Fresh produce can be tricky to make last, especially if it wilts, goes limp, turns brown, or becomes squishy. Carrots are no exception, especially if they’re not stored in the correct way.

If carrots are stored in the wrong location in the fridge, they can risk losing its texture and flavour, and even spoiling. Kelly, who goes by Plant Based Baby on TikTok, shared her ingenious way for reviving carrots which have ‘expired’. Root vegetables like carrots are highly sensitive to humidity changes.

This means that the vegetables are more likely to spoil from opening and closing the fridge door. A high humidity is more likely to make carrots mouldy while a low humidity will cause them to dehydrate and wilt.

How to store carrots correctly

If your carrots have dried out, particularly if they’ve been peeled, Kelly shared a quick process to breathe new life into the vegetable. Place the carrots into a sealable container, before covering with cold water.

Seal the container shut firmly. Place the container on the bottom level of the fridge, but not in the drawers, overnight.

The water will rehydrate the carrots, bringing them back to their former glory. Kelly captioned her video: “Improper storage may cause veggies to go limp but all they need is a little hydration, after an overnight fridge bath my carrots were good as new.”

One person replied: “This works amazing with lettuce as well!”

Another said: “Best way to do it, If somethings wiggly it needs water. ice waters the fastest way to get most veggies back to normal crunch.”

Real Simple explained that when carrots are stored properly, they can usually last for around three to four weeks in the fridge. It recommended wrapping the unpeeled and unwashed carrots in a dry kitchen towel, before placing them into an airtight container.

The container should then be placed in the coolest part of the fridge. Real Simple also shared that when storing carrots, they should always be kept away from ethylene-producing foods in your fridge, such as avocados, apples, and tomatoes.

Fresh produce that generates this gas can cause your carrots to decay prematurely and taste bitter. When storing peeled carrots, you need to be aware that they have the propensity to dry out easier than those which are unpeeled.

However, you can make peeled carrots last up to a month if they’re stored properly. It’s recommended to change the water every few days to avoid bacteria forming.