How to store fresh and pickled beets, and how long they keep
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for 1 day
Fresh beets keep only 1 day in the pantry, so refrigerate them unless you'll use them within a day.
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Fridge
Keeps for 1-2 weeks
Store beets in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and wash them under running water before you prepare or eat them.
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Freezer
Keeps for 6-8 months
Blanch or partially cook beets in boiling water or a microwave oven, chill them rapidly, and then freeze them.
Fresh beets keep 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator but only 1 day in the pantry, so refrigerate them. Blanch beets before freezing, and they last 6 to 8 months in the freezer. A jar of pickled beets keeps 1 year in the pantry and 1 to 2 months in the fridge after opening.
Buying beets this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
- Quantity and unit on every item
- A note like “fridge, use within a week”
- One list shared with everyone at home
Beets last 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and 6 to 8 months in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Both times count from the day you buy them. In the pantry, fresh beets keep only 1 day.
Pickled beets keep much longer. A jar lasts 1 year in the pantry, and once you open it, it goes in the fridge.
How to store beets
The best way to store beets is in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, where they keep 1 to 2 weeks. That’s the FDA’s advice for perishable fresh vegetables, and the FDA also says to refrigerate all produce bought pre-cut or packaged.
At the store, choose beets that aren’t bruised or damaged. If you buy them pre-cut or packaged, pick only ones kept refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
How long do beets last in the fridge?
Fresh beets last 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge from the day you buy them. If you won’t use them in that time, blanch them and freeze them instead.
Do beets need to be refrigerated?
Yes, refrigerate beets unless you’ll use them within a day. USDA FoodKeeper gives fresh beets only 1 day in the pantry, compared with 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze beets?
Yes, beets keep 6 to 8 months in the freezer from the day you buy them. Blanch them first, because the USDA says most vegetables that freeze well need brief, partial cooking to prevent deterioration.
How to freeze beets
Blanch beets and chill them rapidly before you freeze them, as the USDA’s guide to freezing and food safety describes for most vegetables.
- Rinse the beets under plain running water, then dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Blanch or partially cook them in boiling water or in a microwave oven.
- Chill them rapidly, then put them in the freezer.
How long do beets last?
Fresh beets last 1 day in the pantry, 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge, and 6 to 8 months in the freezer. Pickled beets last far longer, as the USDA FoodKeeper times below show.
| Beets | Pantry | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh | 1 day | 1 to 2 weeks | 6 to 8 months |
| Pickled | 1 year | 1 to 2 months after opening | No time listed |
How long do pickled beets last in the fridge?
Opened pickled beets last 1 to 2 months in the fridge. USDA FoodKeeper says to refrigerate the jar once you open it. Until then, it keeps 1 year in the pantry.
How to tell if beets are bad
Throw away beets that look rotten. If a beet only has bruised or damaged areas, cut them away before you prepare or eat it.
You can cut a small mold spot off a beet, too. Cut off at least 1 inch around and below the spot, keeping the knife out of the mold. The USDA’s guide to molds on food gives that rule for firm, low-moisture vegetables such as carrots and cabbage. Mold has a hard time getting into dense foods like these.
How to wash beets
Rinse beets under plain running water before you peel them, rubbing them gently. Then dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further, as the FDA’s tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables advise.
Wash beets even if you’ll peel them, so dirt and bacteria aren’t carried from the surface as you peel or cut. Skip soap, detergent, and produce wash, since produce is porous and can absorb them. Washing reduces bacteria but doesn’t eliminate them.
Frequently asked questions
Can you freeze beets raw?
Blanch beets before freezing rather than freezing them raw. The USDA says most vegetables that freeze well need brief, partial cooking first to prevent deterioration.
Can you cut mold off a beet?
You can cut a small mold spot off a beet. Cut at least 1 inch around and below the spot, and keep the knife out of the mold.
How long do pickled beets last in the pantry?
A jar of pickled beets keeps 1 year in the pantry, according to USDA FoodKeeper. After opening, refrigerate it and use it within 1 to 2 months.
What should you look for when buying beets?
Choose beets that aren't bruised or damaged. For pre-cut or packaged beets, pick only ones kept refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
Do you need soap to wash beets?
No, there's no need for soap or produce wash on beets. Rub them gently under plain running water instead, since produce is porous and can absorb soap.
