How to store cantaloupe and honeydew, and how long each one lasts
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for 2-4 days
Keep cantaloupe at room temperature for 2 to 4 days from purchase, or until it's ripe.
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Fridge
Keeps for 5-15 days
Refrigerate cantaloupe at 40°F (4°C) or below, where it lasts 5 to 15 days from the day you buy it.
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Freezer
Keeps for 12 months
Freeze cantaloupe, and it keeps for 12 months.
Watch out Other melons such as honeydew keep only 1 month frozen, a time meant for balled melon.
Yes, you can freeze cantaloupe, and it keeps 12 months in the freezer. In the fridge, cantaloupe lasts 5 to 15 days from the day you buy it. At room temperature, it keeps 2 to 4 days or until ripe. Other melons such as honeydew last 2 weeks in the fridge, or 2 to 4 days once cut.
Buying cantaloupe 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
Yes, you can freeze cantaloupe, and it keeps 12 months in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Fresh cantaloupe lasts 5 to 15 days in the fridge or 2 to 4 days at room temperature, counted from the day you buy it.
Honeydew and other melons have FoodKeeper times of their own, and this guide covers them too. Watermelon has a separate guide.
Can you freeze cantaloupe?
Yes, cantaloupe keeps 12 months in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper. That’s much longer than the 5 to 15 days it lasts in the fridge.
Can you freeze honeydew melon?
Yes, but honeydew and other melons keep only 1 month in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper. That time applies to balled melon.
How to store cantaloupe
Store cantaloupe at room temperature for 2 to 4 days, or until it’s ripe. In a clean fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, it lasts 5 to 15 days. Both times count from the date of purchase.
Refrigerate any cantaloupe you buy pre-cut or packaged. At the store, pick pre-cut melon only if it’s refrigerated or surrounded by ice, and choose a cantaloupe that isn’t bruised or damaged.
How to wash a cantaloupe
Scrub a cantaloupe with a clean produce brush under running water before you cut it. The FDA’s guide to serving produce safely advises a brush for firm produce such as melons. Wash it even though you won’t eat the rind, so dirt and bacteria on the surface aren’t carried along by the knife.
Skip soap and produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them. Dry the melon with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further.
How long does cantaloupe last?
Cantaloupe lasts 5 to 15 days in the fridge, 2 to 4 days at room temperature, and 12 months in the freezer. Other melons such as honeydew have different times, shown in the table.
For honeydew and other melons, the 7 days at room temperature start once the melon is ripe, meaning tender, fully developed, and ready to eat. Their 2 weeks in the fridge counts from the date of purchase, and the 2 to 4 days from when you cut the melon.
| Melon | Room temperature | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe | 2 to 4 days, or until ripe | 5 to 15 days | 12 months |
| Other melons, such as honeydew | Until ripe, then 7 days | 2 weeks, or 2 to 4 days once cut | 1 month, balled |
How long does cantaloupe last in the fridge?
Cantaloupe lasts 5 to 15 days in the fridge, counted from the date of purchase. Other melons such as honeydew last 2 weeks in the fridge, or 2 to 4 days once cut.
How to tell if cantaloupe is bad
A cantaloupe that looks rotten has gone bad, so throw it away, the FDA advises. If it has a few bruised or damaged spots, cut them away before you prepare or eat the rest. The same goes for honeydew and other melons.
Frequently asked questions
How long does honeydew last in the fridge?
Honeydew lasts 2 weeks in the fridge from the date of purchase, and 2 to 4 days once you cut it. Those are the USDA FoodKeeper times for melons.
Does cantaloupe need to be refrigerated?
Not right away, since cantaloupe keeps 2 to 4 days at room temperature, or until it's ripe. The fridge gives it 5 to 15 days, and pre-cut cantaloupe always belongs there.
How long does honeydew last on the counter?
Honeydew and other melons can stay at room temperature until they're ripe, then for 7 days, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Do you need soap to wash a cantaloupe?
No, there's no need for soap or produce wash. Scrub the rind with a clean produce brush under running water instead.
What temperature should the fridge be for cantaloupe?
Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, the FDA's advice for perishable fresh fruits and vegetables.
