11 Easy Ways to Keep Bananas Fresh & Prevent Browning

Follow these storage tips to enjoy fresh bananas even longer

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: September 30, 2025 Fact Checked

Did you just buy a bunch of ripe bananas that are already starting to turn brown? Bananas continue to ripen even after they’re harvested, but there are so many hacks to keep them fresh until you’re ready to eat them. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through the most effective tips and tricks for storing your bananas properly so they have the longest shelf life!

Best Ways to Keep Bananas Fresh

Wrap aluminum foil or plastic wrap around the banana stems.
Separate the bananas from the bunch.
Keep bananas at 54 °F (12 °C) out of direct sunlight.
Seal bananas in an airtight container.
Store ripe bananas in your fridge.
Coat peeled bananas in lemon juice before refrigerating them.

1

Wrap the stems in foil or plastic wrap.

Foil and plastic wrap trap gases that ripen bananas. Bananas continue to ripen and produce ethylene gas from their stems after you buy them. Once you get home, secure a large piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap around the tops of the stems. The gases release more slowly through the wrap, so your bananas stay fresh for a longer time than usual.^{[1]
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- You can either wrap the stems of the entire bunch, or separate the bananas to wrap them individually.
- If your bananas already came with plastic wrap around the stems, leave it on until you’re ready to eat them.

2

Separate the bananas from the bunch.

The ethylene gas released by bananas can cause others in the bunch to turn brown and go bad more quickly. As soon as you bring a bunch of bananas home, break them off of the stem and keep them away from each other when you’re storing them.^{[2]
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3

Store bananas in a cool spot away from sunlight.

Bananas turn brown faster in warm, sunny spots. Store your bananas in a cool, dry area that stays around 54 °F (12 °C). Make sure the spot doesn’t get any direct sunlight during the day because the sun could cause them to ripen faster before you have a chance to eat them.^{[3]
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- Rather than keeping bananas in your kitchen, you may have more luck storing them in a pantry closet or your basement.

4

Leave bananas in an airtight container.

A plastic bag or resealable container can trap in freshness. Separate the bananas from the bunch, and keep each one in a small resealable bag or plastic container. Seal the container tightly and leave it out at room temperature until you’re ready to eat the banana. Because the bananas aren’t exposed to fresh air, the fruit releases ethylene gas more slowly.^{[4]
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- Bananas stored in an airtight container usually last for around 6-7 days before they start going bad.
- There’s some debate on whether storing bananas in a bag or container actually keeps them fresh. Some sources say that the trapped gases can make bananas ripen faster, so it’s better to leave them out.

5

Try hanging bananas on a hook.

Hanging bananas imitates how they grow in nature. If you opt to keep your bananas together in a bunch, hang the stems from a banana hook. When you hang bananas, they’re less likely to press against each other and turn brown so you’re able to enjoy them for a few days longer.^{[5]
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- Try hanging your bananas after wrapping the stems in plastic wrap or foil to keep them fresh for even longer at home.

6

Keep bananas away from other fruit.

Other ripening fruits release gases that turn bananas brown. Other fruits, such as apples, avocados, and peaches, also produce ethylene gas when they’re ripe. Try to position your bananas a few feet away from other fruit bowls you have out so your bananas stay fresh.^{[6]
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- Other fruits to avoid storing bananas with include cantaloupe, kiwi, pears, peppers, and tomatoes.

7

Handle the bananas gently.

When bananas are bruised or brown, they release more ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening. Avoid jostling the bananas around too much after you buy them so the peels stay yellow and undamaged.^{[7]
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8

Put ripe bananas in the fridge.

Bananas stop ripening once they’re refrigerated. If your bananas are already yellow and you don’t want them softening, stick them in your fridge. The cool temperatures stop the fruit from producing ethylene gas, so even though the peel may continue to darken, your bananas will stay ripe and firm.^{[8]
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- Refrigerating bananas helps keep them fresh for an extra 1-2 weeks.

9

Freeze bananas to use in recipes later.

Frozen bananas stay ripe, but have a different texture. When your bananas are already ripe and about to turn brown, peel them and slice them into smaller pieces. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for a few hours. Then, transfer the frozen pieces into an airtight container and place it back in your freezer.^{[9]
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- Frozen bananas are usually best if you use them within 3 months.
- Use frozen bananas to make a smoothie with other fruit pieces, like blueberries or strawberries.
- Defrost the bananas in your fridge so they’re completely thawed before using them to make banana bread or other baked goods.

10

Sprinkle peeled banana pieces with lemon juice.

Acidic lemon juice prevents bananas from breaking down. The acid in lemon juice kills the enzymes that ripen bananas, and it prevents the pieces from browning. Simply sprinkle or toss the peeled banana pieces in the liquid and place them in an airtight container in your fridge.^{[10]
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- Bananas coated in lemon juice will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
- Alternatively, you can also use lime juice, pineapple juice, or vinegar instead of lemon juice.
- If you don’t like the added citrus or vinegar flavor, rinse the banana pieces with fresh water before serving them again.

11

Buy bananas while they’re slightly green.

Green bananas take longer to ripen and go bad. It may be tempting to get a bunch of ripe yellow bananas when you’re grocery shopping, but they’ll start to brown pretty quickly when you get home. Instead, choose bananas that still have a little green on their peel. They’ll continue to ripen over the next few days, so you’ll have more time to enjoy them!
- Don’t forget that you can buy bananas from separate bunches. Try buying 2 yellow bananas to eat right away, 2-3 yellow-green bananas, and 2-3 that are completely green. That way, you have a perfectly ripe banana every day.

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Bananas are a common source of fruit flies. When you get bananas, rinse them under water to wash away eggs. If your bananas start to go bad, toss them out so you don’t have to deal with a fruit fly infestation.^{[11]
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Only buy as many bananas as you’re going to eat in the next few days so you don’t let any go to waste.

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