When are peppers and onions no good?

Lizzypb88
Lizzypb88 Posts: 367 Member
edited November 17 in Health and Weight Loss
I had bought some fresh pre sliced peppers and onions at our (awesome!) grocery store, and doing a small meal prep, I realized it says- use by today's date... I cooked them on a pan with olive oil, this may be a really stupid question, but now that they've been cooked, can I expect them to be good a few days past the date? Still new to this whole cooking thing lol

Replies

  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
    I'd say those peppers are good until they don't pass the smell test once cooked. It's really just a suggestion. If is smells good, it probably is.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    What kind of shape were the peppers in before you used them? If the edges were nice and crisp and the skin not majorly wrinkly they will definitely be fine for a few more days anyway.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    peppers will get soft and slimy when they go bad, or turn black/brown. Otherwise if they are still crisp they are fine. Even if they are a little limp they are fine, but the flavor will be less. When they get soft or slimy I throw them out. Something that helps though, if you keep them in the fridge sliced, store them with a paper towel in the container, it'll keep the moisture down and keep them from going bad so quickly. Helps if you toss a paper towel inside a bag of pre-cut lettuce as well. You'll notice the paper towel will get wet over time, change it out and it'll help keep it fresh.
  • thewindandthework
    thewindandthework Posts: 531 Member
    With produce, you'll pretty much know if they're bad.

    If the peppers are snappy and colorful, all is well. If they're soft or not bright in color, they've seen better days.
  • Unknown
    edited April 2017
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  • IrisFlute
    IrisFlute Posts: 88 Member
    Fresh vegetables and fruit gradually lose nutrients starting from the moment of harvesting. Some nutrients diminish faster than others. You can eat any produce that still looks pleasant -- when fruits and vegetables spoil, they grow mold or get slimy with a bad smell.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    With produce, you'll pretty much know if they're bad.

    If the peppers are snappy and colorful, all is well. If they're soft or not bright in color, they've seen better days.

    This^

    The skin on older peppers is not so firm. Even if you see a few wrinkly spots they are okay to use, but not at their peak.

    Onions can be stored a long time. You will know when those are bad (ugh!). Even if the outside is starting to dry up, peel the outer layers off. The onion is still good.
  • Duchy82
    Duchy82 Posts: 560 Member
    I don't take any notice of use by dates on fruit and veg. I go with the does it still look/smell as it should and is it mould free. Yes to both? I'll eat it.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Now that your peppers and onions are cooked they will be fine stored in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container or bag.

    Cheers, h.
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  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    "Use by" dates are really suggestions. The seller thinks that the food is freshest before that date. However, most produce is safe to eat past that date if it doesn't smell funky or look slimy/rotten/etc. If your pre-sliced produce is a little limp or dry-looking, it's fine to eat, but it may not taste as good as it would have when it was fresh.
  • markrgeary1
    markrgeary1 Posts: 853 Member
    apullum wrote: »
    "Use by" dates are really suggestions. The seller thinks that the food is freshest before that date. However, most produce is safe to eat past that date if it doesn't smell funky or look slimy/rotten/etc. If your pre-sliced produce is a little limp or dry-looking, it's fine to eat, but it may not taste as good as it would have when it was fresh.

    Yes.
    Most vegetables won't kill you even if they are past their prime.

    Eggs, meats, mayo etc. will kill you(or make you wish you were dead). These you need to avoid.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,224 Member
    edited April 2017
    Unlike meats etc, produce is only really bad when it is actually bad - slimy, discoloured or otherwise "off". If you don't look at it and say "ew", it's generally find to use.
  • Lizzypb88
    Lizzypb88 Posts: 367 Member
    Thank you everyone!!
This discussion has been closed.