How to Store Pineapple So It Stays Fresh and Sweet

Key Takeaways

• Keep unripe pineapples on the counter, and let ethylene gas work its ripening magic or speed it up with a brown bag.

• Store cut pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week to maintain sweetness.

• Freeze pineapple chunks on a baking sheet before storing them in a freezer-safe bag for a long-lasting tropical treat.

  Apples and bananas may be the most popular fruits in America, but pineapple isn’t far behind. Nearly half of U.S. households purchase pineapple each year, and all it takes is one taste to understand why. It’s a vibrant, tropical fruit that makes for a stunning centerpiece, but it’s also tasty and good for you. Pineapple is a refreshing source of fiber and antioxidants, and it offers the perfect balance between sweet and tart.
  
  Before you can get to the mouthwatering pineapple flesh, there are a few hoops you have to jump through. First, you have to pick a ripe pineapple. Look for a pineapple that’s mostly yellow with a smooth surface. When the exterior is firm but has a little give, it’s on its way to ripeness. A ripe pineapple will also feel heavy, and have a noticeably sweet scent. If you want one that’s not fully ripe yet, choose one that’s mostly green and lacks aroma.
  
  Once you’ve selected a solid pineapple, you have to store it so it stays fresh. When the timing is right, you’ll have to cut through the thick rind and remove the rigid core. It’s a labor of love and so worth it. Here’s how to store pineapple.  

  How to Store a Whole Pineapple

  Storing a whole pineapple is easy—if it’s not fully ripe, simply place it on your counter. An unripe pineapple will continue to ripen on your counter, though you can speed up this process by placing it in a brown paper bag. Pineapple, among many other fruits and vegetables, releases ethylene gas. Trapping it allows the fruit to ripen faster. It usually only takes a couple of days to ripen. Some wisdom suggests you can also ripen a pineapple by turning it upside down, which causes the sugar to flow from the base to the top, though this hack isn’t widely supported. 
  
  Once your pineapple is ripe—whether you picked it that way or let it ripen in your kitchen—it’s time to cut into it. If you’re not ready to use it just yet but it’s reached peak ripeness, you can keep it on your counter for a day or two, but you run the risk of it over-ripening. Once a pineapple becomes very dark yellow or orange in color, and mushy in texture, it’s overripe and on its way to spoiling, and becoming unpleasantly sour.

  To delay this, you can place the entire pineapple in the refrigerator—uncovered and in the crisper drawer, preferably. Plan to cut into it within a few days for the best taste and texture.

  How to Store Cut Pineapple

  If you cut your pineapple into chunks, you’ll have a sweet snack to munch on throughout the week. Or, you can add the pieces to smoothies, juices, and fruit salads.
  
  First, you’ll have to peel and cut the pineapple. It sounds intimidating, but you get the hang of it quickly. You can cut your pineapple into chunks or rings—the shape doesn’t affect how it’s stored. 
  

  Unlike whole pineapple, cut pineapple needs to be refrigerated immediately. Once you’ve cut your pineapple into the desired shape, place the cut pieces into a plastic bag or airtight food storage container. The pineapple pieces will be best if eaten within four days, but can last for up to a week. Once the pieces start to turn brown, that’s a sign they’re going bad and will probably taste sour.

  Can You Freeze Pineapple? 

  Freezing pineapple is a great way to preserve it if you’re not ready to enjoy it just yet. Frozen pineapple will stay fresh in the freezer for many months, though it will be best if eaten sooner rather than later.
  
  To freeze pineapple, peel and chop a ripe pineapple into chunks or cubes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the chopped pineapple pieces onto it. Place the entire tray into the freezer for a couple of hours, or until the pieces are frozen. Then, transfer the frozen pineapple pieces into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Put the bag back into the freezer, where the fruit will remain good to eat until thawed, or used in smoothies, sorbets, or frozen margaritas.
  
  To thaw frozen pineapple, transfer the bag or container to the refrigerator and let it defrost overnight. For something a little quicker, submerge a bag of frozen pineapple into cold water.

  
  

  Once thawed, you can use the pineapple like you would if it were freshly diced—in smoothies, salads, juices, and even pizza, if you’re a pineapple on pizza stan. You could also incorporate pineapple into Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans, Cauliflower Tacos al Pastor. For a smoky twist on this sweet fruit, throw some pineapple rings on the grill.

   

   

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