Photo: Ruby Ruby

How long do cucumbers last in the fridge uncut?

food52.com - The Right Way to Store Cucumbers (So They Don't Turn to Mush)

Why am I gaining on keto?

People who consume too many calories may gain weight, even if they are in a state of ketosis. High fat foods tend to contain many more calories...

Last updated Aug 27, 2022

How can I slim my waist?

Eating a healthy, varied diet that is high in fruits and vegetables — including soluble fiber, vitamin D, and probiotics — is the best plan for...

Last updated Apr 20, 2018

Promotion

Cucumbers are easy to find year-round, but they’re really at their peak come summer (May through August). Once you get home from stocking up on them at the farm stand, grocery store, or even a grocery delivery service like Instacart, which you can shop here, it’s important to know how to store cucumbers. If you take care of these green gems properly, they should last up to a week. Ahead, we’re sharing our top tips for storing cucumbers the right way.

Shopping for Cucumbers

Before you grab any cukes off the shelves (we’re close enough that we can give them a nickname, right?), choose carefully. The best cucumbers will be pure green (not yellow) and have no soft spots. Any signs of wrinkles, shrinkage, or dimples signal that the cucumber is overripe. Overripe or rotten cucumbers will have a sour taste and funky smell, so, unlike overripe bananas or apples, which are great for baking, pass on past-peak cucumbers.

How to Store Cucumbers

According to the Hmong American Farmers Association, your average supermarket cold cucumbers are generally coated with a food-grade wax that makes them safe to store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for up to 1 week, uncut. Unwaxed cucumbers, which are the kind that you’d pick in your own garden, are best when used within 3 days. Store the cucumbers away from avocados, bananas, tomatoes, or melons, as the cucumbers are more likely to yellow quickly due to the exposure of ethylene gas. Although not harmful, ethylene is a gas that is released from fruits and vegetables that causes produce to ripen more quickly. Produce experts recommend that produce like cucumbers should not be stored in plastic bags, like the kind you would pick up in the grocery store, as this will cause them to ripen more quickly. (Though if you’re trying to move an avocado along faster, or ripen bananas for a quick bread, then storing them at room temperature on the kitchen counter in a bag is perfect.)

Using Plastic Wrap

One trick for keeping cucumbers fresh is wrapping them in plastic wrap. Storing them this way will help to slow down their ripening. According to Cook’s Illustrated, wrapped cucumbers lasted longer than cucumbers stored loose or in a Ziploc bag: "The plastic wrap formed an airtight second skin, keeping moisture from leaving the fruit and nearly preventing moisture loss from occurring." Once the cucumbers are tightly wrapped in plastic, store them in an airtight storage container in your refrigerator. Groundbreaking? No. But a surefire way to prevent mushy cukes? Yes.

How to Store Cut Cucumbers

If you’ve pre-cut or sliced cucumbers for snacking or a salad but have some left over, don’t just throw them out or put them in a plastic bag. The best way to store cut cucumbers is to wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in an airtight storage container. The tight, locking seal on the cover of the container will help to keep them extra fresh. Place the container in your refrigerator or in the crisper drawer and use the cut cukes within five days. Do you have any produce storage hacks? Let us know in the comments below!

What chocolate should I eat to lose weight?

Some researchers have found that eating dark chocolate may have a positive impact on your blood sugar levels and will therefore reduce cravings for...

Last updated Feb 23, 2019

Why do I poop after every meal?

Pooping after every meal The gastrocolic reflex is a normal reaction the body has to eating food in varying intensities. When food hits your...

Last updated Jan 15, 2022

Promotion

What are the stages of losing weight?

The 4 Phases of Weight Loss Phase -1 – GLYCOGEN DEPLETION. Glycogen Depletion: ... Phase -2 – FAT LOSS. This is the sweet spot for healthy weight...

Last updated Jun 12, 2019

How many tomatoes should I eat a day?

There is no recommended number of tomatoes to eat per day. Just remember to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet instead of...

Last updated May 8, 2019

Promotion

Can you store cucumbers in an airtight container?

Most people toss cucumbers into the crisper drawer of their refrigerator, which isn't the worst option, but there's a simple trick that will keep...

Last updated Jan 26, 2018

Promotion

What not to do to lose weight?

15 Common Mistakes When Trying to Lose Weight Focusing only on the scale. ... Eating too many or too few calories. ... Not exercising or exercising...

Last updated Nov 18, 2020