How to store vegetables
Where to keep asparagus, beets, bell peppers, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn on the cob, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, green beans, green onions, jalapeños, kale, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, rhubarb, sweet potatoes, and zucchini, and how long each one lasts there, straight from its own guide.
Food storage chart
How long each food keeps at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer.
| Food | Room temperature | Fridge | Freezer | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | Not given | 3-4 days | 5 months | |
| Beets | 1 day | 1-2 weeks | 6-8 months | |
| Bell peppers | Not given | 4-14 days | 6-8 months | |
| Bok choy | Not given | 2-3 days | 10-12 months | |
| Broccoli | Not given | 3-5 days | 10-12 months | |
| Brussels sprouts | Not given | 3-5 days | 10-12 months | |
| Cabbage | Not given | 1-2 weeks | 10-12 months | |
| Carrots | Not given | 2-3 weeks | 10-12 months | |
| Cauliflower | Not given | 3-5 days | 10-12 months | |
| Celery | Not given | 1-2 weeks | 10-12 months | |
| Corn on the cob | Not given | 1-2 days | 8 months | |
| Cucumbers | Not given | 4-6 days | Not given | |
| Eggplant | 1 day | 4-7 days | 6-8 months | |
| Garlic | 1 month | 3-14 days | 1 month | |
| Green beans | Not given | 3-5 days | 8 months | |
| Green onions | Not given | 1 week | 10-12 months | |
| Jalapeños | Not given | 1 week | 9 months | |
| Kale | Not given | 3-5 days | 8-12 months | |
| Lettuce | Not given | up to 2 weeks | Not given | |
| Mushrooms | 1-2 years if dried | 3-7 days | 10-12 months | |
| Onions | 1 month | 2 months | 10-12 months | |
| Potatoes | 1-2 months | 1-2 weeks | 10-12 months | |
| Pumpkins | 2-3 months | 3-5 months | Not given | |
| Radishes | Not given | 10-14 days | Not given | |
| Rhubarb | Not given | 3-7 days | Not given | |
| Sweet potatoes | 2-3 weeks | Not given | Not given | |
| Zucchini | 1-5 days | 4-5 days | 10-12 months | |
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How to store asparagus in the fridge or freezer
Asparagus lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 5 months in the freezer, per USDA FoodKeeper. Blanch it first if you plan to freeze it.
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Can you freeze beets? Yes, for 6 to 8 months
Fresh beets last 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge and 6 to 8 months in the freezer. Opened pickled beets keep 1 to 2 months in the fridge.
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Can you freeze bok choy? Yes, for 10 to 12 months
Bok choy lasts 2 to 3 days in the fridge and 10 to 12 months in the freezer. Blanch it first, then chill it rapidly and freeze it.
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How long broccoli lasts in the fridge
Broccoli lasts 3 to 5 days in the fridge and 10 to 12 months in the freezer, per USDA FoodKeeper. Blanch it before you freeze it.
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Can you freeze Brussels sprouts? Yes, for months
Brussels sprouts last 3 to 5 days in the fridge and 10 to 12 months in the freezer. Blanch them before you freeze them.
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Can you freeze cabbage? How long it lasts
Cabbage lasts 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge and 10 to 12 months in the freezer. Blanch it before freezing, and cut at least 1 inch around a small mold spot.
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Questions people ask
Do potatoes go bad?
Yes, potatoes go bad. Whole ones keep 1 to 2 months in the pantry and 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and cooked ones keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Does long freezer storage make mushrooms unsafe?
No. Food kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe, and only quality suffers with long freezer storage.
Do you need to refrigerate garlic?
Not unbroken bulbs. USDA FoodKeeper says to store unbroken bulbs in the pantry and individual cloves in the fridge.
How long do onions last on the counter?
FoodKeeper doesn't list a counter time. It gives whole onions 1 month in the pantry, counted from the date of purchase.
Do carrots go bad?
Yes, they can. USDA FoodKeeper gives carrots 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge, and the FDA says to throw away produce that looks rotten.
Does corn on the cob need to be refrigerated?
FoodKeeper lists the refrigerator and the freezer for corn on the cob, so keep it in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. It lasts 1 to 2 days there.