How to Store Grapes So They Stay Crisp, According to Test Kitchen Experts

Whether you’re harvesting grapes from your own yard or simply snagging a bag at the supermarket, if you’re like the average American, chances are high that you stock those gorgeous orbs fairly often. Grapes are the third most popular of all fruits, falling just behind bananas and apples, according to the latest data from the International Fresh Produce Association. But once you have them on-hand, do you know how to store grapes?

Poppable, portable, sweet, and versatile, we enjoy snacking and salad-ifying grapes almost as much as we enjoy slathering jelly or jam made with the fruit on a sandwich alongside nut butter. (By the way, if you, too, delight in this nostalgic pairing, don’t miss our 13 peanut butter and jelly recipes that go far beyond sandwiches.) But if you don’t know the best practices for how to store grapes, you might be cutting their lives short or sacrificing some of the fruit’s signature refreshingly-crisp qualities. Read on to study up on how to select grapes, how to store grapes, and how to extend the life of grapes if you have a bunch you don’t think you’ll get to in time. These tips from our Test Kitchen will help you store wisely, reduce food waste, save money, and snack deliciously all at once.

How to Choose Grapes

One bad grape truly can spoil the bunch (in other words, mold on one grape can spread to the rest), so be sure to shop or pick wisely to maximize the lifespan of your grapes. When selecting grapes, look for:

• Fruit that’s round, plump, firm, and mold-free. Discard any mushy or wrinkled grapes. While mold is a sign of a surefire compost ingredient, a thin white film on each grape is A-OK. Many grapes showcase something called “bloom” that’s a natural waxy coating that preserves them a bit longer than if they were film-free. This rinses off easily once you wash the grapes.
• A firmly-attached stem. Grapes connected to dry and brittle stems tend to fall off the bunch more easily, and may go bad at a more rapid clip. 
• The proper color. Avoid any brown grapes. Then don’t let the hue-based names confuse you. “Green grapes” should be slightly yellow, “red grapes” are best when purple-red (with no signs of green patches), and “black grapes” are ideal when deep purple.
• The absence of an aroma. As grapes begin to go bad, they often start to smell like vinegar or acid. Fresh grapes don’t generally emit a scent.

How to Store Grapes

Storing grapes on the counter is one of the quickest ways for them to spoil. Instead of displaying grapes at room temperature, the California Table Grape Commission advises that grapes should be refrigerated right away once you bring them inside from the grocery store or garden.

“Grapes need high humidity and good air circulation,” says Chris Meyer, Dotdash Meredith Test Kitchen administrative assistant.

This produce pick does best when stored between 30 to 32 degrees F and between about 90 to 95 percent relative humidity, adds the California Table Grape Commission.

Simply pop the grapes in the back of one of your refrigerator's crisper drawers in the same bag or box you purchased them in. Ditched the package or plucked them from a tree? Simply place the grapes inside the crisper drawer in a well-ventilated container or on top of a clean paper towel . The thin-skinned fruit can soak up odors from aromatic nearby fridge-mates, so try to keep them at a distance from ramps, onions, leeks, cut garlic, or strong-smelling leftovers.

While you could wash the grapes immediately, then pat dry and store them in the fridge, this can speed up spoilage since excess moisture will accelerate decay. We recommend rinsing the grapes with cool water right before you plan to eat, share, cook, or bake with them. (Don't miss our Roasted Berries and Grape Tart, Cucumber-Grape Smash, Honey Fruit Salad, and Grilled Pork with Apple and Grape Bowls.) If desired, transfer the grapes to a colander to corral them so you don't sacrifice any fruit unnecessarily down the drain during the cleaning process.

How Long Do Grapes Last? 

“Refrigerated grapes can last up to 3 weeks,” Meyer says. Need more time? “Frozen grapes can last up to 1 year.”

To freeze grapes, first remove the fruit from the stems, then rinse and dry the grapes. Spread the clean grapes on a freezer-safe baking pan or plate; be sure to allow for ample space between each grape so they don’t stick together. Place the grapes in the freezer for about 3 hours, or until frozen. Then transfer the frozen grapes in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container, and remove as much extra air as possible before sealing the vessel and storing for up to 12 months.

“If you have grapes in abundance, they’re a great addition to smoothies—especially once frozen,” suggests Lynn Blanchard, Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen director. 

Alternatively, you can use frozen grapes as dilution-free ice cubes in cocktails, white or rosé wine, or spirit-free mixed drinks. Or pop them as a snack on their own. After a taste test, members of Team BHG agree that frozen grapes are reminiscent of ice pops!