23 Foods That Don’t Belong in the Refrigerator

In the summer, there’s nothing better than juicy, ripe tomatoes to add to a tomato and ricotta pizza. Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature, not in a refrigerator.

Potatoes must be stored in a paper bag at room temperature to preserve their texture, quality and taste. Keeping them in a cool fridge environment can make them gritty and the moisture can make them taste too sweet.

When refrigerated, onions may become mouldy rather quickly. Keep onions in a cool and dry place, and away from potatoes. This way, onions may have a better shot of maintaining their freshness and be ready to use for tasty recipes like this caramelized onion and goat cheese tart.

Besides their signature crunch, a great thing about pickles is their preservation. Store pickles in a pantry instead of wasting valuable fridge space. If you have store-bought pickles, check the package instructions to confirm if they need to be refrigerated.

To preserve cucumbers, never refrigerate them as they may develop pits and become watery. Rather, place them in an airtight container and keep them in your pantry or on the counter.

Bell peppers' crispness is part of their appeal. Store bell peppers at room temperature as keeping them cool in a fridge will soften their crunchy exterior.

Avocados are a must for many Mexican dishes but you need to get the timing right. Avocados can ripen faster when stored at room temperature rather than in the fridge. Store avocados on the countertop, so they're ready for when you have a craving for an avocado grilled cheese.

Store winter squashes, such as acorn squash, in a cool, dry place and not in a refrigerator.

If kept on a counter, apples can typically remain fresh and juicy for up to one week, maybe even two. After that time has passed, store them in the fridge to maintain their quality for longer.

A breakfast staple, bananas need to be stored appropriately to preserve their freshness and prevent premature browning. It’s recommended to store bananas on a countertop or banana hook or in a pantry.

To keep berries fresh for longer, store them at room temperature on a countertop. Berries can build up moisture, which would damage them. It’s best to not wash berries until you're ready to eat them. This will help keep their texture and flavour intact, and ensure you can enjoy them when they are at their ripest. Looking for a berry-forward recipe, try these no-bake lemon berry cheesecake bars with fresh berries. Your family will love them!

Store whole melons on a countertop until they're ripe. If you slice a melon into chunks or wedges, refrigerate the pieces to extend their freshness.

Most people want to keep bread fresh for as long as possible. To do so, keep fresh bread out of the refrigerator. It’s recommended to keep it uncovered at room temperature if you plan to finish it by the end of the day. If that’s not doable, store it in a bread box or a paper bag or even freeze it. When you want to eat it, thaw it by toasting it and you should find that it's still moist and full of flavour.

To enjoy a rich cup of coffee every morning, never refrigerate grounds or beans. You should store them at room temperature in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to preserve their aroma and flavour.

Don’t refrigerate chocolate as it can develop a grainy texture and suffer a reduction in flavour. Keep chocolate in a cool, dry place far from direct sunlight to preserve its taste.

Keeping honey in a fridge can harden it and make it lumpy. If you want your honey to be smooth and gooey (and why wouldn’t you?) store it in a pantry or on a countertop at room temperature.

Try to avoid refrigerating fresh garlic bulbs as this can negatively impact its texture. Keep fresh garlic in a pantry or cellar or somewhere dry and cool, and away from direct sunlight.

You want to store hot sauce in a way that will safeguard its intense heat and flavour. Place hot sauce in a pantry unless the package instructions state otherwise.

Maintain the robust flavour of nuts, like cashews, by keeping them in an airtight container at room temperature and never in the fridge.

Olive oil can solidify in a fridge, so it’s best to store it in your kitchen somewhere that’s cool and dark.

You want to ensure a peanut butter’s consistency is spreadable, so it needs to be kept at room temperature for three months. After this time, it should be refrigerated.

Vinegar contains a high acidity level and should be stored at room temperature.

Soy sauce is fermented and can be kept in a cabinet or pantry for up to a year. Follow the package instructions as every soy sauce brand and type is unique.