ShelfLife
How long does orange juice last?
Chilled orange juice from a carton keeps 7 to 10 days in the fridge once opened. Freshly squeezed juice keeps only 2 to 3 days. Orange juice freezes for 8 to 12 months.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Orange juice in a carton, sold chilled | —Opened: 7–10 days | 8–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Freshly squeezed orange juice | 2–3 days | 2–3 weeks |
| Frozen orange juice concentrate | — | 12 monthsfrom 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 orange juice has gone bad
- A sour, vinegary or alcoholic smell: the juice has started to ferment.
- A fizzy taste or bubbles, or a carton that has swollen.
- Mold around the cap or floating in the juice.
- A darker, brownish color. Pulp settling at the bottom is normal: shake it.
How to store orange juice
- Keep chilled juice in the fridge, before and after opening, on a shelf rather than in the door.
- Close the cap tightly after each pour, and don't drink from the carton.
- Shelf-stable juice in boxes or bottles can stay in the pantry until opened; after that, keep it in the fridge.
- Drink freshly squeezed juice the same day if you can, or within 2 to 3 days.
Can you freeze orange juice?
Yes. Carton orange juice keeps 8 to 12 months in the freezer, freshly squeezed juice 2 to 3 weeks for the best flavor. Leave room at the top of the container, as juice expands when frozen. Thaw it in the fridge and shake well before drinking. Ice cube trays work well for smoothies.
Questions
Can you drink orange juice after the date?
An unopened chilled carton kept cold may be fine a little past its date. Once opened, go by the 7 to 10 days, and throw it out if it smells sour, tastes fizzy or shows mold.
How long can orange juice sit out?
Chilled juice shouldn't stay out for more than 2 hours. Unpasteurized fresh juice is the most perishable.
Is unpasteurized juice safe?
Fresh, unpasteurized juice can carry bacteria. US health agencies advise children, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems to choose pasteurized juice.
Add juice to ShelfLife when you open it, and get a reminder before day 7.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.