How to Know if Blueberries Are Bad (And How to Store Them Right)

PDF download Download Article
Plus, learn how long blueberries are good for in the fridge or freezer
PDF download Download Article

Blueberries are nature’s candy, jam-packed with sweetness, vitamins, and antioxidants. Whether you prefer them in a yogurt bowl, as jam, or all by themselves, blueberries are well-loved for good reason. But how can you tell if the box of blueberries in your fridge is still good to eat? And what are some signs that blueberries are definitely past their prime? Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to blueberry shelf life and storage tips.

How do you know if blueberries are bad?

Bad blueberries often show signs of discoloration, mold, and mushiness. They also may have an unpleasant or sour smell and taste. Blueberries keep fresh for up to 2 weeks in the fridge and about 10 months in the freezer. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge with paper towels between each layer of berries.

Section 1 of 6:

Signs Blueberries Have Gone Bad

PDF download Download Article
  1. Mold on blueberries typically looks like white and/or fuzzy spots. If you catch it early enough, moldy blueberries should not affect the entire bunch, so it’s important to be very careful when initially washing your produce before storing. You can usually pick out the moldy berries and the rest should still be safe to eat. [1]
  2. 2
    Mushy texture Blueberries should be plump and firm with smooth skin. Wrinkling or shriveling is another sign that the blueberries are no longer good to eat. Your blueberries should not be mushy either, as this is another indicator of spoilage. This means the blueberries have lost their moisture, usually meaning that they’re past their prime. [2]
    • Mushy blueberries may still be used in certain recipes, like pies or smoothies, as long as there is no visible mold.
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Discoloration Fun fact: blueberries are actually purple, and that’s the color they should stay in your fridge. Any discoloration, dullness, or “lifeless” appearance is a sign of spoilage.
  4. 4
    Sour or off-putting smell Blueberries naturally smell sweet, so if you notice a sour, bitter, or otherwise off-putting smell, it’s time to throw them in the trash. The bad odor may be a result of mold growth or the fruit’s sugars breaking down. Either way, if it doesn’t smell tempting to eat, don’t eat it.
  5. 5
    Unpleasant taste Tasting your batch of blueberries to determine whether they’re still good or not should be your last course of action. If you do pop one in your mouth and it tastes sour, then either the blueberry was harvested before it ripened, or it’s spoiled. No matter what, eating a whole bunch will be unpleasant at best and unsafe at worst. Avoid it! [3]
    6. Advertisement
Section 2 of 6:

How long are blueberries good for?

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Fresh blueberries can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you have short-term plans for your blueberries, for example, and want them to be on hand, you can store your berries at room temperature for about two days. It’s best if you keep them in the ventilated container they come in, out of the heat and humidity. [4]
  2. 2
    Fresh blueberries can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Freshly picked or store-bought blueberries typically last up to 14 days in the fridge as long as they are properly washed and stored. The sooner you eat them, however, the fresher they’ll taste. Try to eat your blueberries by the 10-day mark, as they should still be ripe but firm and tasty. [5]
  3. 3
    Frozen blueberries can last up to 10 months in the freezer. If you’ve harvested way more blueberries than you can stomach—literally—freezing your leftovers is a great idea. They’ll be good to eat for about 10 months, although they tend to peak in flavor at the 6-month mark. You can toss frozen blueberries into smoothies and yogurt bowls, bake them into pies and muffins, or heat them up on the stove to make jams, jellies, and syrups. [6]
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 6:

Storing Your Blueberries Properly

PDF download Download Article
  1. Once you’ve returned home from blueberry picking or the grocery store, thoroughly wash your blueberries under cool water, careful to pick out the mushy or split ones. Then, pat them dry and find a suitable airtight container for them.
  2. 2
    Refrigerate your blueberries in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Once you’ve selected your airtight container, line the bottom with a paper towel. Then, add one layer of blueberries, followed by another paper towel. The paper towel acts as a barrier between each layer, helping the berries to retain their moisture. [7]
    • Store the blueberries in the center part of the refrigerator instead of the crisper drawer for better airflow.
    3. Advertisement
Section 4 of 6:

Freezing Blueberries

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Freeze blueberries on a baking tray, then store in a freezer bag. If you’ve washed the berries, pat them dry. Then, line a baking sheet of your choice with parchment paper and spread the berries out in a single layer. Space the berries out so they don’t clump together during the freezing process. Place the baking tray in the fridge and allow the blueberries to freeze for a few hours or overnight. Make sure the berries are completely frozen and then transfer to ziplock bags, squeezing out as much air as possible for optimal storage. [8]
    • Personal chef Jennifer Levasseur says, “It’s best to label your bag with the date and description of its contents.”
    • Those who wash the berries before freezing should make sure they’re as dry as possible before storing.
    • Those who choose not to wash them will have to wash them later on, but allowing them to keep their waxy coating while in the freezer can help prevent freezer burn.
  2. 2
    Thaw your blueberries by leaving them in the fridge overnight. When it comes to thawing your frozen blueberries, Levasseur advises to, “Place them in the refrigerator so they will thaw naturally to eat later. Or, you can run them under room temperature water through a strainer and place them in a bowl in the fridge.”
    3. Advertisement
Section 5 of 6:

FAQs

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Do I have to wash blueberries before eating them? Yes, you have to wash your blueberries before you eat them. Washing your blueberries helps to remove dirt, debris, bacteria, and pesticides. You can either wash them when you first buy them or wait until you’re ready to eat them. For extra cleanliness, you can soak your blueberries in a solution of water and a spoonful of vinegar. Make sure you dry them carefully so they don’t get mushy. [9]
  2. 2
    Do bad blueberries sink or float? In general, rotten blueberries tend to float, since they’ve lost their sugars and moisture, and are therefore naturally lighter. Ripe, juicy blueberries tend to sink because they’re more dense and weighed down by sugars. [10]
  3. 3
    Is it OK to eat bad blueberries? No, it’s not safe to eat bad blueberries. Rotten or moldy blueberries can carry bacteria that make you sick, with potentially serious complications if you’re allergic to mold.
  4. 4
    Do you have to throw the whole container away if one blueberry is bad? No, one moldy blueberry does not render the entire batch inedible. If you notice only a couple of mushy and/or moldy berries, you should be fine to toss those out and eat the rest. On the other hand, if over ¼ of the berries appear mushy, it’s best to toss them all out. [11]
  5. 5
    What are some ways to use blueberries? Blueberries are delicious to eat by themselves, and they also make great toppings for yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, and other tasty foods. If you love blueberries in a baked good, check out our tasty recipes for blueberry crumble , blueberry muffins , and blueberry cobbler !
    6. Advertisement
Section 6 of 6:

Final Thoughts

PDF download Download Article
  1. Blueberries have a 2-week shelf life in the fridge and months in the freezer. It’s fine to pick out the moldy berries of the bunch and eat the rest, but only if the large majority of the berries look and smell good. You can choose to wash them before you store them so you don’t have to wash them later, or you can wash them right before you decide to eat them. It’s up to you!

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How Long Does Ham Last? Tips for Storage and More
      Telling Signs a Pineapple Has Gone Bad
      4 Ways to Tell if Chicken has Gone Bad
      5 Warning Signs That Pork Has Gone Bad
      How to
      Tell if an Egg is Bad
      How to
      Tell if a Sweet Potato Has Gone Bad
      How to
      Tell if Mayo Is Bad
      How to
      Tell if Lettuce Has Gone Bad
      3 Telltale Signs That Ground Turkey Has Gone Bad
      How to
      Check if Your Bacon is Spoiled (And How to Keep it Fresh)
      How to
      Tell if an Avocado is Bad
      5 Signs a Lemon Has Gone Bad + Best Storage Tips
      How to
      Tell If Raw, Frozen, or Cooked Steak Has Spoiled
      How to
      Know if Meat Is Bad (& How to Prevent Spoilage)
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.snexplores.org/article/why-blueberries-blue-crystal-pigment
      2. ↑ https://foodprint.org/blog/how-to-use-leftover-berries/
      3. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-store-blueberries-8695243
      4. ↑ https://kenburnorchards.com/blueberry/blueberry-faq/
      5. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/how-to-store-blueberries
      6. ↑ https://blueberry.org/recipe/type/using-frozen-blueberries/
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-way-to-store-blueberries-23546535
      8. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/food/fruits/how-to-freeze-blueberries
      9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/3-berries-to-wash-right-away-and-3-you-never-should-231658
      1. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/how-to-pick-the-sweetest-blueberries-11722205
      2. ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-does-one-moldy-berry-spoil-the-whole-bunch/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 47 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement