How to store and freeze eggplant, and tell when it's gone bad
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for 1 day
Eggplant keeps only 1 day in the pantry, so refrigerate it unless you'll cook it within a day.
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Fridge
Keeps for 4-7 days
Keep eggplant in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and cover cut eggplant with plastic wrap to keep it moist.
Watch out Throw out eggplant with mold, because soft, high-moisture produce can be contaminated below the surface.
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Freezer
Keeps for 6-8 months
Blanch or partially cook eggplant in boiling water or a microwave oven, chill it rapidly, and then freeze it.
Eggplant keeps 4 to 7 days in the refrigerator but only 1 day in the pantry, so refrigerate it. Blanch it before freezing, and it lasts 6 to 8 months in the freezer. Throw out eggplant that looks rotten or has mold, because soft produce can be contaminated below the surface.
Buying eggplant 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
Eggplant lasts 4 to 7 days in the refrigerator and 6 to 8 months in the freezer, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Both times count from the day you buy it. In the pantry, it keeps only 1 day, so the fridge is where it belongs.
How to store eggplant
The best way to store eggplant is in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, where it keeps 4 to 7 days. Cover fresh or cut eggplant with plastic wrap to keep it moist and away from mold spores in the air.
At the store, choose eggplant that isn’t bruised or damaged. If you buy it pre-cut or packaged, pick only eggplant kept refrigerated or surrounded by ice, and refrigerate it at home.
Should eggplant be refrigerated?
Yes, refrigerate eggplant unless you’ll cook it within a day. USDA FoodKeeper gives it only 1 day in the pantry, compared with 4 to 7 days in the fridge.
How long does eggplant last in the fridge?
Eggplant lasts 4 to 7 days in the fridge from the day you buy it. If you won’t cook it in that time, blanch it and freeze it instead.
Can you freeze eggplant?
Yes, eggplant keeps 6 to 8 months in the freezer from the day you buy it. Blanch it first, because the USDA says most vegetables that freeze well need brief, partial cooking to prevent deterioration.
How to freeze eggplant
Blanch eggplant and chill it rapidly before you freeze it, as the USDA’s guide to freezing and food safety describes for most vegetables.
- Rinse the eggplant under plain running water, then dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Blanch or partially cook it in boiling water or in a microwave oven.
- Chill it rapidly, then put it in the freezer.
How to tell if eggplant is bad
Throw out eggplant that looks rotten or has mold. Soft, high-moisture produce such as cucumbers and tomatoes can be contaminated below the surface.
That’s why the USDA’s guide to molds on food says to throw it out when it’s moldy. Bruised or damaged areas are different, so cut them away before you prepare or eat the eggplant.
Good vs. bad eggplant
Good eggplant has no bruises or damage, while bad eggplant looks rotten or has mold. The table shows what to do in each case.
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| No bruises or damage | Refrigerate it and use it within 4 to 7 days |
| Bruised or damaged areas | Cut those areas away before you prepare or eat it |
| Mold, or a rotten look | Throw the eggplant out |
How to wash eggplant
Rinse eggplant under plain running water before you peel or cut it, rubbing it gently. Then dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further, as the FDA’s tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables advise.
Wash it even if you’ll peel it, 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
How long does eggplant last out of the fridge?
Eggplant keeps only 1 day in the pantry, according to USDA FoodKeeper. In the refrigerator, it lasts 4 to 7 days.
Can you cut mold off an eggplant?
Throw out moldy eggplant instead of cutting the mold off. Soft, high-moisture produce can be contaminated below the surface.
How do you keep cut eggplant fresh?
Cover cut eggplant with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. The wrap keeps it moist and away from mold spores in the air.
Can you freeze eggplant raw?
Blanch eggplant before freezing rather than freezing it raw. The USDA says most vegetables that freeze well need brief, partial cooking first to prevent deterioration.
How long does frozen eggplant last?
Frozen eggplant keeps 6 to 8 months from the day you bought it, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
