How to store a whole pumpkin so it lasts up to 5 months

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A whole pumpkin lasts 2 to 3 months in the pantry and 3 to 5 months in the refrigerator, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Both times count from the day you bought it.

Those times are for whole, uncarved pumpkins. Pumpkin seeds have their own, at 6 months in the pantry, raw or roasted.

How long do pumpkins last?

Whole pumpkins last 2 to 3 months in the pantry and 3 to 5 months in the refrigerator, counted from the date you bought them. The times apply to pumpkins that haven’t been carved or cut. USDA FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for pumpkins.

How to make pumpkins last longer

Keep a whole pumpkin in the refrigerator, where it lasts 3 to 5 months instead of 2 to 3 months in the pantry. Start with a good one, too. The FDA advises choosing produce that isn’t bruised or damaged.

Pumpkins in the pantry

A whole pumpkin keeps 2 to 3 months in the pantry, counted from the date you bought it. Look it over from time to time, and throw it away if it looks rotten.

Pumpkins in the fridge

In the refrigerator, a whole pumpkin keeps 3 to 5 months from the date you bought it. That’s the longest time USDA FoodKeeper gives a pumpkin.

Pre-cut and packaged pumpkin

Refrigerate pumpkin you buy pre-cut or packaged, as the FDA’s guide to selecting and serving produce safely advises for all produce sold that way. At the store, choose pre-cut produce only if it’s refrigerated or surrounded by ice. The FDA’s advice for perishable produce is a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.

When to throw a pumpkin away

Throw away a pumpkin that looks rotten, as the FDA advises for all produce. If only part of it is damaged or bruised, cut those areas away before you cook or eat it.

How to wash a pumpkin

Rinse a pumpkin under plain running water before you peel or cut it, even if you won’t eat the skin. Washing first means dirt and bacteria aren’t carried from the surface as you peel or cut. It reduces bacteria but doesn’t eliminate them, and the FDA’s tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables give the steps below.

• Gently rub the pumpkin under plain running water.
• Skip soap, detergent, and commercial produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them.
• Dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria.

How long do pumpkin seeds last?

Pumpkin seeds last 6 months in the pantry, raw or roasted, with or without the shell. Raw seeds without the shell also keep 6 months in the refrigerator, but USDA FoodKeeper doesn’t recommend refrigerating raw seeds in the shell.

Carved pumpkins and pumpkin puree

The times in this guide are for whole pumpkins and pumpkin seeds, so they don’t cover carved pumpkins, pumpkin puree, or canned pumpkin. Don’t count on the 2 to 3 months or 3 to 5 months once you carve or cut a pumpkin.