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This Easy Hack Will Keep Your Apple Slices From Turning Brown

Close up of a sliced red apple on a wooden table.
Triple_D Studio/Shutterstock.com

Apples are a quick and easy way to add some fruit to your or your kiddo’s lunchbox, especially during back-to-school season when they’re at their peak. Some kids love apple slices in particular, either with their lunch or as a snack.

You may have noticed, however, that apple slices turn brown pretty quickly once the apple has been cut, especially if you make your child’s lunch the night before. Browned apple slices aren’t inedible but they look pretty unappetizing and mushy.

Luckily there’s a quick and easy hack that will keep cut or sliced apples from turning brown for almost a week. All you need is water, salt, and an airtight food storage container.

FIT Bento Box Lunch Containers

A set of airtight bento boxes you can use to store your soaked apple slices and then stick directly into your kiddo's lunchbox the next morning.

To keep your apple slices looking fresh after being cut, follow these 6 easy steps:

  • Cut and core your apple.
  • Measure out 2 cups of cold water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Any type of salt will work– table salt, kosher salt, sea salt, etc.
  • Dissolve the salt into the water and stir well.
  • Once the salt is dissolved and mixed in, stick the apple slices in the water and let them soak for 5 minutes.
  • Drain the water. (Do not rinse the apple slices.)
  • Store the sliced and soaked apple in an airtight food storage container and stick it in the fridge.

Easy, right? And no, your apple slices won’t taste like salt after soaking. Promise.

If you want to prep a larger quantity of sliced apples for the whole school or work week, just up the amount of water and salt. Use 4 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt for 4 or 5 sliced apples, or 8 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt for 8-10 apples.

Meghan Herlihy Meghan Herlihy
Meghan Herlihy is a full-time writer for LifeSavvy and How-To Geek and has written across a wide variety of topics, genres, and formats, including radio talk shows, local sports journalism, and creative original fiction. She received her bachelor's degree in communications from Ithaca College and a master's in writing from Johns Hopkins University. When she's not writing, you're most likely to find her reading a book, petting every dog within eyesight, and indulging in her love of travel. Read Full Bio »
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