How To Clean Strawberries With Vinegar And Water

The Very Best Way to Clean Strawberries

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Strawberries in plastic clamshell container. — Credit: Sarah Crowley

If you were drafting your list of the MVPs of fruits, I'd bet that strawberries would be at the top. This vibrant and flavorful fruit is tastiest and juiciest during the summer months when it'due south in season, although even out-of-season strawberries tin be delicious in recipes similar strawberry cupcakes, strawberry-rhubarb pie, strawberry poundcake, and strawberry lemonade.

When you pick up a pint or ii of fresh strawberries rom your local farmers market or grocery store, you'll need to take a couple steps to brand sure they're in keen shape for eating out of hand or making delicious treats like strawberry shortcake. Although y'all might be tempted to snack on some right out of the container, you lot should brand sure your strawberries accept been properly washed to remove any dirt, pesticides, and tiny bugs.

Read on for skilful advice on how to brand sure your strawberries are make clean and fix to eat or cook with. (If you are not planning to eat them correct away, here's how to properly store your strawberries)

How to Clean Strawberries

While simply rinsing strawberries under absurd running water is an piece of cake option, the very best way to clean strawberries is by soaking them briefly in a mixture of salt and water, says Eleana Kaidanian, a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and fettle expert. Using almost ane tablespoon of kosher salt per loving cup of water, soak strawberries in a large bowl of salted cold water for five minutes. Then, transfer the berries to a colander and rinse under cool running h2o for most a minute.

"Salt has abrasive qualities that can be used to literally scrub away surface dirt or contaminants," says Kaidanian. These lightly abrasive qualities hateful that salt h2o cleans better than water alone. Kaidanian says this philharmonic is too great because it's sustainable, cheap, and easy, and doesn't change the flavor of the berries.

While some sources recommend using blistering soda or distilled white vinegar to clean strawberries, Kaidanian says it'south better to keep things uncomplicated with common salt. "Baking soda or other cleaning agents can blot into the soft skin of the fruit and not wash off completely," says Kaidanian — and this could compromise the flavor and texture of your food.

More than on Cleaning Strawberries

Another tip: Considering berries go bad very chop-chop once they are exposed to moisture, just wash equally many as you plan to use. "If you do want to wash them all to keep in the fridge set to eat, you must completely dry them earlier storing to keep them from turning as quickly," says Kaidanian. You lot can dry strawberries by laying them out on a baking canvas lined with clean paper towels or a kitchen towel. Gently merely thoroughly printing the tops and sides of the berries to remove excess water earlier storing them in the fridge.

Endeavor Some of Our Favorite Strawberry Recipes

Cory Fernandez

Acquaintance Food Editor

Cory is the Associate Food Editor at Kitchn. Previously an editor at Nutrient Network Magazine, Cory loves making common cold brew at home, trying out new soup recipes, zhuzhing up Trader Joe's finds, and putting everything seasoning on something. When he'due south not in the kitchen, you tin notice him looking for a new crime doc to watch with a drinking glass of Invivo X, SJP'south sauvignon blanc nearby.