How Long Do Blackberries Last? Fridge, Counter, Freezer (Storage Tips)

Whether from the grocery store or picked by hand, blackberries are a treat that can spoil quickly without proper storage. How long do blackberries last? If you’ve purchased too many to eat all at once or have plans for using them later, read on to learn about how long blackberries last and how you can store them to keep them delicious and fresh as long as possible.

Blackberries can last from one day to many months depending on how they are stored. In the fridge, properly stored blackberries can last from 5-7 days. Here’s how to properly store fresh blackberries on the counter, fridge, and freezer. Plus, 7 ways to tell if your blackberries have gone bad.

How Long Do Blackberries Last in the Fridge?

Blackberries can last for about a week in the fridge if stored properly. Although after five days, you may start to see spoilage. 

How Long Will Blackberries Last on the Counter?

Ripe blackberries can begin to spoil even after one day on the counter.

Try to limit the time blackberries spend at room temperature on the counter. Don’t leave them overnight on the counter. Refrigerate or freeze them within two hours of purchasing. 

How Long Do Blackberries Last in the Freezer?

A frozen blackberry can be good for eight to twelve months, making it the ideal way to preserve them long-term. However, blackberries will lose their nutrients the longer it is frozen, so use them as quickly as possible. 

How Can You Tell if Blackberries Are Bad? 7 Signs

Expired and rotting blackberries have a few key signs that can let you know they’re no longer edible. 

• An odd smell
• Mold
• Slime
• Deflated and wilted berries

Blackberries should have a fresh and pleasant smell. If your blackberries give off an odd or unpleasant odor, throw them away, they are probably bad. Trust your nose!

• Another way to tell if your blackberries have turned is the appearance of mold growing on them or the container they were stored in. Get rid of any moldy berries immediately as these are not safe to consume. 
• Next, if the berries are beginning to ooze out liquid and get slimy, it is time to toss them. There may not be mold yet, but the fluid coming from the berries will encourage mold to grow. 
• Lastly, berries that have deflated are usually the result of bacteria or mold beginning to eat away at the berries. Good berries should be firm to the touch and plump.

Slight discoloration or bruising to this soft fruit after a couple of days doesn’t mean it’s bad. What remains should be suitable for eating, whether baked or made into jam. 

Should Blackberries Be Refrigerated?

Put blackberries or any berries in the fridge or freezer if you’re not eating them right away. 

Prompt refrigeration helps prevent mold growth as mold prefers warm and wet places to grow. A dry, clean container in the fridge is the ideal environment to slow that from happening.  

If you’re unsure how many you’ll be eating, divide them into servings. Remove some of the blackberries from the container they were purchased in and put them into a separate smaller dish for snacking. Refrigerate the remainder. 

More reading: How to Wash BlackBerries: 3 Best Ways

How Should Blackberries Be Stored?

When storing blackberries, keep in mind what you need them for and how long you wish to store them. 

Before handling the berries, begin by washing your hands with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds to prevent anything from transferring from your hands to the food. 

Go through each container and remove any berries that may already be moldy or damaged as mold and rot will quickly spread through the container turning any good berries inedible. Removing those already spoiled can give the rest of the berries a little more time. 

You can store them either in the fridge for short-term keeping or in the freezer for a longer time. 

Fridge 

Store the dry berries in a well-vented container lined with paper towels to help wick away any additional moisture. You can use the storage container if it’s covered, clean, and free of mold. 

Place the berries in the fridge on a high shelf or covered drawer away from any meat. 

Freezer Storage: 2 Steps

Here are two steps to freezing blackberries, that won’t become a huge frozen ball of berries.

1. Freeze Flat: Spread the dry berries in a single layer on a lined, flat surface like a baking sheet. Place the berries in the freezer until hard and frozen.
2. Package Frozen Berries. Then transfer the frozen berries to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Mark the bag with what it contains and the date you froze them. 

To thaw, take the desired amount of berries out of the freezer and put them in the fridge overnight or in lukewarm water.

Avoid thawing on the counter as it can promote the growth of bacteria and mold. 

Keep reading: Do Chia Seeds Go Bad?

Conclusion

By keeping blackberries dry and cold, you can have delicious berries for up to a week in the fridge and even longer in the freezer.