ShelfLife
Fruit: storage times
Tap a food for how to store it, how to tell it has gone bad and whether it freezes well.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApplesFreezer time is for cooked apples (sauce, pie filling). | 4–6 weeksfrom purchase | 8 months | 3 weeksfrom purchase |
| AvocadosFridge time is for ripe avocados. | 3–4 days | Not recommended | Until ripe |
| BananasFridge time is for ripe bananas; the skin turns black. | 3 days | 2–3 months | Until ripe |
| Cherries | 2–3 daysfrom purchase | 8–12 months | — |
| Fresh whole coconut | 2–3 weeksfrom purchase | Not recommended | 1 weekfrom purchase |
| Shredded coconut | —Opened: 8 months | 1 year | 1 yearfrom purchase |
| Fresh cranberries | 2 monthsfrom purchase | 12 months | — |
| Canned cranberry sauce | —Opened: 1–2 weeks | — | 2 yearsfrom purchase |
| Homemade cranberry sauce | 7–10 days | — | — |
| GrapesFreezer time is for whole grapes. | 1 weekfrom purchase | 1 month | 1 dayfrom purchase |
| Kiwi fruitFridge time is for ripe kiwis. | 3–6 days | Not recommended | Until ripe |
| Lemons, limes, oranges and other citrusWhole fruit doesn't freeze well; juice and zest do. | 10–21 daysfrom purchase | Not recommended | 10 daysfrom purchase |
| Mango, papaya, passion fruit | 1 weekfrom purchase | 6–8 months | 3–5 daysfrom purchase |
| Cantaloupe | 5–15 daysfrom purchase | 12 months | 2–4 daysfrom purchase |
| Honeydew | 3–4 daysfrom purchase | 12 months | 2–7 daysfrom purchase |
| Peaches, nectarines, plums, pearsOn the counter until ripe, then 1 to 2 days. Fridge time is for ripe fruit. Freezer time is for slices with lemon juice and sugar. | 3–5 days | 2 months | Until ripe |
| PineappleOn the counter until ripe, then 1 to 2 days. Fridge time is for ripe fruit. | 5–7 days | 10–12 months | Until ripe |
| Pomegranate | 1–3 monthsfrom purchase | 10–12 months | 2–5 daysfrom purchase |
| Strawberries | 2–3 daysfrom purchase | 8–12 months | — |
| Raspberries | 2–3 daysfrom purchase | 8–12 months | — |
| Blueberries | 1–2 weeksfrom purchase | 8–12 months | — |
| WatermelonCounter: 1 to 2 days from purchase, or until ripe. | 3–4 daysfrom purchase | 12 months | 1–2 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.
- ApplesFridge: 4–6 weeks
- AvocadosFridge: 3–4 days
- BananasFridge: 3 days
- CherriesFridge: 2–3 days
- CoconutFridge: 2–3 weeks
- CranberriesFridge: 2 months
- GrapesFridge: 1 week
- KiwiFridge: 3–6 days
- Lemons and citrusFridge: 10–21 days
- MangoFridge: 1 week
- MelonFridge: 5–15 days
- PeachesFridge: 3–5 days
- PineappleFridge: 5–7 days
- PomegranateFridge: 1–3 months
- StrawberriesFridge: 2–3 days
- WatermelonFridge: 3–4 days
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.