When it comes to selecting the right cucumbers, flavor and freshness are everything. As such, maintaining the shelf life and quality of your produce is absolutely critical.
Here are 4 key points to keep in mind if you want to get the greatest shelf life out of your cucumbers.
1. LIMIT ETHYLENE EXPOSURE
Ethylene is a gas emitted by many fruits and vegetables as they begin to ripen. While non-toxic to humans, exposing this gas to ethylene-sensitive produce like cucumbers can cause them to spoil prematurely. If you’ve ever noticed a yellow discoloration in your cucumbers, it’s likely a result of storing them too close to ethylene-producing produce, such as apples, grapes and peaches.
2. CONSIDER THE HUMIDITY LEVELS
Humidity is one of the most important factors when it comes storing your produce. For cucumbers, the optimal humidity level to store them at is 85-95%. Storing them in conditions with a lower humidity level than this can cause the cucumbers to shrivel prematurely. Instead, try storing the cucumbers in your fridge’s humidity-controlled drawers, with the level set to high.
3. TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Many types of produce are preserved best when stored at room temperature, and many others are preserved best when refrigerated. For cucumbers, the optimal storage temperature is between 50-60˚F. Storing your cucumbers at a temperature higher than this could result in premature softening, eliminating the signature crunch that a cucumber provides.
4. CAREFUL INSPECTION
When selecting the perfect cucumber for your next meal, it’s important that you first give it a quick—and careful—inspection. If the cucumber has soft or sunken ends, it’s an indication that it has overly-matured. The ideal cucumber should be firm from end to end.
FAQs
To avoid chilling injuries like pitting, store cucumbers in the refrigerator door—the warmest spot in a refrigerator. If your refrigerator has a crisper drawer with built-in humidity controls, this is another good storage option. Set the crisper drawer to high humidity and your cucumbers will stay fresh longer.
What is the best way to store cucumbers to keep them fresh? ›
To avoid chilling injuries like pitting, store cucumbers in the refrigerator door—the warmest spot in a refrigerator. If your refrigerator has a crisper drawer with built-in humidity controls, this is another good storage option. Set the crisper drawer to high humidity and your cucumbers will stay fresh longer.
Does wrapping cucumbers in foil make them last longer? ›
Wrap your cucumbers: it's an easy way to lock in moisture and keep them from ripening into mush. Cucumbers are sensitive to ethylene, a natural gas given off by some fruits and vegetables that can cause quick ripening, but a protective layer can help prevent exposure to that, too.
How do you make cucumbers last 2 weeks? ›
Cucumbers are sensitive to ethylene gas released by other fruits or vegetables nearby and wrapping helps protect them from it. (If you do opt for the crisper, vents open, please.) The best option, however, is to seal your wrapped cucumber in a zip-top bag and store it in the fridge door.
Why do my cucumbers get soft so fast? ›
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.
Do cucumbers keep better in the refrigerator or on the counter? ›
Even though cucumbers are prone to chilling injury, the fridge is still the best place to store them. At room temperature, cucumbers will only last for about two days. So, what's the solution? Store cucumbers in the warmest part of the fridge — towards the front, furthest from the cooling elements.
How do you store cucumbers so they don't mold? ›
Once your cucumber is clean and dry, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. This will help to keep condensation and humidity at bay, preventing sogginess, mold, and overall deterioration. These two steps—cleaning and swaddling—work well to protect any leafy greens, herbs, or tender veggies in your fridge.
Can you store cucumbers in a Ziploc bag? ›
Common Practice #2: Wrapped in a Paper Towel and Refrigerated. This method involves wrapping clean cucumbers in paper towels, placing them in a zip-top plastic bag or plastic wrap and storing them in the refrigerator. This practice doesn't hurt the cucumbers, but it is unnecessary.
How do you increase the shelf life of cucumbers? ›
Therefore, cucumbers will last longer if you store them, dried and wrapped, in a mesh produce bag or something that allows for a bit of airflow. Some air circulation will keep the cucumbers crisp, dry, and fresh for a longer period of time.
Does vinegar make cucumbers last longer? ›
The acidity in vinegar removes bacteria to keep them fresh #minitutorials #easytutorial #groceryshopping.
"It's best to place them in a breathable bag or wrap them loosely in a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture," says Carla L. Schwan, Ph. D., assistant professor and extension food safety specialist director at the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Why are my cucumbers growing long and skinny? ›
Insufficient water - Sometimes your deformed cucumbers could be caused by moisture stress. Cucumbers require plenty of water throughout the growing season. Fertilizer - Fertilization is needed in every garden. However, if your cucumber is funny shaped, you might need to back off your fertilization.
Can dogs eat cucumbers? ›
Can Dogs Have Cucumbers? Cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and offer a low-calorie, crunchy snack that many dogs love. Cucumbers only contain about 8 calories per one-half cup of slices, compared to the 40 calories in a single medium dog biscuit. Cucumbers are also very low in sodium and fat-free.
How to keep cucumbers from getting mushy? ›
Wrap each cucumber in a paper towel, place in a zip top bag and seal. Then store on a shelf in your fridge. This method will keep them crisp for over 2 weeks.
Is it better to store cucumbers in water? ›
While cucumbers need humidity, they shouldn't be wet.
How do you store cucumbers in plastic? ›
Following suit with cucumber distributors, the best way to keep cucumbers fresh at home is to wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Store them in the warmest part of your fridge—towards the front, farthest from the cooling elements as they prefer being stored at around 55°F.
How do you store unwashed cucumbers? ›
Store loosely, or in a mesh bag, in the crisper drawer. Place unwashed in a sealed plastic bag and store in the crisper.
How many days will fresh cucumbers usually last in cold storage? ›
How Long Do Cucumbers Last?
| At room temperature | In the refrigerator |
|---|
| Whole fresh cucumbers last for… | 1-2 weeks | Up to 1 week |
| Sliced or cut cucumbers last for… | – | 1-2 days |
Sep 12, 2019
