17 Food Storage Hacks to Stretch Your Grocery Budget

Looking to lengthen the time between your shopping trips? Check out these storage hacks to keep your food fresher than your clique.

Foil now for more than just transporting cookies!

Tin foil can be used to wrap individual veggies to preserve them longer in the fridge. Try it with broccoli, lettuce, and celery.

Return root veggies to their “natural” habitat.

Store root vegetables, like carrots and radishes, in damp sand or sawdust to extend their shelf life. 

Flip your dairy!

Did you know you can slow bacteria growth in some dairy products? Flip your cottage cheese and sour cream upside down to make them last up to twice as long.

Freezer store bulk veggies.

Did you get a little overzealous on your health food purchase? Chop up half the vegetables, throw them in a Ziploc, and freeze them until you're ready to use.

Mason Jars are the new tupperware.

Glass containers, particularly mason jars, are typically sealed tighter than plastic tupperware and less oxygen is allowed in. Also, glass does not transmit harmful chemicals. Win!

Turn that temperature down.

Lower your fridge temp by a couple degrees to keep your food fresher longer. Note: The standard temperature for a refrigerator is 38 degrees Fahrenheit. 

A whole new meaning to “Cakebread”.

You've probably heard of people freezing wedding cake to keep it fresh for the 1st anniversary celebration. However, did you know putting bread on the "cut" part will keep it from going stale?

Tomatoes are now food and decor.

Contrary to popular belief, tomatoes last longer when kept room temperature rather than cold. Keep the stems up to prevent indentation and bruising on top.

Banana stems need protection.

Does it ever seem like bananas go from green to black, leaving only a few precious hours in between? Separate the bananas and plastic wrap the stems to keep them fresher for up to 4 days longer.

Eggs only last 2 weeks? What a yolk.

If you're slow to go through that carton of eggs, mix the yolks in a bowl with a little salt and freeze the mixture in an airtight bag. This will be good for up to a year!

Combat moldy berries.

Get in the habit of washing your berries when you bring them home. Use one part vinegar mixed to ten parts water and your berries will stay mold-free for days longer.

Not all produce should hang out.

Even though they're supposed to taste similar to the blind eye, potatoes and onions should be separated from each other. They both literally emit gasses to cause each other to spoil faster in storage.

Pantyhose, now with a practical purpose.

Did you know onions will stay fresh for up to 8 months?! Store them in pantyhose with a knot in between each for achieve this. 

Refrigerating bread is not the answer.

Yes, throwing your bread in the fridge may seem to keep it fresher longer (it won't mold as quickly), but it pulls out the moisture faster, thus leaving you with stale bread. If you take awhile to loaf through, store half in the freezer. 

After cutting the cheese, keep it fresh!

Plastic wrap is cheese's worst enemy as it will take over the flavor and then allow it to mold faster. Instead, wrap your cheese in wax or parchment paper and store it in a baggie. If you really want to be clever, you can sub lettuce for the baggie!

Save some thyme by storing your herbs.

If you're one that swears by fresh herbs, but hate how quickly they spoil, try freezing them in individual cubes with olive oil? The oil makes it super easy to thaw and use immediately.

Asparagus Bouquet? Hey, whatever works!

Asparagus stores best when given the ability to continue soaking up water. Cut off the ends and store vertically in a water jar for maximum shelf life.