How long do carrots last?

Whole carrots keep 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge from purchase, and baby carrots about 4 weeks. Blanched carrots keep 10 to 12 months in the freezer.

Food	Fridge	Freezer	Pantry
Carrots and parsnips	2–3 weeksfrom purchase	10–12 monthsfrom purchase	—
Baby carrotsBlanch before freezing.	4 weeksfrom purchase	3 months	4 daysfrom purchase

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if carrots have gone bad

A slimy surface, especially on baby carrots in an opened bag.
Mold, or soft, mushy, dark patches.
A sour or rotten smell.
Bendy, rubbery carrots aren't spoiled, just dehydrated: soak them in ice water to crisp them up, or cook them.

How to store carrots

Twist or cut off the green tops before storing: they draw moisture out of the carrot.
Keep carrots unwashed in the crisper drawer, in a bag or container that lets a little moisture out.
Keep them away from apples and pears, whose ethylene gas makes carrots bitter.
For cut carrot sticks, keep them in a sealed container of water in the fridge and change the water every few days.

Can you freeze carrots?

Yes, for 10 to 12 months, but blanch them first or they turn soft and lose flavor. Cut them into slices or sticks, boil them for 2 to 3 minutes, plunge them into ice water, dry them and freeze them in a single layer before bagging. Use them straight from frozen in soups, stews and stir-fries.

Questions

Should carrots be stored in water?

Whole carrots, no: they keep best dry in the crisper drawer. Cut carrots and sticks, yes: a container of water in the fridge keeps them crisp for several days.

Why do baby carrots get a white film?

That white blush is the cut surface drying out, not mold. A quick rinse brings them back. Slime, a sour smell or fuzzy mold are the signs to throw them out.

How long do cooked carrots last?

3 to 4 days in the fridge, like other cooked vegetables.

Add carrots to ShelfLife, and get a reminder before they go limp at the back of the drawer.

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