Don’t Let Your Cucumbers Get Slimy—Try This Storage Trick

Cucumbers are a refreshing and versatile summer vegetable, ideal for use in salads, sandwiches, and even cocktails. Whether you plan to pickle them or toss them in grain bowls, proper storage can help extend their freshness in the fridge for up to a week. Discover the best practices for selecting the freshest cucumbers at the market and keeping them crisp and vibrant, so you avoid the disappointment of mushy, slimy veggies.

How to Choose Cucumbers

To ensure you get the most out of your cucumbers, it’s important to know what you’re looking for in each fresh veggie. Here are a list of dos and don'ts to be mindful of when shopping for cucumbers, or when picking cucumbers from your own garden:

• The color of cucumbers should be medium to dark green.
• Cucumbers should be firm without soft spots, bruised flesh, or wrinkles.
• There should be no blemishes, white mold, or yellow spots, as this may indicate rotting, or that the cucumber is overly ripe and on the verge of rotting.
• A fresh cucumber will be fairly odorless. If it is giving off odors, it may be overly ripe.
• Cucumbers should not feel puffy or heavy as though they are full of water.
  

How to Prep Cucumbers for Food Storage

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal health officials estimate that nearly 48 million people are sickened by food contaminated with harmful germs each year. In addition to washing your own hands to remove potential germs and bacteria before handling produce, here are some useful tips for washing your cucumbers once you bring them home to prolong their freshness.

• Gently rub the cucumber while holding it under plain, cool running tap water. The FDA shares there’s no need to use soap or a produce wash. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers.
• Even if you are using the cucumber right away or the same day, still be sure to rinse it with cool water before peeling. This helps ensure dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the flesh of the cucumber.
• After washing, be sure to completely dry the cucumbers with paper towels or an absorbent, clean kitchen towel before storing them. If they are stored wet, the excess moisture may cause them to become slimy and spoil quickly.

How to Prep Cucumbers for Refrigerator Storage

While cucumbers are firm and solid, they aren’t actually the most hardy piece of produce to store. They’re quite perishable and delicate, so they require specific needs to maintain their freshness. By applying these tips and methods, your cucumbers will generally last up to 5-6 days in the fridge.

• Wrap your cucumbers up. Cucumbers, once fully dry, should be wrapped in dry paper towels or a dry, clean tea towel.
• Cucumbers must be stored in the refrigerator if not being used immediately. However, while they do need refrigeration, do not store cucumbers in extremely low chill temperatures. Rather, place them in the warmest area of the refrigerator, which is usually near the front or on the door. If they freeze in a low temperature spot, they will deteriorate, turn gelatinous and heavy with water, and rot from within.
• Once you store them in the refrigerator, they need to live there until ready for use. Once cold, cucumbers will sweat. If they sweat profusely, they can become soft and soggy.

Can You Store Cucumbers on the Counter?

As mentioned previously, cucumbers should be stored in the fridge to prolong their life. If you need to store them for a short time on the counter, place them in a cool, dry place that's away from direct sunlight. Excess moisture can accelerate spoilage so place the cucumbers on a paper towel or keep them in a breathable container.

How to Store Sliced Cucumbers

Store leftover sliced cucumbers in an airtight bag or food storage container in the refrigerator. If you have peeled part of a cucumber and have leftovers, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and then place the cucumber in an airtight zip-top plastic bag or container, and return them to the refrigerator. Sliced cucumbers won't last quite as long as uncut cucumbers, so if prepping ahead be sure to slice your veggies as close to the party as possible.

Airflow vs. Airtight Cucumber Storage

After washing, drying, and wrapping up cucumbers, people often store them in an airtight zip-top bag or container with the best intention of providing a protective shield. However, this method locks in moisture. While this may be ideal for other produce, cucumbers retain moisture quickly and like to be dry and breathe a bit. In an airtight container, they become quickly exposed to condensation, triggering an earlier than necessary demise. Therefore, cucumbers will last longer if you store them, dried and wrapped, in a mesh produce bag or something that allows for a bit of airflow. This air circulation will keep the cucumbers crisp, dry, and fresh for a longer period of time.