10 Surprising Foods You Should Be Refrigerating (2024)

You may already know milk, meat and eggs belong in the fridge. But what about less obvious foods? Storing these 10 foods in the fridge will help to keep them safe and taste great longer.

1. Tortillas

Some tortillas are prone to molding. That's why the fine print on many tortilla packages recommends refrigerating after opening. Chill tortillas to help them stay fresh. The date on their package is for quality purposes, so when foods are stored properly they may be consumed beyond their date, if there are no signs of spoilage.

2. Salami

Cured meats including salami are less likely to harbor bacteria than cooked meats, but that doesn't mean they're always 100% safe. Refrigeration can slow potential bacterial growth, but people who are at higher risk of foodborne illness, such as pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should reheat ready-to-eat foods like lunch and deli meats. Store unopened salami in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. After opening, it should be consumed within three to five days.

3. Ripe Bananas

It's fine to ripen bananas on the kitchen counter. Trouble is, they keep ripening, and ripening and ripening. Once they're ready to eat, pop them in the fridge for up to three days. Their skins may turn brown, but they're still fine to eat.

4. Nuts

Nuts' fragile unsaturated fats can go rancid quickly. While that may not hurt your health, it can definitely be bad news for flavor. Keep nuts tasting fresh by stowing them in a sealed plastic or glass container in the refrigerator for four to six months.

5. Maple Syrup

Maple syrup has a surprisingly short shelf life. So if yours is sitting in your pantry, it's time to relocate it to the fridge. Stored in the refrigerator, maple syrup usually can stay fresh for up to a year. However, if you notice any mold growth, be sure to toss it immediately.

6. Dried Fruit

Dried fruit has less moisture than fresh fruit, so it doesn't spoil as quickly, but refrigeration can help it maintain its freshness longer. Keep it in the main compartment of your refrigerator for up to six months.

7. Ketchup

Restaurants may leave their ketchup on the table, but that doesn't mean you should. While its high acid content will keep most bacteria at bay, cool temperatures help maintain flavor and freshness. Refrigerate ketchup for up to six months.

8. Corn on the Cob

After picking, corn begins to lose its sugar content dramatically when left at room temperature. Unless you're going to cook it right away, keep corn in the fridge — husks and all — for one to two days.

9. Chocolate Syrup

Chocolate syrup is an easy way to make a glass of milk taste even better. But not if it has developed funny flavors. Chill yours after opening and you can enjoy it for six months.

10. Pecan and Pumpkin Pies

Made with eggs, these treats are magnets for bacteria. Fresh from the oven, they're okay to eat at room temperature for up to two hours and only one hour if it is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, they should go straight into the fridge and eaten within three to four days or frozen for another time.

Karen Ansel, MS, RDN, CDN is a nutrition consultant, journalist and author specializing in nutrition, health and wellness.

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Looking for credible nutrition information and recommendations? The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' network of credentialed food and nutrition practitioners are ready to help!

As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of food safety and storage practices, I'd like to share my expertise on the concepts discussed in the provided article. My extensive knowledge in this area allows me to provide valuable insights and evidence-backed information.

  1. Tortillas:

    • Tortillas, especially certain types, are prone to molding.
    • Refrigerating them after opening helps prevent mold growth and keeps them fresh.
    • The date on the package is for quality purposes; proper storage can extend their shelf life beyond this date if no spoilage signs are present.
  2. Salami:

    • Cured meats, like salami, are less likely to harbor bacteria than cooked meats.
    • Refrigeration slows bacterial growth.
    • Higher-risk individuals (pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems) should reheat ready-to-eat foods like deli meats.
    • Unopened salami can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; once opened, consume within three to five days.
  3. Ripe Bananas:

    • Bananas can be ripened on the counter, but once ready to eat, placing them in the fridge for up to three days is recommended.
    • Brown skins do not affect the quality or safety of the banana.
  4. Nuts:

    • Nuts, containing fragile unsaturated fats, can go rancid quickly.
    • Refrigerating them in a sealed container helps maintain freshness for four to six months.
  5. Maple Syrup:

    • Maple syrup has a short shelf life and should be stored in the refrigerator for freshness.
    • It can usually stay fresh for up to a year when refrigerated.
  6. Dried Fruit:

    • Dried fruit has less moisture than fresh fruit, but refrigeration helps maintain freshness.
    • Store in the main compartment of the refrigerator for up to six months.
  7. Ketchup:

    • While ketchup has high acid content that inhibits bacterial growth, refrigeration helps maintain flavor and freshness.
    • Refrigerate ketchup for up to six months.
  8. Corn on the Cob:

    • Corn loses sugar content rapidly at room temperature.
    • Store corn in the refrigerator, husks and all, for one to two days unless cooking immediately.
  9. Chocolate Syrup:

    • Chill chocolate syrup after opening to maintain flavor.
    • It can be enjoyed for up to six months when stored in the refrigerator.
  10. Pecan and Pumpkin Pies:

    • Pies made with eggs are prone to bacterial growth.
    • If not consumed within two hours at room temperature (one hour if above 90 degrees Fahrenheit), refrigerate and consume within three to four days or freeze for later.

This information is provided by Karen Ansel, a reputable nutrition consultant, journalist, and author specializing in nutrition, health, and wellness. For further credible nutrition information, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' network of credentialed food and nutrition practitioners is recommended.

10 Surprising Foods You Should Be Refrigerating (2024)
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