Do Prunes Need to be Refrigerated?

Do Prunes Need to be Refrigerated?

Most of us stick our fruit and perishables into the fridge without even thinking but for a few of those items, heading into the chilly fridge can cause more harm than good!

Prunes are a great choice if you’re trying to get healthy and eat right so keeping them around for a while helps you continue on the path to success. When it comes to storing your produce, prunes to be precise, dried prunes are the most common form you’ll find at the grocery store.

Do prunes need to be refrigerated? Prunes do not need to be refrigerated. Storing dried prunes in the fridge is not recommended. Moisture from the fridge can invade your container and cause mold or other issues which will ruin the shelf life of your prunes.

Storing and using your prunes correctly is the best way to keep yourself and your family healthy for the long term! It will also save you plenty of money and everyone loves to save a buck or two at the grocery store. Prunes are one of the healthiest fruits on the market and being able to use your product for a long time is vital to you reaching your fitness goals!

Properly Storing Prunes

You’ve just gotten home with your grocery haul and it’s time to start tucking things away for the rest and storing them properly. Some things are a no-brainer: milk goes in the fridge, dried goods in the pantry, but soon that leaves you with just a can of prunes. Where do these even belong?

Shelf Life

Since dried prunes are sealed up well, they can easily be stored in your pantry or other cool, dry place. Once they’re opened, be sure to keep them in this same cool dried place in a sealed container like a plastic bag or Tupperware.

The shelf life of a bag or container of dried prunes is between 6 and 12 months. You can maximize this shelf life by selecting your container carefully and adhering to the expiration dates. To sort out what is good and bad among dried prunes, use your nose to sniff out any weird smells or dust that may have gotten into the batch.

Storage Guidelines

All your prunes are going to come in a sealed package which keeps them freshest! Once you break the seal and consume a few, make sure you get the entire package sealed up again for storage. You’ll want to keep them in a cool, dry place but not in the refrigerator.

Moisture that occurs naturally in your fridge can easily invade your stored prunes and cause them to get soggy, moldy, or dull tasting over time. Prunes are intended to be crisp and fresh and the best way to keep them that way is to store them away from any moisture.

You’ll also want to keep them away from heat and sunlight which can quickly erode the flavor of your chosen prunes. Keeping them fresh for snacking and cooking is the best thing you can think about as you’re getting ready to store a new batch of prunes.

Freezer Tips

While the fridge isn’t the best bet for dried prunes, the freezer is a great option for storing your prunes for quite a while! Once you get home with your haul, package up your prunes in freezer-safe bags or containers and store them flat inside your freezer.

Storing prunes like this is a great way to keep your prunes fresh and edible for years! If you’re eating through them at a fast rate and using them up, freezing them most likely won’t be necessary. But if you want to just use a few at a time over an extended period, sending them to the freezer might be a good option.

Since prunes are dried already, you’ll simply need to find some freezer bags or containers that can be easily scaled up and tuck them insecurely. They can be tossed into bags or containers haphazardly as they’re already dried but you’ll need to make doubly sure that they are sealed incorrectly. This prevents them from getting moisture inside or being freezer burned as they’re tucked away in the freezer.

Best Ways to Use Prunes

Now that you’ve safely stored your prunes away for a later date, it’s a good idea to start thinking of all the awesome ways you can use them!

Snacks

Storing your prunes in the pantry where it’s cool and dry is a great way to keep them available for snacking throughout the day. Prunes make an excellent snack for anyone wanting to cut back on the number of carbs they eat throughout the day.

Breakfast

Adding prunes to your oatmeal or in addition to other breakfast items is a great way to up the flavor and help keep you on track with your health goals throughout the day. Being able to easily pull these from the cupboard or freezer to add to your meal is simple and effective and keeps you on track with your goals.

Blend up some prunes into your daily smoothie to help keep your body hydrated throughout the day. Prunes don’t carry a large flavor profile so adding them to a smoothie or shake gets you all of the health benefits without an overwhelming taste.

Add them into a fruit bowl to give your favorite breakfast or snack item a different taste and texture! Prunes are great for your body and give you tons of benefits that you won’t find with other snack items. They’ll fill you up fast so you won’t be tempted by other snacks later in the day.

Final Thoughts

Prunes are a great way to keep your diet and fitness goals on track! They’re simple to store and will last a long time on the shelf.

Your nose is your best detection tool when looking at your prunes. If they start to smell musty or like dust, it’s time for something new. Storing them in a cool, dry place is the best way to keep them fresh for the next time you need a snack!