How to Store Potatoes, Onions, Garlic and More

Right now, grocery shopping is a bit tumultuous. It seems that now, more than ever, we’re being thrifty and mindful of what we’re buying. While yes, having a plan for buying your groceries is important, you should equally prioritize how you store them. 

Improper storage hurts your wallet. Plus, no one feels good throwing away an ingredient that went bad. Many of us turn to the refrigerator, thinking it’s a cure-all for keeping foods fresher longer, but it’s not. Some ingredients last longer at room temperature. See the list below and learn the best ways to store them. 

Best Overall Food Storage Options on Amazon

Basil, onions, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, coffee, bread and wine all thrive outside your refrigerator. With a little extra care, you can help them stay fresher longer. Shop functional pieces like mason jars, wire baskets, bread boxes, coffee canisters and more, from $12. 

Basil 

Basil prefers a sunny, humid climate—a rarity when storing produce. Because of that, it’s best to trim each stem, pop them into a glass jar like a flower bouquet and leave them out on your countertop. You can get creative with storage, whether you opt for a glass vase or a mason jar. 

Ball Mason Wide Mouth Jars with Lids and Bands, 4-Pack

This mason jar set has a mix of small and large jars. You get two 16-ounce wide-mouth jars and two 34-ounce wide-mouth mason jars. These are great to have on hand because you can use them for many things, whether canning or storing homemade dressing for the week. The two sizes ensure you have one on hand for small or large bouquets of basil. 

Netany 16-Ounce Overnight Oats Containers, 6-Pack

Another multi-purpose option to try is this set of overnight oat jars. They’re petite at 16 ounces and come with twist-on lids for an airtight design. They work well for oats, of course, but they also make for an excellent pick to reach for when you buy basil at the store. You get six in the set, so you can set one aside for all your basil storage needs. 

Garlic, Onions and Potatoes 

You’ll want to stop storing garlic, onions, shallots and potatoes in the refrigerator. The cold, damp environment causes speedy spoiling on alliums and spuds alike. Instead, opt for storage vessels that have proper air circulation, like baskets, and keep these ingredients in a dark place in your kitchen, like the pantry. There are even specialty storage solutions, like this terracotta garlic keeper. Whatever you choose, always store alliums in a dedicated basket, because they leech gases that could cause potatoes, apples, bananas and other produce to spoil faster. 

Caxxa Countertop Fruit Bowl

You can’t go wrong with a classic round, wire fruit bowl. The circular shape of this particular bowl lends itself well to onions, garlic and potatoes. Since the entire basket has an open wire design, your ingredients have plenty of room to breathe. Place it in a dark spot in your kitchen—we prefer a kitchen cabinet. 

Aotzita Stackable Wire Baskets with Bamboo Tops Bin, 2-Pack

If you buy ingredients in bulk, consider a storage solution like these Aotzita baskets. They’re ideal for pantry or cellar shelves—the wooden top makes them stackable. Plus, each basket comes with a labeling option for easy organization. 

Tomatoes 

When it comes to storing tomatoes, they’re a finicky fruit. You might be tempted to place them in the refrigerator. It can not only cause faster degradation, but it can also change the texture and flavor of your tomato. Instead, leave them stem-side down, at room temperature and shield them from sunlight in a shallow basket or lay them stem-side down on some cotton towels. 

Antopy 2-Tier Fruit Basket with Mesh Basket Top

This nifty basket set has two detachable storage options. The top one is perfect for tomatoes, thanks to its finer mesh wire base that helps prevent bruising. Its wider size gives tomatoes plenty of breathing room. The rectangular shape fits neatly in a pantry or kitchen cabinet, keeping your tomatoes out of direct sunlight. 

Zeppoli Classic Cotton Dish Towels, 15-Pack

Cotton towels as a storage solution? Never say never. They’re a great way to keep tomatoes at their best. The cotton provides a soft, breathable surface for the tomatoes to rest on and protects your countertop from rogue juices. This set includes 15 towels, so there’s always enough on hand. You can also use these towels to line baskets for storing tomatoes, especially if the baskets are hard wire.. 

Bread 

As it turns out, those bread boxes of the past did serve a function. They keep various types of bread in the ideal environment—dark and moist enough to prevent loaves from drying out or getting moldy. Reusable beeswax wrap has proven to be a helpful solution for storing smaller odds and ends. If you’re storing artisan bread, freezing it in slices is a fantastic choice to keep it fresh. The moral of the story? Just don’t put bread in the refrigerator! 

Oggi Stainless Steel Roll Top Bread Box

This smart bread box has a roll-top lid that makes it easy to grab what you need. It creates the ideal seal for the best environment to keep your bread fresh when it closes. The bread box is also nice and tall, allowing for a range of loaves from oblong bakery sourdough to tall and fluffy brioche. 

(Re) zip Gallon Reusable Storage Bags, 4-Pack

When you store your pre-sliced bread in the freezer, all you have to do is grab a slice, defrost it in your toaster or toaster oven and have a fresh-from-the-bakery slice waiting to be devoured—much better than a stale, moldy slice from the refrigerator. We love these reusable gallon zip bags because they’re roomy (perfect for bulky bread slices) and have a tight seal. 

Coffee 

Don’t spend heaps of money on your coffee just to put it in the refrigerator—it changes the beans in so many ways. Instead, keep coffee fresh using a dedicated canister. These nifty containers were designed to ensure the beans maintain an optimal flavor for each cup for a satisfying morning routine. 

Planetary Design 16-Ounce Airscape Stainless Steel Coffee Canister

This sleek canister has a double-lid system to ensure the beans are stored airtight. The design ensures excess oxygen is removed so your coffee stays fresh. It holds 16 ounces (1 pound) of beans to hold most standard-sized bags. 

Veken 22-Ounce Stainless Steel Coffee Canister with Window

This version of an airtight stainless steel canister has 22 ounces of room. The latching lid keeps the coffee protected from air and light. There’s a small viewing window on the side to easily track when you need to refill it. It even comes with a built-in scoop for measuring each morning. 

Wine 

Wine is another drink we invest in, so why not help it stay at its best until you’re ready to drink it? Most wines are best stored at temperatures between 45°F and 65°F, away from sunlight and with minimal moisture. Aside from temperature, orientation is vital—keep your bottles horizontal so the cork stays moist to prevent oxidation.  

J.K. Adams 12-Bottle Wood Stackable Wine Rack

This simple wooden rack has just enough room to keep a nice collection of wine on hand without taking up tons of space. Nearly square in shape, it measures 12 x 14 x 3 inches and holds up to 12 bottles. You can split each row evenly for reds, whites and sparkling—or switch it up and store an even wider variety. 

Bluewest 8-Bottle Acacia Wine Holder

For a more compact style, check out this acacia wood pick. It has rounded edges with a two-tier design. The top stores four bottles while the interior portion stores four more. Each bottle fits in a shallow divit for a streamlined design. While it’s so chic you may want to display it, remember to keep wine in a dark, cool space.