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Fruits & Vegetables Shelf Life Guide
Fresh produce, fruits, and vegetables — 63 products covered
Fresh produce has widely varying shelf lives depending on the type, ripeness at purchase, and storage method. Some fruits and vegetables last weeks in the refrigerator while others begin to deteriorate within days. Understanding which produce to refrigerate, which to keep at room temperature, and which to store separately can dramatically reduce food waste. This guide provides USDA-sourced shelf life data for over 60 fruits and vegetables.
Fruits & Vegetables Shelf Life at a Glance
| Product | Unopened | Opened | Refrigerated | Frozen | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apples | 1-2 weeks | — | 1-2 weeks | 8-12 months (sliced or prepared) | CAUTION |
| Artichokes | 1-2 days | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (blanched and frozen) | CAUTION |
| Asparagus | — | — | 3-4 days | 8-12 months (blanched) | CAUTION |
| Avocado | 3-7 days | — | 1-2 days | 4-6 months (mashed or sliced with lemon juice) | HIGH |
| Bananas | 2-7 days | — | 1-2 days (peeled or cut bananas) | 2-3 months (peeled and stored properly) | HIGH |
| Beets | 1-2 weeks | — | 1 week | 8-12 months (cooked or blanched) | CAUTION |
| Bell Peppers | 1-2 days | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (blanched and frozen) | CAUTION |
| Blueberries | 1-2 days | — | 3-7 days | 6-12 months | CAUTION |
| Broccoli | — | — | 1-2 days | 8-12 months | HIGH |
| Brussels Sprouts | 1-2 days | — | 3-5 days | 10-12 months | CAUTION |
| Cabbage | 1 week | — | 1-2 weeks | 8-12 months (blanched) | CAUTION |
| Cantaloupe | 2-3 days | — | 3-5 days | 10-12 months (cut pieces) | CAUTION |
| Carrots | 1 week | — | 1-2 weeks | 10-12 months | CAUTION |
| Cauliflower | — | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (blanched) | CAUTION |
| Celery | 1-2 days | — | 1 week | 10-12 months (blanched) | CAUTION |
| Cherries | 1-2 days | — | 3-7 days | 6-12 months | CAUTION |
| Corn | — | — | 3-5 days (fresh) | 6-12 months (blanched and frozen) | CAUTION |
| Cucumber | 1-2 days | — | 3-5 days | — | CAUTION |
| Dried Shiitake Mushrooms | 12-24 months | 6-12 months | — | 12 months | SAFE |
| Eggplant | 1-2 days | — | 3-4 days | 8-12 months (if blanched and frozen) | CAUTION |
| Fresh Herbs Basil | — | — | 1-2 days | 6-12 months (if properly stored) | HIGH |
| Fresh Herbs Cilantro | — | — | 3-5 days | 2-4 months | CAUTION |
| Fresh Herbs Parsley | — | — | 3-5 days | 3-4 months | CAUTION |
| Frozen Blueberries | 12 months | 6 to 8 months | — | 12 months | SAFE |
| Frozen Broccoli Florets | 12 months | 8 months | 2 days | 12 months | HIGH |
| Frozen Corn | 8-12 months | 6-8 months | — | 8-12 months | SAFE |
| Frozen Edamame | 12 months | 3 months | — | 12 months | SAFE |
| Frozen Mango Chunks | 12 months | 6 months | — | 12 months | SAFE |
| Frozen Peas | 8-12 months | 6-8 months | — | 8-12 months | SAFE |
| Frozen Spinach | 8-12 months | 8-12 months (if kept frozen) | 1-2 days (if thawed) | 8-12 months | HIGH |
| Frozen Strawberries | 8-12 months | 6-8 months | — | 8-12 months | SAFE |
| Garlic | 3-5 months | 7-10 days | 2-3 weeks (peeled cloves) | 6-12 months (chopped or whole cloves) | SAFE |
| Ginger Root | 1 week | — | 1-2 weeks | 6 months | CAUTION |
| Grapefruit | 1 week | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (juice or segments) | CAUTION |
| Grapes | 1-2 days | — | 3-7 days | 8-12 months | CAUTION |
| Green Beans | — | — | 3-5 days (fresh) | 10-12 months (blanched and frozen) | CAUTION |
| Honeydew Melon | 1-2 weeks | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (cut pieces, properly packaged) | CAUTION |
| Kale | — | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months | CAUTION |
| Kiwi | 3-5 days | — | 3-5 days | 10-12 months (peeled and sliced) | CAUTION |
| Leeks | 1-2 days | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (blanched) | CAUTION |
| Lemons | 1 week | — | 1-2 weeks | 3-4 months (zested or juiced) | CAUTION |
| Lettuce | — | — | 3-5 days | — | CAUTION |
| Limes | 1 week | — | 1 week | 3-4 months (juice or zest only) | CAUTION |
| Mango | 5-7 days | — | 3-5 days | 10-12 months (peeled and sliced) | CAUTION |
| Mushrooms | — | — | 3-7 days | 8-12 months | CAUTION |
| Onions | 1-2 months | — | 7-10 days | 6-8 months (chopped or sliced) | CAUTION |
| Oranges | 1-2 weeks | — | 3-4 days | 8-12 months (peeled or segments) | CAUTION |
| Peaches | 1-2 weeks (ripe) | — | 3-5 days | 6-12 months (sliced or pureed) | CAUTION |
| Pears | 3-5 days | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (if peeled, sliced, and properly packaged) | CAUTION |
| Peas | Up to 1 year (dried peas) | — | 3-5 days (fresh peas) | 8-12 months (frozen peas) | CAUTION |
| Pineapple | 1-2 days | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (cut pieces) | CAUTION |
| Plums | 3-5 days | — | 3-5 days | 10-12 months | CAUTION |
| Potatoes | 1-2 months | — | — | — | SAFE |
| Radishes | — | — | 1 week | — | CAUTION |
| Raspberries | — | — | 1-2 days | 8-12 months | HIGH |
| Shallots | 1-2 months | — | 1-2 weeks | 3-6 months | CAUTION |
| Spinach | — | — | 1-2 days | 8-12 months | HIGH |
| Strawberries | 1-2 days | — | 1-3 days | 8-12 months | HIGH |
| Sun-Dried Tomatoes | 12 months | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 6 months | SAFE |
| Sweet Potatoes | 1-2 weeks | — | 3-5 days (cooked or cut) | 10-12 months (cooked and properly stored) | CAUTION |
| Tomatoes | 1 week | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (if blanched and frozen) | CAUTION |
| Watermelon | 7-10 days | — | 3-5 days | 8-12 months (cut pieces, properly stored) | CAUTION |
| Zucchini | 2-3 days | — | 3-4 days | 8-12 months (blanched) | CAUTION |
How to Store Fruits & Vegetables Properly
- Store ethylene-producing fruits (apples, bananas, avocados) away from ethylene-sensitive vegetables (lettuce, broccoli, carrots).
- Keep potatoes, onions, and garlic in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area — not in the refrigerator.
- Wash produce only before eating, not before storing — excess moisture accelerates spoilage.
- Store leafy greens wrapped in a paper towel inside a container or bag to absorb excess moisture.
- Freeze overripe fruits for smoothies and baking — bananas, berries, and stone fruits freeze particularly well.
Signs of Spoilage in Fruits & Vegetables
Signs of produce spoilage include wilting, soft or mushy spots, mold growth, discoloration, and off odors. Slimy textures on leafy greens indicate bacterial growth. Cut fruits that have turned brown are oxidized but usually still safe — however, if they smell fermented or have mold, discard them.
All Fruits & Vegetables Products (63)
Apples
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 weeks
Refrigerated 1-2 weeks
View full safety guide
Artichokes
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Asparagus
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-4 days
View full safety guide
Avocado
HIGH Unopened 3-7 days
Refrigerated 1-2 days
View full safety guide
Bananas
HIGH Unopened 2-7 days
Refrigerated 1-2 days (peeled or cut bananas)
View full safety guide
Beets
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 weeks
Refrigerated 1 week
View full safety guide
Bell Peppers
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Blueberries
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-7 days
View full safety guide
Broccoli
HIGH Refrigerated 1-2 days
View full safety guide
Brussels Sprouts
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Cabbage
CAUTION Unopened 1 week
Refrigerated 1-2 weeks
View full safety guide
Cantaloupe
CAUTION Unopened 2-3 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Carrots
CAUTION Unopened 1 week
Refrigerated 1-2 weeks
View full safety guide
Cauliflower
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Celery
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 1 week
View full safety guide
Cherries
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-7 days
View full safety guide
Corn
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-5 days (fresh)
View full safety guide
Cucumber
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
SAFE Unopened 12-24 months
Opened 6-12 months
View full safety guide
Eggplant
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-4 days
View full safety guide
Fresh Herbs Basil
HIGH Refrigerated 1-2 days
View full safety guide
Fresh Herbs Cilantro
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Fresh Herbs Parsley
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Frozen Blueberries
SAFE Unopened 12 months
Opened 6 to 8 months
View full safety guide
Frozen Broccoli Florets
HIGH Unopened 12 months
Refrigerated 2 days
Opened 8 months
View full safety guide
Frozen Corn
SAFE Unopened 8-12 months
Opened 6-8 months
View full safety guide
Frozen Edamame
SAFE Unopened 12 months
Opened 3 months
View full safety guide
Frozen Mango Chunks
SAFE Unopened 12 months
Opened 6 months
View full safety guide
Frozen Peas
SAFE Unopened 8-12 months
Opened 6-8 months
View full safety guide
Frozen Spinach
HIGH Unopened 8-12 months
Refrigerated 1-2 days (if thawed)
Opened 8-12 months (if kept frozen)
View full safety guide
Frozen Strawberries
SAFE Unopened 8-12 months
Opened 6-8 months
View full safety guide
Garlic
SAFE Unopened 3-5 months
Refrigerated 2-3 weeks (peeled cloves)
Opened 7-10 days
View full safety guide
Ginger Root
CAUTION Unopened 1 week
Refrigerated 1-2 weeks
View full safety guide
Grapefruit
CAUTION Unopened 1 week
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Grapes
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-7 days
View full safety guide
Green Beans
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-5 days (fresh)
View full safety guide
Honeydew Melon
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 weeks
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Kale
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Kiwi
CAUTION Unopened 3-5 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Leeks
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Lemons
CAUTION Unopened 1 week
Refrigerated 1-2 weeks
View full safety guide
Lettuce
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Limes
CAUTION Unopened 1 week
Refrigerated 1 week
View full safety guide
Mango
CAUTION Unopened 5-7 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Mushrooms
CAUTION Refrigerated 3-7 days
View full safety guide
Onions
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 months
Refrigerated 7-10 days
View full safety guide
Oranges
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 weeks
Refrigerated 3-4 days
View full safety guide
Peaches
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 weeks (ripe)
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Pears
CAUTION Unopened 3-5 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Peas
CAUTION Unopened Up to 1 year (dried peas)
Refrigerated 3-5 days (fresh peas)
View full safety guide
Pineapple
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Plums
CAUTION Unopened 3-5 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Potatoes
SAFE Unopened 1-2 months
View full safety guide
Radishes
CAUTION Refrigerated 1 week
View full safety guide
Raspberries
HIGH Refrigerated 1-2 days
View full safety guide
Shallots
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 months
Refrigerated 1-2 weeks
View full safety guide
Spinach
HIGH Refrigerated 1-2 days
View full safety guide
Strawberries
HIGH Unopened 1-2 days
Refrigerated 1-3 days
View full safety guide
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
SAFE Unopened 12 months
Refrigerated 3 weeks
Opened 2 weeks
View full safety guide
Sweet Potatoes
CAUTION Unopened 1-2 weeks
Refrigerated 3-5 days (cooked or cut)
View full safety guide
Tomatoes
CAUTION Unopened 1 week
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Watermelon
CAUTION Unopened 7-10 days
Refrigerated 3-5 days
View full safety guide
Zucchini
CAUTION Unopened 2-3 days
Refrigerated 3-4 days
View full safety guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fruits and vegetables last?
It varies widely: berries last 3-7 days, apples last 4-8 weeks refrigerated, leafy greens last 3-7 days, and root vegetables like carrots last 3-4 weeks. Proper storage is the biggest factor in extending produce shelf life.
Should you refrigerate all fruits and vegetables?
No. Tomatoes, bananas, potatoes, onions, garlic, and avocados (until ripe) should be stored at room temperature. Most other produce benefits from refrigeration. Stone fruits and melons can be ripened on the counter then moved to the fridge.
Can you freeze fresh produce?
Most fruits freeze well for 8-12 months. Vegetables should be blanched before freezing to preserve color, texture, and nutrients. Watery vegetables like lettuce and cucumbers do not freeze well.