Tired of fresh produce going bad fast? These 6 brilliant tips can help you save money and lower food waste!
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When it comes to groceries, one of the best ways to save money is to plan your purchases of fresh produce. This means knowing what you need and how to properly store it when you need it.
One thing to keep in mind is that some produce is seasonal. This means that it's only available at certain times of the year. Knowing when produce is in season can help you save money by buying it when it's cheaper.
Another thing to remember is that fresh produce can go bad quickly. This is why it's important to know how to store it properly. For example, certain fruits and vegetables should be stored in the fridge, while others should be kept out of the fridge.
If you're looking to save money and reduce food waste, you'll want to check out these genius food hacks shared by TikTok user and 'food hacks' expert Nicole Modic!
From extending the shelf life of berries to preventing cucumbers from getting slimy, Nicole, better known for her username @kalejunkie, said that these tips will help you get the most out of your groceries. And best of all, they're easy to do!
So, without further ado, here are some of her top tips:
Credit: TikTok/@kalejunkie
1. Keeping berries fresh for up to two weeks
With berry season still a few months away, prices for these fruits are currently skyrocketing. If you happen to have a stock of berries and are looking to keep them fresh for up to two weeks, follow these simple tips.
First, add your berries to a bowl and mix in 1 cup of vinegar and 3 cups of cold water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then rinse the berries well and dry them off.
Next, line a container with paper towels and place the berries inside. If the berries are still wet and soak the paper towel, promptly replace it as any moisture will lead to mould. Cover the container and store it in a cool, dry place. Your berries should stay fresh for up to two weeks using this method.
It's important to know how to properly store fresh produce and make the most out of your groceries. Credit: TikTok/@kalejunkie.
2. Storing fresh peeled garlic
If you're a garlic lover, you know that there's nothing quite like fresh garlic flavour. But what do you do when you have more garlic than you can use right away?
The best way to store peeled garlic is to put the cloves in a container of water and cover it. Then store it in the fridge. This will keep the garlic fresh and crisp for up to two weeks.
So, next time you find yourself with more garlic than you can use, don't let it go to waste. Store it properly and enjoy it later.
3. Preventing apples from browning for up to 5 days
We all know the feeling of cutting into a fresh apple, only to find that it's already brown and starting to go bad. Even worse, when your grandkid is eagerly awaiting apple slices. It's a frustrating experience, but luckily there's a way to prevent it from happening.
According to Nicole all you need to do is slice the apples, place them in a bowl of cold water, and add 1-2 teaspoons of salt. Let them soak for 5 minutes, then rinse, dry, and store in a covered container in the fridge.
This method works for up to 5 days, which is perfect if you like to meal prep and have sliced apples on hand for the week. No more wasted apples, and no more disappointment!
4. Extending the shelf life of lettuce for up to two weeks
There's a way to keep your lettuce fresh for up to two weeks and believe it or not, you should not wash it.
You read that right, folks! You should not wash your lettuce if you're planning to store it for up to two weeks. Instead, wrap the vegetable in paper towels, and then place it in a plastic bag or a zip-lock bag. Squeeze the air out, seal the bag, and then store it in the fridge. When you're ready to eat the lettuce, wash it then.
Some people might be hesitant to store their lettuce unwashed, but it's perfectly safe. And it could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Lettuce has been in the news lately for being a bit too expensive for some people's taste. Credit: TikTok/@kalejunkie.
5. Keeping herbs fresh
While herbs are a great way to add flavour and nutrition to our meals, they can be difficult to keep fresh. If you're anything like us, you often find yourself throwing out wilted herbs that you've neglected for too long. But it doesn't have to be this way! With a little planning, you can keep your herbs fresh for up to one month.
Here's what you need to do: wash and trim the ends of your herbs, then dry them thoroughly. Next, place them in a jar filled with water, leaving enough room for a plastic bag or zip-lock on top. Pop the jar in the fridge, and your herbs will last for 1-2 weeks. If you use a plastic bag, they'll last for almost one month!
6. Preventing cucumbers from getting slimy for up to a week
Is there anything more disappointing than reaching into your fridge and finding a slimy cucumber? If your cucumbers always seem to turn before you can eat them, there's a simple solution!
Adding just 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to a container of cold water can keep your cucumbers crisp and fresh for up to a week. The baking soda helps to regulate the cucumbers' ethylene gas, which prevents them from getting soft and slimy. With this simple hack, you can enjoy crisp, fresh cucumbers all week long!
We all love a good deal, especially when it comes to fresh produce. But what many people don't realise is that knowing how to store your produce properly can be just as important as finding a good deal in the first place.
When fruits and vegetables are properly stored, they can last longer and stay fresher. This means you can buy them in bulk when they are on sale and won’t have to worry about them going bad quickly.
Overall, planning your purchase of fresh produce and knowing how to properly store it are key to saving money on groceries. By following these tips, you can make sure that you're getting the most out of your produce and not wasting any money!
Do you know other tips for keeping other fruits and vegetables fresh for longer? Share them with us in the comments below!
One thing to keep in mind is that some produce is seasonal. This means that it's only available at certain times of the year. Knowing when produce is in season can help you save money by buying it when it's cheaper.
Another thing to remember is that fresh produce can go bad quickly. This is why it's important to know how to store it properly. For example, certain fruits and vegetables should be stored in the fridge, while others should be kept out of the fridge.
If you're looking to save money and reduce food waste, you'll want to check out these genius food hacks shared by TikTok user and 'food hacks' expert Nicole Modic!
From extending the shelf life of berries to preventing cucumbers from getting slimy, Nicole, better known for her username @kalejunkie, said that these tips will help you get the most out of your groceries. And best of all, they're easy to do!
So, without further ado, here are some of her top tips:
Credit: TikTok/@kalejunkie
1. Keeping berries fresh for up to two weeks
With berry season still a few months away, prices for these fruits are currently skyrocketing. If you happen to have a stock of berries and are looking to keep them fresh for up to two weeks, follow these simple tips.
First, add your berries to a bowl and mix in 1 cup of vinegar and 3 cups of cold water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then rinse the berries well and dry them off.
Next, line a container with paper towels and place the berries inside. If the berries are still wet and soak the paper towel, promptly replace it as any moisture will lead to mould. Cover the container and store it in a cool, dry place. Your berries should stay fresh for up to two weeks using this method.
It's important to know how to properly store fresh produce and make the most out of your groceries. Credit: TikTok/@kalejunkie.
2. Storing fresh peeled garlic
If you're a garlic lover, you know that there's nothing quite like fresh garlic flavour. But what do you do when you have more garlic than you can use right away?
The best way to store peeled garlic is to put the cloves in a container of water and cover it. Then store it in the fridge. This will keep the garlic fresh and crisp for up to two weeks.
So, next time you find yourself with more garlic than you can use, don't let it go to waste. Store it properly and enjoy it later.
3. Preventing apples from browning for up to 5 days
We all know the feeling of cutting into a fresh apple, only to find that it's already brown and starting to go bad. Even worse, when your grandkid is eagerly awaiting apple slices. It's a frustrating experience, but luckily there's a way to prevent it from happening.
According to Nicole all you need to do is slice the apples, place them in a bowl of cold water, and add 1-2 teaspoons of salt. Let them soak for 5 minutes, then rinse, dry, and store in a covered container in the fridge.
This method works for up to 5 days, which is perfect if you like to meal prep and have sliced apples on hand for the week. No more wasted apples, and no more disappointment!
4. Extending the shelf life of lettuce for up to two weeks
There's a way to keep your lettuce fresh for up to two weeks and believe it or not, you should not wash it.
You read that right, folks! You should not wash your lettuce if you're planning to store it for up to two weeks. Instead, wrap the vegetable in paper towels, and then place it in a plastic bag or a zip-lock bag. Squeeze the air out, seal the bag, and then store it in the fridge. When you're ready to eat the lettuce, wash it then.
Some people might be hesitant to store their lettuce unwashed, but it's perfectly safe. And it could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Lettuce has been in the news lately for being a bit too expensive for some people's taste. Credit: TikTok/@kalejunkie.
5. Keeping herbs fresh
While herbs are a great way to add flavour and nutrition to our meals, they can be difficult to keep fresh. If you're anything like us, you often find yourself throwing out wilted herbs that you've neglected for too long. But it doesn't have to be this way! With a little planning, you can keep your herbs fresh for up to one month.
Here's what you need to do: wash and trim the ends of your herbs, then dry them thoroughly. Next, place them in a jar filled with water, leaving enough room for a plastic bag or zip-lock on top. Pop the jar in the fridge, and your herbs will last for 1-2 weeks. If you use a plastic bag, they'll last for almost one month!
6. Preventing cucumbers from getting slimy for up to a week
Is there anything more disappointing than reaching into your fridge and finding a slimy cucumber? If your cucumbers always seem to turn before you can eat them, there's a simple solution!
Adding just 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to a container of cold water can keep your cucumbers crisp and fresh for up to a week. The baking soda helps to regulate the cucumbers' ethylene gas, which prevents them from getting soft and slimy. With this simple hack, you can enjoy crisp, fresh cucumbers all week long!
We all love a good deal, especially when it comes to fresh produce. But what many people don't realise is that knowing how to store your produce properly can be just as important as finding a good deal in the first place.
When fruits and vegetables are properly stored, they can last longer and stay fresher. This means you can buy them in bulk when they are on sale and won’t have to worry about them going bad quickly.
Overall, planning your purchase of fresh produce and knowing how to properly store it are key to saving money on groceries. By following these tips, you can make sure that you're getting the most out of your produce and not wasting any money!
Do you know other tips for keeping other fruits and vegetables fresh for longer? Share them with us in the comments below!
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