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Storage Life Chart: How Long Will Fruits and Vegetables Keep, fresh, frozen or canned

How Long Will Fruits and Vegetables Keep:
On the shelf, in the fridge, canned or frozen?

Click here for a PDF print version

With the cost of food as high as it is, and to preserve the taste and nutritional benefit of vegetables and fruits, it is important to know how long food will keep its taste, texture and nutritional value using the available storage methods at home: the refrigerator, freezer, on the counter or canned. The table below lists the estimated storage life, for best quality, for various fruits, vegetables and products from these for each of the home storage methods. Canned and frozen fruit, vegetables and products may be safe beyond these dates if their packaging is intact and the temperatures were maintained; but they are likely to show degradation in text, appearance and texture.

This chart assumes that you started with ripe, but not over fruit fruit and vegetables that were not bruised, moldy, cut open or otherwise damaged. See the explanation at the bottom of the page, following the chart for more details of assumed storage conditions.

 

Finally, this chart is a work in progress; it's going to take a month or two for me to complete it as it is a combination of research and my own 40 years of experience with home preserving... and there are a LOT of fruits, vegetables and forms of storage here!.

Fruit or vegetable Form Optimal storage temperature (and other conditions, if applicable Optimal humidity Best case, at optimal storage temperature and humidity Typical Useful Storage Life Comments

F

C At room temperature on the counter Basement,  or other cool, dark storage area
(40 - 65 F)
Refrigerated
(35 - 40 F)
Frozen
(0 F)
Canned
(commercial or properly home canned)
Apples fresh 30-40 -1-4 90-95 1-12 months 1 week   3 weeks 1 year 1 year Chill sensitive stored at 35-40 F (2-4 C)
applesauce canned 40 - 60   not applicable

 

    2 weeks 18 months 2 years  
apple butter canned     not applicable       6 weeks 2 years 5 years  
apple jelly canned     not applicable       6 weeks not suitable 1 year  
Apricots fresh 31-32 -1-0 90-95 1-3 weeks            
Apricot jam                      
Apricots fresh 31-32 -1-0 90-95 1-3 weeks          
 
Artichokes fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95 2-5 months
 
    2-5 months    
 
Artichokes, Jerusalem fresh 31-32 0-2 90-95 4-5 months     2-3 weeks    
 
Asparagus fresh 32-35
 
95-100 2-3 weeks          
 
Avocados, ripe fresh 38-45 3-7 85-95
 
         
 
Avocados, unripe fresh 45-50 7-10 85-95
 
          Keep away from ethylene producing fruits
Bananas, green fresh 62-70 17-21 85-95
 
         
 
Bananas, ripe fresh 56-60 13-16 85-95
 
         
 
Basil fresh 52-59 11-15 90-95
 
         
 
Beans, dry fresh 40-50
 
40-50 6-10 months          
 
Beans, green or snap fresh 40-45
 
95 7-10 days          
 
Beans, sprouts fresh 32 0 95-100 7-9 days          
 
Beans. Lima fresh 37-41 0 95 5-7 days          
 
Beets fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Beets, bunched fresh 32 0 98-100 10-14 days          
 
Beets, topped fresh 32 0 98-100 4-6 months          
 
Blackberries fresh 32-33 0-1 90-95 2-3 days          
 
Blueberries fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Bok Choy fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Broccoli fresh 32 0 95-100 10-14 days          
 
Brussels Sprouts fresh 32 0 90-95 3-5 weeks          
 
Bunched Greens fresh 32 0 90-95
 
          Beets, Chard, Green Onions, Mustard, Parsley, Radish, Spinach, Turnip
Cabbage, Chinese fresh 32 0 95-100 2-3 months          
 
Cabbage, early fresh 32 0 98-100 3-6 weeks          
 
Cabbage, late fresh 32 0 98-100 5-6 months          
 
Cantaloupe fresh 36-38 2-3 90-95
 
         
 
Carrots, bunched fresh 32 0 95-100 2 weeks           Ethylene may cause a bitter flavor
Carrots, immature fresh 32 0 98-100 4-6 weeks          
 
Carrots, mature fresh 32 0 98-100 7-9 months          
 
Cauliflower fresh 32 0 95-98 3-4 weeks          
 
Cauliflower fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Celery fresh 32 0 98-100 2-3 months          
 
Celeriac fresh 32 0 97-99 6-8 months          
 
Chard fresh 32 0 95-100 10-14 days          
 
Cherries fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Cherries, sour fresh 32 0 90-95 3-7 days          
 
Cherries, sweet fresh 30-31
 
90-95 2-3 weeks          
 
Chicory fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Chicory, witloof fresh 32 0 95-100 2-4 weeks          
 
Chinese Pea Pods fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Coconuts fresh 55-60 13-16 80-85
 
          Extended storage 32-35 F (0-2 C)
Collards fresh 32 0 95-100 10-14 days          
 
Corn, sweet fresh 32 0 95-98 5-8 days          
 
Cranberries fresh 38-42 3-6 90-95
 
         
 
Cucumbers fresh 50-55
 
95 10-14 days          
 
Currants fresh 31-32
 
90-95 1-4 weeks          
 
Eggplant fresh 46-54
 
90-95 1 week          
 
Elderberries fresh 31-32
 
90-95 1-2 weeks          
 
Endive fresh 32 0 95-100 2-3 weeks          
 
Escarole fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Escarole fresh 32 0 95-100 2-3 weeks          
 
Figs fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Garlic fresh 32 0 65-70 6-7 months           May be stored at 55-70 F (13-21 C) for shorter periods
Ginger Root fresh 60-65 16-18 65-70
 
         
 
Gooseberries fresh 31-32
 
90-95 3-4 weeks          
 
Grapefruit fresh 55-60 13-16 90-95
 
         
 
Grapes fresh 31-32
 
85 2-8 weeks          
 
Green Beans fresh 40-45 4-7 90-95
 
         
 
Green Peas fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Greens, leafy fresh 32 0 95-100 10-14 days          
 
Guavas fresh 45-50 7-10 90-95
 
         
 
Herbs fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Horseradish fresh 30-32
 
98-100 10-12 months          
 
Jicama fresh 55-65
 
65-70 1-2 months          
 
Kale fresh 32
 
95-100 2-3 weeks          
 
Kiwi, ripe fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Kiwi, unripe fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Kohlrabi fresh 32 0 98-100 2-3 months          
 
Leeks fresh 32 0 95-100 2-3 months          
 
Lemons fresh 52-55 11-13 90-95
 
         
 
Lettuce fresh 32 0 98-100 2-3 weeks          
 
Limes fresh 48-55 9-13 90-95
 
         
 
Lychees fresh 40-45 4-7 90-95
 
         
 
Mangos fresh 50-55 10-13 85-95
 
         
 
Melons, Casaba/Persian fresh 50-55 10-13 85-95
 
          Riper melons may be stored at 45-50 F (7-10 C)
Melons, Crenshaw fresh 50-55 10-13 85-95
 
          Riper melons may be stored at 45-50 F (7-10 C)
Melons, Honey Dew fresh 50-55 10-13 85-95
 
          Riper melons may be stored at 45-50 F (7-10 C)
Mushrooms fresh 32 0 95 3-4 days          
 
Napa fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Nectarines fresh 31-32
 
90-95 2-4 weeks          
 
Okra fresh 45-50
 
90-95 7-10 days          
 
Onions fresh 32-35 0-2 65-75
 
          May be stored at 55-70 F (13-21 C) for shorter period
Oranges fresh 40-45 4-7 90-95
 
         
 
Oranges fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Papayas fresh 50-55 10-13 85-95
 
         
 
Parsley fresh 32 0 95-100 2-3 months          
 
Parsnips fresh 32 0 98-100 4-6 months          
 
Peaches fresh 31-32
 
90-95 2-4 weeks          
 
Pears fresh 29-31
 
90-95 2-7 months          
 
Peas, green fresh 32 0 95-98 1-2 weeks          
 
Peas, southern fresh 40-41
 
95 6-8 days          
 
Peppers, hot chili fresh 32-50
 
60-70 6 months          
 
Peppers, sweet fresh 45-55 7-10 90-95 2-3 weeks          
 
Persimmons fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Pineapples fresh 50-55 10-13 85-95
 
          Odor may influence avacados
Plums fresh 31-32
 
90-95 2-5 weeks          
 
Pomegranates fresh 41-50 5-10 90-95
 
         
 
Potatoes fresh 45-50 7-10 90-95
 
         
 
Precut Fruit fresh 32-36 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Precut Vegetables fresh 32-36 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Prunes fresh 31-32
 
90-95 2-5 weeks          
 
Pumpkins fresh 50-55
 
65-70 2-3 months          
 
Quinces fresh 31-32
 
90 2-3 months          
 
Quinces fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Radishes, spring fresh 32 0 95-100 3-4 weeks          
 
Radishes, winter fresh 32
 
95-100 2-4 months          
 
Raspberries fresh 31-32
 
90-95 2-3 days          
 
Rhubarb fresh 32 0 95-100 2-4 weeks          
 
Rutabagas fresh 32 0 98-100 4-6 months          
 
Salad Mixes fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Salsify fresh 32
 
95-98 2-4 months          
 
Spinach fresh 32
 
95-100 10-14 days          
 
Sprouts fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Squashes, summer fresh 41-50
 
95 1-2 weeks          
 
Squashes, winter fresh 50
 
50-70 1-6 months          
 
Strawberries fresh 32 0 90-95 3-7 days          
 
Sweet Potatoes fresh 55-60
 
85-90 4-7 months          
 
Tangerines fresh 32-35 0-2 90-95
 
         
 
Tangerines fresh 40-45 4-7 90-95
 
         
 
Tomatoes, mature green fresh 55-70
 
90-95 1-3 weeks           Riping can be delayed by storing at 55-60 F (13-16 C)
Tomatoes, ripe fresh 55-70
 
90-95 4-7 days          
 
Turnip greens fresh 32
 
95-100 10-14 days          
 
Turnips fresh 32 0 95 4-5 months          
 
Watercress fresh 32
 
95-100 2-3 weeks          
 
Watermelon fresh 55-70 13-21 85-95
 
          Keep away from ethylene producing fruits
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
Artichoke, Jerusalem        
  2-5 months        
Asparagus               2-3 weeks
     
Bean & pea, dry
31-32
90-95
   
1 year
           
Bean, green or snap 40-45 90-95     7-10 days            
Bean, lima 37-41 90-95     5-7 days            
Beet (topped) 32 90-95     3-5 months            
Broccoli 32 90-95     10-14 days            
Brussels Sprouts 32 90-95     3-5 weeks
           
Cabbage, late 32 90-95     3-4 months            
Cabbage, Chinese 32
90-95     1-2 months            
Carrot
32
90-95
   
4-5 months
 
trim tops to 1/2"
       
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Celery
Chard
Collard Greens
Corn, sweet
Cucumber
Eggplant
Endive, escarole
32
32
32
32
32
32
50-55
45-55
32
90-95
90-95
90-95
90-95
90-95
90-95
90-95
90-95
90-95
   
2-4 weeks
3-4 months
2-3 months
7-10 days
10-14 days
4-8 days
10-14 days
1 week
2-3 weeks
         
Garlic, dry
32
65-70
   
6-7 months
 
1, do not remove skins