Blueberries are one of those delicious fruits that are available fresh for only a couple of months each year. These berries have a sour-sweet taste that works well in all kinds of dishes. When fresh blueberries are available, most people will buy a lot and try to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
So, how long do blueberries last? Fresh blueberries will usually last up to 5 days at room temperature, while they will last for 2 weeks in the fridge. To keep them fresh longer, store blueberries in the freezer. Frozen blueberries will last up to 1 year.
In this short guide, we’ll go through how long blueberries last, how to properly store them, how to tell when they are bad, and how to keep them fresh longer. If this is the information you’re looking for, keep reading.
Blueberries Expiration Date
| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Blueberries | 2-3 Days | 1-2 Weeks | 12 Months |
How Long Do Blueberries Last?
For fresh blueberries, it will last 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge. Good quality blueberries are one of the factors for keeping blueberries lasting longer. Make sure to check for bruises and mold when buying them.
If you’re planning to store them outside the fridge, they will usually last no longer than 5 days. If the room temperature is hot, blueberries will last even shorter. It’s always best to take as much as you can eat or need for cooking and put the rest back in the fridge.
When it comes to frozen blueberries, they can last for a very long time. Whether you buy them frozen at the grocery store or freeze them yourself, they can last up to 1 year in the freezer. After a year, blueberries won’t go bad, just the quality will deteriorate. When thawing them, they will be mushy and not that flavorful.
Storing Blueberries
Proper storage is the key to keeping blueberries fresh for a long time. Blueberries are one of those fruits that get bruised easily. This usually happens from having too many blueberries in a container or moving the blueberries around a lot. Therefore, the blueberries will get bruised and go bad quickly.
To ensure the blueberries don’t get damaged, you need to store them properly.
Storing Blueberries Outside The Fridge
Leaving blueberries outside the fridge isn’t recommended as they could go bad easily. It’s best to keep as many blueberries as you need and put the rest in the fridge.
However, if you do need to keep them outside the fridge for any reason, it’s best to keep them covered. You can put them in a bowl and cover it with a wet towel or a cling wrapper. At room temperature, the blueberries can last between 2 to 3 days. If the air temperature is hot, it will probably last just a day before it starts to get mushy.
Storing Blueberries In The Fridge
Storing blueberries in the fridge is the best place for fresher blueberries. In the fridge, you can expect them to last between 1 to 2 weeks. The colder the fridge is the longer it will last.
If you bought the blueberries in a package, it’s best not to store them in the original package. It’s best to store them in an airtight container or in a bowl covered with a cling wrapper.
Can You Freeze Blueberries?
Freezing is a great idea if you’re planning to keep them for a longer period of time. Unfortunately, the blueberry season is only a couple of months per year. Therefore, most people will try to buy as much as possible and freeze them for later use.
Storing them in the freezer will require some preparation first. If you try to just put them in the freezer right after buying them, they will not be fresh in a couple of months in the freezer.
How To Freeze Blueberries
The process of preparing the blueberries for freezing is quite straightforward:
- Put the blueberries in a basket and wash them in cold water. Handle them gently because they get bruised easily.
- Drain the water and pat any water that’s left on the blueberries. Pat them until they are completely dry.
- Place them on a freezer-proof tray or cookie tray. Spread them out evenly so they don’t clump together.
- Put them into the freezer and flash freeze them. They should be frozen in about 20 minutes or so, depending on how cold your freezer is.
- Once frozen, move all the blueberries into an airtight container or freezer bag. Once filled in the bag, squeeze all the air from the bag and put it back into the freezer.
To thaw blueberries, simply take them out and put them in the fridge overnight. They should be thawed in about 4-6 hours, depending on how cold your fridge is. Also, make sure to use them within 2 days after it’s thawed.
If you need to use blueberries right away, you can thaw them on the countertop at room temperature. They should be ready to be used within an hour.
How Do You Make Blueberries Last Longer?
How long blueberries last will start when you buy them and where you bought them from. The best way to keep them fresh longer is to buy quality blueberries. If you’re buying them from the grocery store, choose the best-looking berries. Make sure they are not bruised or have mold on them. If they do, they will probably go bad within a couple of days, even if you try to put them in the fridge.
If possible, avoid grocery stores when buying blueberries. Blueberries sold there are usually mass manufactured meaning millions of blueberries are harvested and packaged daily. This means the quality of the blueberries might not be so good. The timeframe between when it was harvested, packaged, shipped to the grocery stores, and put on the shelves could be anywhere between a couple of days to even a week.
Instead of the grocery store, you could try the farmers market if you have one in your city. Usually, these places will have freshly picked blueberries the day before it’s brought to be sold. Blueberries and most of the other produce are sold by individuals, not a corporation.
This means these blueberries are picked and packed with care and of the highest quality. Blueberries sold at the farmer’s market may be a bit more expensive than at the stores, but you’ll be getting good quality blueberries and those will last long.
Besides the grocery stores and farmer’s market, another great place you can get quality blueberries is to pick them yourself. During blueberries season, most farms allow people to come onto their farms and pick fresh blueberries! Picking blueberries yourself is a guarantee that you’re getting the best quality blueberries. Therefore, the blueberries you get from here will last the longest.
How To Tell If Blueberries Are Bad?
Blueberries start to go bad when they’re exposed to air for too long. You can tell if your blueberries have gone bad by looking at them carefully and checking for signs of spoilage.
Here’s what to look for:
Discoloration. If your blueberries have turned brown or greyish purple, they may not be safe to eat anymore. This discoloration may also be caused by mold growth on the surface or inside of the berries. Mold is another sign that your blueberries are no longer good to eat.
Slimy texture. If the texture of your blueberries feels slimy when you touch them with your fingers, it’s possible that they’ve spoiled and should be thrown away immediately because sliminess is a sign of bacterial growth that could make you sick if you eat them.
Bad smell. If there’s a strong rotting smell coming from your blueberries, they’re probably past their prime and should be thrown out immediately because this is another sign of bacterial growth (and possibly mold) on top of other signs like discoloration or sliminess.
Related Questions
How long are blueberries good for when prepared in a dish?
Blueberries are a popular choice for fruit desserts, as they add a burst of color and flavor to dishes. They can also be added to salads, jams, muffins, and more.
While blueberries last for up to 2 weeks when kept in the refrigerator, they can spoil if not stored properly. When prepared in a dish such as a pie or cobbler, blueberries may only last for one day before spoiling.