Don't leave these foods out of the refrigerator

Foods for your refrigerator

It's a given that meat, fish, and dairy should be kept in the refrigerator, and that canned produce should be kept in cupboards – but you might be surprised to learn that there are a few other everyday ingredients you've been storing incorrectly. To help you figure out what should be kept where, we've rounded up 26 foods that you should move out of the pantry or store cupboard and into the refrigerator. Stored chilled, they'll stay fresh and bacteria-free for much longer.

Click or scroll through our gallery and join us to discover the foods that you'd be better off keeping in the fridge from now on.

Apples

Unlike most other fruits, apples actually benefit from refrigeration. This is because apples release ethylene gas, which makes other nearby fruits and vegetables ripen faster. If you keep your apples in the refrigerator, it will slow down the production of ethylene, making them (and your other produce) last longer. Try to keep your apples away from other fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, and be sure to cover them with a damp sheet of paper towel (or store them in a plastic bag with holes) to keep them at their best.

Avocados

Where you store your avocados really depends on how ripe they are. If they're really firm when you give them a squeeze, leave them out on the kitchen counter to ripen. When they're soft, pop them in the refrigerator to keep them perfect for longer – otherwise, they'll quickly start to go brown and mushy.

Bananas

We've all heard that bananas shouldn't be kept in the refrigerator because it stops the ripening process. This is absolutely true – but once your bananas are perfectly ripe, you can pop them in the refrigerator to keep them at their best for a couple of days. You'll see the skin continuing to brown, but the flesh inside will stay as soft and delicious as ever.

Bottled lime and lemon juice

Shop-bought bottled lime and lemon juices need to be kept in the refrigerator after opening. If left in the cupboard, the flavor can become sourer over time – and some juices will lose their flavor entirely. Lime juice will also start to turn an unpleasant brown color if it's not refrigerated and sealed tightly.

Cakes

When you have leftover cake, it's hard to know whether to pop it back into its box and put it in the cupboard, or to store it in the refrigerator. It really depends on the ingredients of the cake in question – anything with cream, custard, fresh fruit, or cream cheese should go in the refrigerator, while standard sponges can stay in the cupboard. You can also freeze cake; it'll keep its flavor and texture until you're ready to eat it.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe melon doesn’t always need to go straight in the refrigerator – it depends on how ripe it is. A whole melon can sit happily on the counter while it ripens, but once it’s soft and fragrant, it’s best popped in the refrigerator to keep it fresher for longer. As soon as it’s been cut, though, it must be stored chilled in an airtight container and eaten within a few days. Cold storage also brings out its sweet, juicy flavor perfectly. 

Cauliflower

It can be confusing knowing the best place to store different vegetables, but when it comes to cruciferous varieties like cauliflower and broccoli, the refrigerator is always your best bet. While they might last a short while in the cupboard, these hardy veggies stay fresher, crisper, and more flavorful when kept chilled. Refrigeration slows down spoilage and helps retain their texture and nutrients, especially if they’re left unwrapped or loosely bagged to allow a bit of airflow.

Chocolate

While chocolate brand Cadbury say chocolate bars should be stored in a "dry and dark place below 69.8°F," studies suggest that refrigerating your chocolate is best. Exposure to heat and light can cause oxidation, ruining chocolate's taste and look – but keeping it in the refrigerator means it'll retain its flavor for longer. Just remember that, once opened, you should store your chocolate in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing strong flavors from other produce.

Chocolate syrup

Chocolate syrup's high sugar content will prevent it from spoiling quickly, but it'll keep for much longer if you store it in the refrigerator after opening. Though it'll take quite a long time to spoil if you leave it unrefrigerated, you might start to notice changes in its flavor, smell, and texture. Homemade chocolate syrup and sauce lack preservatives, so should always be kept in the refrigerator too.

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Cold-pressed oils

Cold-pressed oils can spoil over time due to oxidization. Flaxseed oil, for example, contains alpha linolenic acid, which means it's unsaturated (and therefore more unstable). While it doesn't have to be kept in the refrigerator, refrigeration will certainly prolong its shelf life by slowing down the oxidization process – retaining its flavor and health benefits for longer.

Corn on the cob

Corn is one vegetable that really must be kept quite cool – this is because its natural sugars start to break down and turn into starch immediately after it's picked. Keeping your corn in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in a bag, will prevent it from drying out and going too starchy. If you're not planning on using it within three days, freeze it.

Dates

Most dried fruits are fine stored in the cupboard – but dates are better off in the refrigerator. This is because they're not as dehydrated as other dried fruits like cranberries and apricots. As such, it's best to keep them cool in an airtight container to preserve their flavor. If you store them in a cupboard, they'll dry out and lose their taste.

Eggs

In the US, eggs are sterilized in order to kill bacteria, which also weakens the eggshell. This means they should be kept in the refrigerator to prevent the bacteria from returning. In most of Europe, disinfecting eggs is illegal; as such, the EU says it's fine to keep eggs out of the refrigerator in a cool, dry place. However, eggs will generally last longer when stored in the refrigerator – ideally in their carton and not in the door, where the temperature can fluctuate. 

Infused oils

Infused oils are great for injecting extra flavor into marinades and salad dressings, or for drizzling over finished dishes. What's more, they're easy to make at home – though you should be aware that preparing and storing them incorrectly could cause botulism. Any fresh herbs, fruits, or vegetables that you add to your oil can contain C. bot (Clostridium botulinum) spores, as well as water, which will allow the bacteria to grow. To stay on the safe side, keep your infused oils refrigerated, and use them within a week.

Jelly

It wouldn't be entirely ridiculous to assume that because of its high sugar content, jelly won't spoil after opening if you keep it in the cupboard. However, it's definitely best kept in the refrigerator. This will help to prevent discoloration, changes in consistency, and even loss of flavor – and most importantly, it'll prevent mold from growing. Another top tip: to avoid contaminating your jelly with bacteria, don't dip food directly into the jar.

Ketchup

Whether ketchup should be stored in the refrigerator or not is somewhat of a contentious question. Some people assume that due to ketchup's high vinegar, salt, and sugar content, it's safe to store it at room temperature. However, ketchup manufacturer Heinz recommends that "this product, like any processed food, should be refrigerated after opening" to extend its shelf life. If you're planning on using the sauce up quickly, it can be left out of the refrigerator, though.

Lemons

If you want your lemons to last for up to four weeks, your best bet is to store them in the refrigerator. If you leave them in a cupboard – or in a bowl on the kitchen counter – the warmer temperature is likely to cause them to go moldy within a week. 

Mustard

Whether it's Dijon or wholegrain, the preservatives in mustard mean it's completely safe to keep it in your kitchen cupboard after opening. However, you'll significantly prolong the quality of open jars of mustard if you store them in the refrigerator. The cooler temperature will help to preserve that beautiful color, and it'll keep its punchy flavor for much longer as well.

Nuts

It's a common misconception that nuts should be kept in the cupboard; however, to retain their freshness, they should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Nuts contain a high percentage of oil, so warm conditions can cause them to spoil quickly. They'll remain edible if they're stored in a cupboard for up to a month – but if you're planning on keeping them any longer, pour them into an airtight container and pop them in the refrigerator.

Nut oils

Peanut butter

Jars of supermarket-bought peanut butter generally contain hydrogenated oils to keep them fresh. Natural peanut butters often just contain ground nuts and a pinch of salt, so oils from the nuts can start to separate if they get too warm. No matter which type you opt for, it's best to keep your peanut butter in the refrigerator once it's opened, as this will reduce the risk of mold developing.

Pickles

While the brine or vinegar in the jar does preserve pickles, they should ideally be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their crunchiness and extend shelf life. The cool temperature helps preserve the flavor and texture while slowing down any bacterial growth. Pickles are typically fine at room temperature when unopened, but once opened, refrigeration ensures they stay fresh and safe to eat for longer.

Potatoes

Until recently, experts advised that potatoes should be stored in a cool, dry place, and not in the refrigerator; it was thought that cooler temperatures caused acrylamide, a chemical substance, to develop faster. However, the advice has now changed – the Food Standards Agency says that storing potatoes in the refrigerator lengthens their lifespan. Green or sprouted parts of potatoes can contain high levels of natural toxins called glycoalkaloids, so it's important to remove the sprouts and cut off any green or rotten parts before cooking.

Pure maple syrup

Tortillas

You got them off the shelf, so they'll be fine in the cupboard, right? Wrong! Not only will tortillas last longer in the refrigerator, but they also won't go moldy as quickly as they would in a cupboard. Tortilla packs are extremely susceptible to temperature changes, which can cause moisture to build up – leading to mold. When stored in the refrigerator, corn tortillas can last for up to eight weeks, while flour tortillas can last for up to four weeks. Meanwhile, refrigerated homemade tortillas will be good for seven days.

Wholegrain flour

It might sound strange, but wholegrain flour (including spelt, barley, and buckwheat flour) benefits greatly from being refrigerated. Wholegrain flour is made from the whole grain, including the hull, which means the flour retains plenty of fiber, vitamins, and other health benefits. Refrigerating will help to preserve the flavor, smell, and quality of wholegrain flour; meanwhile, in a cupboard, it'll last no longer than three months before turning rancid. Just make sure it's transferred to an airtight container before you refrigerate.

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Last updated by Natasha Lovell-Smith.