How long do cucumbers last?

Whole cucumbers keep 4 to 6 days in the fridge from the day you buy them. A cut cucumber keeps a day or two, wrapped. The USDA doesn't recommend freezing cucumbers.

Food	Fridge	Freezer
Cucumbers	4–6 daysfrom purchase	Not recommended

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 a cucumber has gone bad

Soft, mushy or wrinkled flesh, especially at the ends.
A slimy surface, or white, fuzzy mold.
Yellowing skin, or dark, sunken, watery spots.
A sour smell. A cucumber that's just a little bendy is still fine for cooking or pickling.

How to store cucumbers

Keep cucumbers in the fridge, ideally in the warmest part, such as the front of a shelf or the door: very cold spots give them watery, pitted patches.
Keep them dry: wrap them in a paper towel or a loose bag to absorb moisture.
Keep them away from bananas, melons and tomatoes, whose ethylene gas makes cucumbers yellow and soft faster.
Wrap a cut cucumber tightly, cut end covered, and use it within a day or two.

Can you freeze cucumbers?

Not whole or sliced for salads: cucumbers are mostly water and turn limp and mushy. Slices frozen in brine or a vinegar mix keep a little crunch, and puréed cucumber freezes well for smoothies or cold soups.

Questions

Should cucumbers go in the fridge?

Yes, though they don't like the coldest spots. A few days in a cool room is fine if you'll eat them soon; for 4 to 6 days, the fridge is better.

How long does a cut cucumber last?

A day or two in the fridge, with the cut end wrapped tightly.

Can you eat a slightly soft cucumber?

Yes, if it isn't slimy, moldy or sour-smelling. Peel it and use it in soups, sauces or smoothies.

Add cucumbers to ShelfLife, and get a reminder before they turn soft in the drawer.

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