ShelfLife
How long do lemons last?
Lemons, limes, oranges and other citrus keep about 10 days at room temperature and 10 to 21 days in the fridge. Whole citrus doesn't freeze well, but the juice and zest freeze perfectly.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemons, limes, oranges and other citrusWhole fruit doesn't freeze well; juice and zest do. | 10–21 daysfrom purchase | Not recommended | 10 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 lemons have gone bad
- Mold: soft blue-green or white patches. Throw the fruit out and check the others nearby, as citrus mold spreads.
- Soft, mushy or sunken spots, or a squishy fruit.
- A fermented or sour smell beyond the normal citrus scent.
- Hard, dry, wrinkled skin means the fruit has lost moisture: it's still usable, with less juice.
How to store lemons
- Keep citrus you'll use within a week in a fruit bowl, out of direct sun.
- For longer, keep them in the fridge's crisper drawer, ideally in a sealed bag, which stops them drying out.
- Wrap a cut lemon or lime half tightly, cut side down in a small container, and use it within a few days.
- Take citrus out of the fridge a little before juicing: room-temperature fruit gives more juice.
Can you freeze lemons?
Whole citrus turns mushy when thawed, so the USDA doesn't recommend freezing it whole. Freeze the juice instead, in ice cube trays, and the zest in a small bag; both keep their flavor for months and go straight into recipes. Slices frozen on a tray are handy for drinks.
Questions
Should lemons be kept in the fridge?
For longer storage, yes: about 10 days on the counter, up to 3 weeks in the fridge, where a sealed bag stops them drying out.
How long does a cut lemon last?
A few days in the fridge, wrapped or in a closed container. It dries out and loses juice quickly.
How long does fresh lemon juice last?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best within a few days in a sealed jar in the fridge, or frozen in ice cube trays for months.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.