.

Pickles jarRoman Biernacki, Pexels

Advertisement

Cucumbers

Storing cucumbers in the fridge can actually cause them to become watery and develop pits. They can also go moldy quicker, especially if you’ve already cut a chunk off and then put the rest in the fridge.

Storing cucumbers in an airtight container in your pantry is recommended.

Green fresh cucumber in wooden boxVictoria Kondysenko, Shutterstock

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers should be stored at room temperature for optimal crispiness. Storing them in the fridge can cause them to go wilty and soft rather quickly.

bell peppers in a black bowlReschelle Lowndes, Pexels

Avocados

Avocados will ripen quicker when stored on the counter than in the fridge. Room temperature is ideal for keeping a softer texture as well.

fresh green avocado  in bowlTim Gouw, Pexels

Advertisement

Winter Squash

Winter squashes—such as butternut and acorn—are best kept in a cool, dry place, out of the refrigerator.

Woman  holding a butternut squashIvan Samkov, Pexels

Apples

While many people believe apples will last longer in the fridge, they will actually remain fresh and delicious for up to a week or two on the counter.

After that, however, put them in the fridge to preserve their quality a little bit longer.

Green and red apples in a red bowlSajjad Ahmad, Pexels

Bananas

Bananas will go brown very fast if put in the fridge. They require room temperature, but still should be consumed within a few days after purchase are they will brown quickly.

The best places to store bananas include an open counter, the pantry, or on a dedicated banana hook.

BananasPawel Michalowski, Shutterstock

Advertisement

Berries

Berries will last longer when kept at room temperature. The fridge poses the risk of moisture build-up, which then causes mold inside the berry’s small crevices.

It’s also suggested that you do not wash them until you’re ready to eat them. This will maintain texture and flavor, and keeps them ripe for longer.

blueberries and strawberriesSuzy Hazelwood, Pexels

Melon

Whole melons should be kept at room temperature. Once they’ve been sliced, the pieces can be refrigerated to maintain optimal freshness.

melonRimma Bondarenko, Shutterstock

Fresh Bread

Fresh bread should not be refrigerated. Instead, leave it uncovered at room temperature—as long as you are going to finish it by the end of the day.

If not, storing it in a bread box or paper sack will do, or it can be frozen for later.

fresh homemade breadKarolina Kaboompics, Pexels

Advertisement

Coffee

Coffee grounds and beans should not be refrigerated. Simply store them in a cool, dry place at room temperature, and in an airtight container.

Glass jar with coffee beans,IrenaStar, Shutterstock

Chocolate

While many people love cold chocolate, storing it in the fridge or freezer can cause it to lose flavor over time.

Instead, store it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.

KitKat chocolate bars on shelfEkaterina_Minaeva, Shutterstock

Honey

Storing honey in the fridge can cause it to go hard and lumpy. If you prefer smooth and gooey honey, keep it at room temperature.

honey in a jarAlexandra Morosanu, Shutterstock

Advertisement

Garlic

Storing fresh garlic bulbs in the fridge can affect their texture. Instead, store them in a cool, dry place like a pantry or cellar—separate from your cooking space.

garlicsGena Melendrez, Shutterstock

Hot Sauce

Unless otherwise specified on the label, hot sauce should be kept at room temperature to preserve the rich flavor and intense heat.

Hot Sauce BarJ E Koonce, Flickr

Nuts

Storing nuts in an airtight container at room temperature will preserve the flavor and the texture. The moisture inside the fridge can cause them to go soft.

nuts in jarsLadanifer, Shutterstock

Advertisement

Olive Oil

Olive oil will solidify when stored in the fridge. Instead, store it in a cool and dark area of your kitchen.

olive oilReap red, Shutterstock

Peanut Butter

Some people prefer cold peanut butter, but it maintains its spreadable consistency better when stored at room temperature. In fact, it can last as long as three months in the pantry—after that, refrigeration is recommended.

peanut butter in jarSatsuei_athian, Shutterstock

Vinegar

Vinegar’s high acidity levels prefer room temperature storage. This will also help preserve flavor and intensity.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar  on kitchen countertheCarolynWitt, Shutterstock

Advertisement

Soy Sauce

Much like hot sauce, soy sauce should also be stored in a cabinet—where it can safely stay for up to one year, thanks to its fermentation process.

However, be sure to check the label first as every product is unique.

Soy Saucerachel ko, Shutterstock


READ MORE

Fugu Internal
March 1, 2024 | Marlon Wright

Fugu: The Deadlist Dish In The World

When it comes to Japanese food, none is as rare as fugu, or pufferfish. It's not your average dish—on the contrary, it's known as one of the most deadly dishes in the world.
Jayfai Internal
March 1, 2024 | Peter Kinney

Only Two Michelin-Star Street Food Vendors Exist In The World

While Michelin-starred restaurants are often associated with fine dining and luxury establishments, two street food sellers have broken the stereotype and managed to earn Michelin stars for their outstanding cuisine.
Hakarl Internal
March 1, 2024 | Matthew Burke

Hakarl: An Icelandic Recipe For Shark Meat

Hakarl, a traditional Icelandic dish, offers a unique gastronomic experience with its fermented shark meat.
May 1, 2024 | Allison Robertson

Common Food Products That Secretly Contain Bugs

Uncover the secret ingredient that is present in most foods around the world: insects. From peanut butter and chocolate to broccoli and pasta, find out how many bugs the FDA allows in our food, how it gets there, and why it's permitted in the first place.
Buffalo chicken wing with cayenne pepper sauce
April 1, 2024 | Samantha Henman

The Bizarre Origins Of Beloved Foods

Ketchup used to be made of mussels? Hamburgers aren’t American? A lot of the most popular foods that we regularly eat have origins you wouldn’t believe. From the bizarre to the downright disgusting, when it comes to beloved foods, there are a whole lot of surprises.
Costco rotisserie chicken in a new plastic bag packaging in Japan
May 2, 2024 | Samantha Henman

30 Cult Favorite Costco Products—And 10 Rare Regional Finds

The first time you walk into Costco as a card-carrying adult can be intimidating. There’s so much try—and so MUCH of it. And on top of that, there are a lot of (controversial opinion) products that are just mediocre or straight-up duds. But we’re not here to talk about those. Today, we’re looking at the cream of the crop—the most beloved Costco products, including some rare regional favorites that may be hard to find, but are worth the hunt.