How to store watermelon, whole or cut, and how long it keeps
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for 1-2 days
Keep a whole watermelon at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, or until it's ripe.
Watch out Cut watermelon can sit out for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
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Fridge
Keeps for 3-4 days
A whole watermelon keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and cut watermelon keeps 2 to 4 days at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Watch out Make sure pre-cut watermelon slices are refrigerated or on ice, both in the store and at home.
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Freezer
Keeps for 12 months
FoodKeeper gives watermelon 12 months in the freezer.
A whole watermelon keeps 1 to 2 days at room temperature, or until it's ripe, and 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Cut watermelon keeps 2 to 4 days in the fridge and shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours. You can freeze watermelon for 12 months.
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A whole watermelon keeps 1 to 2 days at room temperature, or until it’s ripe, and 3 to 4 days in the fridge, according to the USDA’s FoodKeeper. Once you cut it, keep it in the fridge.
This guide covers whole and cut watermelon, freezing, and what to do with a melon that looks bad.
How long does watermelon last?
A whole watermelon lasts 1 to 2 days at room temperature and 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Cut watermelon lasts 2 to 4 days in the fridge, and you can keep watermelon in the freezer for 12 months.
FoodKeeper counts the times for a whole watermelon from the day you buy it. The room temperature time is 1 to 2 days, or until the watermelon is ripe.
| Place | How long | For |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | 1 to 2 days, or until ripe | Whole watermelon |
| Fridge | 3 to 4 days | Whole watermelon |
| Fridge | 2 to 4 days | Cut watermelon |
| Freezer | 12 months | Watermelon |
How long does watermelon last in the fridge?
A whole watermelon lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge, counted from the day you bought it. That is longer than the 1 to 2 days it lasts at room temperature.
How long is cut watermelon good for?
Cut watermelon is good for 2 to 4 days in the fridge. That’s the time FoodKeeper lists for a melon after it’s opened.
Keep cut watermelon in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. If you buy it pre-cut, choose only pieces that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice. Keep slices refrigerated or on ice at home too.
How to store watermelon
Keep a whole watermelon at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, or until it’s ripe. FoodKeeper defines ripe as tender, fully developed, and ready to eat.
Choose a watermelon that isn’t bruised or damaged when you buy it. If you won’t eat it within 1 to 2 days, use the fridge, which gives you 3 to 4 days.
How long can watermelon sit out?
Cut watermelon can sit out for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it’s above 90°F (32°C). That is the USDA’s rule for perishable food, and it covers cut watermelon.
The rule doesn’t cover a whole watermelon. A whole one can stay at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, or until it’s ripe.
Can you freeze watermelon?
Yes, you can freeze watermelon for 12 months, according to FoodKeeper.
How to freeze watermelon
Wash the watermelon under running water before you cut it, then freeze the pieces and use them within the 12 months FoodKeeper lists.
How to tell if watermelon is bad
Throw away watermelon that looks rotten, according to the FDA’s guidance on selecting and serving produce safely. If only one area is damaged or bruised, cut it away before you prepare or eat the rest.
Also count the days. A whole watermelon keeps 1 to 2 days at room temperature and 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and cut watermelon keeps 2 to 4 days in the fridge.
How to wash watermelon
Scrub a whole watermelon with a clean produce brush under plain running water. The FDA says to scrub firm produce, such as melons, this way. Skip soap, detergent, and produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them.
Wash it before you cut it, even though you won’t eat the skin. That way dirt and bacteria aren’t carried from the surface when you cut it. Dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria, as the FDA’s tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables explain.
Frequently asked questions
Does watermelon go bad?
Watermelon does go bad. A whole watermelon keeps 1 to 2 days at room temperature or 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and cut watermelon keeps 2 to 4 days in the fridge. Throw away watermelon that looks rotten.
Does a whole watermelon need to be refrigerated?
A whole watermelon can stay at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, or until it's ripe, and the fridge gives it 3 to 4 days. Cut watermelon belongs in the fridge.
How long does pre-cut watermelon from the store last?
Follow the use-by date on the package, and use the watermelon within 4 days after you open it. Those are FoodKeeper's times for cut fruit.
Can you eat a bruised watermelon?
Cut away bruised or damaged areas of the watermelon before you prepare or eat it. If the watermelon looks rotten, throw it away.
How long does an uncut watermelon last?
An uncut watermelon lasts 1 to 2 days at room temperature, or until it's ripe, and 3 to 4 days in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it, according to FoodKeeper.
