Ripen peaches at room temperature, then refrigerate or freeze them
Quick answer
-
Room temperature
Keeps for Until ripe, then 1-2 days
Leave peaches at room temperature until they're ripe, then eat them within 1 to 2 days or move them to the refrigerator.
-
Fridge
Keeps for 3-5 days
Move ripe peaches to the refrigerator, kept clean and at 40°F (4°C) or below, because the 3 to 5 days applies to ripe fruit.
Watch out Throw out peaches that are moldy, because soft, high-moisture fruit can be contaminated below the surface.
-
Freezer
Keeps for 2 months
Slice the peaches and freeze them with lemon juice and sugar, because that's the method FoodKeeper's 2 months applies to.
Watch out FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for peaches frozen another way.
Keep peaches at room temperature until they're ripe, then eat them within 1 to 2 days or refrigerate them for 3 to 5 days. USDA FoodKeeper gives peaches 2 months in the freezer when they're sliced and frozen with lemon juice and sugar. Throw out moldy peaches, because mold can be below the surface of soft, high-moisture fruit.
Buying peaches 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
Ripe peaches last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 1 to 2 days at room temperature. Unripe peaches stay at room temperature until they ripen.
You can freeze peaches too. USDA FoodKeeper gives them 2 months in the freezer, and that time applies to peaches sliced and frozen with lemon juice and sugar.
Storage starts at the store. The FDA’s guide to selecting and serving produce safely says to choose produce that isn’t bruised or damaged.
How to store peaches
Keep peaches at room temperature until they’re ripe, then eat them within 1 to 2 days or move them to the refrigerator. USDA FoodKeeper calls a peach ripe when it’s tender, fully developed, and ready to eat.
Should peaches be refrigerated?
Yes, once they’re ripe. A ripe peach keeps 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, compared with 1 to 2 days at room temperature.
Unripe peaches stay at room temperature, because FoodKeeper’s refrigerator time applies to ripe fruit. Keep the refrigerator clean and at 40°F (4°C) or below, as the FDA advises for perishable fresh fruits.
Cut and packaged peaches
Cover fresh or cut peaches with plastic wrap to keep them moist and away from mold spores in the air, as the USDA advises. Peaches sold pre-cut or packaged go in the refrigerator, because the FDA says to refrigerate all produce purchased that way.
How long do peaches last?
Ripe peaches last 1 to 2 days at room temperature and 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, and sliced peaches frozen with lemon juice and sugar keep 2 months.
| Peaches | How long |
|---|---|
| Unripe, at room temperature | Until ripe |
| Ripe, at room temperature | 1 to 2 days |
| Ripe, in the refrigerator | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer, sliced with lemon juice and sugar | 2 months |
How long does peach pie last?
Peach pie keeps 1 to 2 days at room temperature, 1 week in the refrigerator after opening, and 8 months in the freezer. Those are USDA FoodKeeper’s times for fruit pies, a group that includes peach.
How to freeze peaches
To freeze peaches, slice them and freeze them with lemon juice and sugar. That’s the method behind USDA FoodKeeper’s freezer time of 2 months for peaches.
FoodKeeper lists peaches with nectarines, plums, pears, and sapote, and gives the group one freezer time.
Can you freeze peaches without sugar?
FoodKeeper doesn’t give a freezer time for that. Its 2 months applies only to peaches sliced and frozen with lemon juice and sugar.
Can you freeze peaches whole?
USDA FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for whole peaches. Its 2 months applies only to peaches sliced and frozen with lemon juice and sugar, so slice them first if you want a freezer time you can rely on.
How to tell if a peach has gone bad
Throw away a peach that looks rotten or is moldy. The USDA names peaches among the soft, high-moisture fruits to throw out when moldy, because they can be contaminated below the surface.
If only part of a peach is damaged or bruised, cut those areas away before you prepare or eat it.
How to wash peaches
Wash peaches under plain running water before you peel, cut, or eat them, as the FDA’s tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables explain. Gently rub the fruit, then dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria.
You don’t need soap or a produce wash. Washing reduces bacteria but doesn’t eliminate them.
Frequently asked questions
What does ripe mean for peaches?
USDA FoodKeeper says ripe is when a peach is tender, fully developed, and ready to eat.
Does the refrigerator time of 3 to 5 days apply to unripe peaches?
No. FoodKeeper says the refrigerator timeline applies to ripe fruit. Unripe peaches stay at room temperature until they ripen.
Are nectarines stored the same way as peaches?
Yes. USDA FoodKeeper lists peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, and sapote on one line, with the same times for room temperature, the refrigerator, and the freezer.
Do you need to wash peaches before peeling them?
Yes. Rinse peaches under running water before you peel them, so dirt and bacteria aren't carried from the surface when you peel or cut.
Should you wash peaches with soap?
No. The FDA doesn't recommend soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them.
