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How to Ripen Plantains Download ArticleExplore this Article methods 1 Ripening a Plantain Naturally 2 Ripening Plantains in a Paper Bag 3 Avoiding Common Mistakes Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs
Last Updated: March 31, 2025 Approved
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This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 286,061 times.
Plantains are a part of the banana family and look similar in appearance, but compared to bananas, plantains are far starchier and contain less sugar. Plantains can be included in many recipes or eaten raw. Plantains can take longer to ripen than other fruit and it is difficult to find ripe plantains in the supermarket. You can let plantains sit out to ripen or speed up the process by ripening them in a paper bag.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Ripening a Plantain Naturally
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1 Choose the right environment to ripen your plantain. You can ripen plantains in your own kitchen. However, make sure you choose the right place to ripen your fruit.
Plantains ripen best in a warm and well-ventilated place. If your kitchen is very cold or stuffy, try to find another room in your house to ripen them.
Plantains can ripen in cooler environments. It just may take longer.
2 Allow your plantains to sit undisturbed. Plantains will ripen fastest if they're not bothered. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. Do not handle your plantains while they're ripening. Plantains are usually not sold ripe in the stores and take awhile to ripen on their own. Your plantains will need to sit undisturbed for awhile to get them adequately ripe. Advertisement
3 Give it enough time. It should take 7 to 11 days for a plantain to ripen. In a warmer environment, you can expect plantains to ripen faster. A plantain is ripe when it's black and wrinkled in appearance and soft to the touch. A plantain should not need to be poked too hard to yield to the pressure of your finger when it is ripe.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Ripening Plantains in a Paper Bag
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1 Store plantains in a paper bag. If you need plantains to ripen quicker, you can store them in a paper bag. Place your plantains in a paper bag.[1]XResearch source You do not need to close the bag all the way. In fact, it is best to only close the bag loosely.
2 Set the plantains somewhere in your kitchen. Choose a spot where they can ripen undisturbed. Keep them out of reach of pets and children.[2]XResearch source
Remember, a warm and well ventilated environment is best for ripening plantains.
To speed up the ripening process, place a ripe tomato or avocado in the bag with the plantains. The gases released by the ripe fruit will also speed up the ripening process for the plantains.[3]X Expert Source Marrow Private ChefsPrivate ChefsExpert Interview
3 Check the plantains over the course of two weeks. Plantains generally take about two weeks to ripen. However, plantains may ripen quicker if they're in a paper bag. Check them frequently over the course of two weeks and remove them from the bag once they ripen.[4]XResearch source
Remember, ripe plantains are black and wrinkled in appearance and soft to the touch.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Avoiding Common Mistakes
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1 Recognize when your plantain is ripe. Many people assume a plantain ripens the same way as a banana. While the fruits look similar, plantains look much different than bananas when ripe. While you can fry or bake plantains before they're completely ripe, if you intend to eat them raw you need to wait until they're ripe.[5]XResearch source
Plantains are mostly black when ripe with a few yellow streaks.
Plantains that are completely black are still edible, but may be a little overripe.[6]XResearch source
2 Avoid refrigerating plantains. Plantains are best left unrefrigerated. This is especially true if they have not yet ripened. Refrain from refrigerating plantains until they're at your desired stage of ripeness.[7]XResearch source
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Question Can I pan fry these after they are oven ripened? Community Answer Yes, you may fry them. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 19
Question Why haven't they ripened after all these tips after a month? Community Answer In order to eat a plantain, you must place it in boiling water to soften. Plantains are not like bananas; they do not just ripen. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 156 Helpful 25
Question I'm confused about plantains because in Germany, the soft sweet ones are green with black spots, but I've heard ripe plantains should be yellow. Can you clarify? Harisharan Devgan Community Answer Plantain ripeness can vary by region and storage conditions. In colder climates like Germany, plantains may be green with black spots but still ripe if they are soft and sweet. Yellow plantains are usually firmer and slightly starchy, good for frying or boiling. Fully black plantains are the sweetest and softest, ideal for baking or desserts. Trust the feel and softness more than the color. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Tips
When shopping at a local market that offers discounted prices on overripe produce, look specifically for plantains in the discount bin. Some merchants are unfamiliar with the ripening process of plantains, and may sell under-ripe plantains for discounted prices, or confuse them with bananas. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you prefer the starchy taste of plantains, fry or boil plantains when they are under-ripe and green in color. Green plantains will maintain a heavily starchy taste similar to that of potatoes. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings
Do not stack your plantains. You should lay plantains side by side instead of stacking them. Stacking plantains may increase the accumulation of mildew. For best results when ripening plantains, avoid stacking them together. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 286,061 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 15Updated: March 31, 2025 Views: 286,061 Categories: Food Selection and StorageArticle SummaryX
To ripen a plantain naturally, place them in a warm, well-ventilated area. Make sure to keep them out of reach of children or pets that may move them, because they won’t ripen if they’re handled frequently. Wait 7-11 days after purchasing the plantains for them to ripen naturally. If they don’t ripen, try placing them in a paper bag and close the bag loosely. Check them often to see if the skin has become black and soft, which means they’re ripe. To learn more, such as what to avoid while storing your plantains, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Darla Rowls
Jul 19, 2016
"Having more than one way to ripen plantains was very useful. The first idea would take several days. The second way took an hour. I didn't have several days. Thanks!"..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts Co-authors: 15Updated: March 31, 2025 Views: 286,061100% of readers found this article helpful. 3 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Darla Rowls
Jul 19, 2016
"Having more than one way to ripen plantains was very useful. The first idea would take several days. The second way took an hour. I didn't have several days. Thanks!"..." more
Anonymous
Feb 6, 2020
"I was having some issues in the ripening process of plantains. Very good tips on how to do it correctly. I will try these tips on my next purchase. Thanks."..." more
Cynthia Powell
Oct 21, 2016
"Never had plantains before, actually bought thinking they were bananas. Your post was so easy to follow procedures. Thank you!"..." more
Sumeet Pandey
Mar 30, 2016
"Useful as we intend to do commercial ripening of plantain for bulk supplies to a restaurant in Nigeria."
Stephanie Mangione
Jan 15, 2017
"I learned how to store them and the amount of time it takes for them to ripen." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Ripening a Plantain Naturally 2 Ripening Plantains in a Paper Bag 3 Avoiding Common Mistakes Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs 
How toStore Bananas 
6 Simple Ways to Tell If Passion Fruit is Ripe 
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Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 286,061 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 15 Updated: March 31, 2025 Views: 286,061 Categories: Food Selection and Storage Article SummaryX
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1 Choose the right environment to ripen your plantain. You can ripen plantains in your own kitchen. However, make sure you choose the right place to ripen your fruit. 
2 Allow your plantains to sit undisturbed. Plantains will ripen fastest if they're not bothered. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. Do not handle your plantains while they're ripening. Plantains are usually not sold ripe in the stores and take awhile to ripen on their own. Your plantains will need to sit undisturbed for awhile to get them adequately ripe. Advertisement 
3 Give it enough time. It should take 7 to 11 days for a plantain to ripen. In a warmer environment, you can expect plantains to ripen faster. A plantain is ripe when it's black and wrinkled in appearance and soft to the touch. A plantain should not need to be poked too hard to yield to the pressure of your finger when it is ripe. Advertisement 
1 Store plantains in a paper bag. If you need plantains to ripen quicker, you can store them in a paper bag. Place your plantains in a paper bag.[1] You do not need to close the bag all the way. In fact, it is best to only close the bag loosely. 
2 Set the plantains somewhere in your kitchen. Choose a spot where they can ripen undisturbed. Keep them out of reach of pets and children.[2] 
3 Check the plantains over the course of two weeks. Plantains generally take about two weeks to ripen. However, plantains may ripen quicker if they're in a paper bag. Check them frequently over the course of two weeks and remove them from the bag once they ripen.[4] 
1 Recognize when your plantain is ripe. Many people assume a plantain ripens the same way as a banana. While the fruits look similar, plantains look much different than bananas when ripe. While you can fry or bake plantains before they're completely ripe, if you intend to eat them raw you need to wait until they're ripe.[5] 
2 Avoid refrigerating plantains. Plantains are best left unrefrigerated. This is especially true if they have not yet ripened. Refrain from refrigerating plantains until they're at your desired stage of ripeness.[7] Advertisement 
Community Answer Yes, you may fry them. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 19 
Community Answer In order to eat a plantain, you must place it in boiling water to soften. Plantains are not like bananas; they do not just ripen. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 156 Helpful 25 
Harisharan Devgan Community Answer Plantain ripeness can vary by region and storage conditions. In colder climates like Germany, plantains may be green with black spots but still ripe if they are soft and sweet. Yellow plantains are usually firmer and slightly starchy, good for frying or boiling. Fully black plantains are the sweetest and softest, ideal for baking or desserts. Trust the feel and softness more than the color. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0