Many of their favorites are non-toxic, too.
One of the joys of spring’s arrival is the influx of fresh produce—juicy strawberries, crisp asparagus, fragrant herbs and more. Every year, I get a little too enthusiastic and overshop, leaving my kitchen looking like I raided the farmers market. Worse, it can be hard to eat up all of that produce before it goes bad. I have yet to learn my lesson, but this time I asked my dietitian friends—who are fellow produce lovers—how they prep and store their spring haul.
Here, they share the kitchen tools and gadgets they swear by to keep all those fruits and veggies fresh and manageable. From the cherry pitter that Lisa (who usually doesn’t buy single-use kitchen tools) and her sons love for batch-prepping cherries to the herb keeper that Rachael says extends the life of her herbs by as many as 10 days, I promise you’ll find a new kitchen tool that’ll motivate you and your family to eat more produce.
Must-Have Tools for Storing and Prepping Spring Produce
- For Easy Snacking: Ornafort Veggie Tray with Lid, 2-Pack$29
- $20 Off: Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1 Vegetable Chopper$30 (was $50)
- Great for Berries: OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper$26
- Editor Favorite: Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bags, 4-Pack$52 (was $58)
- Keep Leafy Greens Crisp for Longer: Earthwise Reusable Mesh Produce Bags, Set of 9$15
Ornafort Veggie Tray with Lid, 2-Pack
$29 at Amazon
“My kids eat fruits and veggies faster than I can prep them, but stocking the fruit and veggie drawer is a weekly rhythm that sets us up for success,” says Shannon Garcia, M.D.S, RD, LDmedia dietitian and safer living expert. “I have a dedicated pull-out drawer in our fridge that is just for prepped fruits and veggies, but if you don’t have a drawer you can spare, this veggie tray works great!” If you’re looking for a smaller container (and one that’s non-plastic), Garcia recommends these Lille Home Stainless Steel Containerswhich are 33% off right now.
OXO Good Grips Cherry Pitter
$18 at Amazon
“I try to avoid single-use kitchen tools, but when it’s cherry season, I use my OXO cherry pitter all the time. It’s perfect for pitting a bunch of cherries to add to yogurt, serve my kids or bake with,” says Lisa Valente, M.S., RD. “It’s so easy to use, and my kids love to help, too.”
Microplane Classic Zester Grater
$13 at Amazon
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCSauthor and performance nutritionist, confessed that she doesn’t own many kitchen tools beyond a good knife and a wooden cutting board because she genuinely enjoys chopping vegetables. “However, I do love my citrus press and microplane for zesting. They have removed all the barriers to adding citrus flavor to recipes.”
OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Produce Keeper
$26 at Amazon
A produce keeper bin like this one from OXO is a must-have for Rachael Ajmera, M.S., RD, founder of Nutrimental. “I use this for fruits like berries, which are a little delicate and need more structure. The bin collects moisture at the bottom and promotes airflow, which helps produce maintain its texture and last even longer in the fridge,” she said.
Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1 Vegetable Chopper
$50 $30 at Amazon
“A veggie chopper is one of the most economical and most-used kitchen tools in my kitchen because it can chop all of your veggies with ease and precision,” said Garcia. She uses it to chop all of her vegetables in advance when she’s making produce-heavy recipes—like sheet-pan dinners or soups—so that mealtime is smoother.
Souper Cubes Silicone Freezer Molds Set
$79 at Amazon
I love Souper Cubes freezer trays for storing produce and fully prepared dishes I want to save for later,” says Valente. “I will portion out and freeze meals like lasagna and enchiladas, and also whip up pesto or veggie-packed pasta sauce.” Souper Cubes’ freezer storage containers come in a variety of sizes, and this set, which has 2-cup, 1-cup, 1/2-cup and 2-tablespoon-sized trays, makes a great starter set.
OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner
$33 at Amazon
“Spring salads are all the rage, but no one wants a soggy salad,” says Lisa Andrews, M.Ed., RD, LDfounder of Sound Bites Nutrition. That’s why she’s always using her salad spinner—it keeps her spring greens clean and crisp.
Cole & Mason Fresh Herb Keeper
$25 at Amazon
Ajmera uses this herb keeper to store herbs like cilantro and parsley. “It’s helped extend their shelf-life by around two weeks, and it easily fits in my fridge and doesn’t take up much space,” she said.
Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bags, 4-Pack
$58 $52 at Amazon
As a safer living expert, Garcia tries to minimize plastic storage containers as much as possible. “Stasher bags are durable, non-toxic and will last the test of time,” she explains. “Plus, you can see through the top, and when food is visible, we’re much more likely to actually eat it.” This set of four different sizes is a great starter set, or a versatile addition to a collection you already have.
Earthwise Reusable Mesh Produce Bags, Set of 9
$15 at Amazon
Breathable mesh bags are Ajmera’s go-to for tender or high-moisture veggies like leafy greens. “They allow airflow so nothing gets soggy and helps them stay crisp longer,” she said. “They’re also eco-friendly, durable and easy to keep clean—just toss them in the washer!”
Zulay Kitchen Metal 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer
$20 $15 at Amazon
A citrus squeezer is another must-have for Andrews. “These are great for making marinades and salad dressings with lemons, limes, or Clementines,” she said. You can also use it to infuse some freshness into your water. This hand-held citrus juicer comes with an insert for smaller fruits, and it has a lifetime warranty and more than 39,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.
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