How Long Do Carrots Last in the Fridge?

Have you ever wondered How Long Do Carrots Last in the Fridge? Well this post has all the information you need to keep those crunchy orange veggies looking good and tasting great. Plus I’m sharing 18 easy, delicious recipes using carrots!

 

You can always find carrots in our fridge. These vegetables are great for a fresh, crunchy snack or a delicious side – my family especially likes my cinnamon honey carrots. They also add flavor and texture to soup recipes, and are a favorite ingredient to tuck into sushi rolls and various rice bowls. Carrots fit into the dessert category as well – raise your hand if you’re a fan of carrot cake!

This post is packed with information about carrots, from how to select them to how to store them in the fridge and freezer. Plus I’m sharing my family’s favorite recipes using carrots!

How To Choose Carrots

First things first, let’s talk about how to pick the best carrots:

• Color. Look for carrots with deeper and consistent coloring. Skip any that have pale or uneven color.
• How do they feel? Good carrots will be firm – which means they’ll also be crunchy to eat! Pass up any that have soft spots, or if they are limp or rubbery.
• Avoid excessive cracks. If the carrots have a lot of cracks and splits, it usually means they are dry and losing flavor.
• Fresh green tops. When buying whole carrots with their greens attached, make sure the greens are fresh and lively.
• Light, even moisture. When buying bagged baby carrots, avoid any that look overly wet, as this can lead to mold. Also avoid any that look overly dry, with obvious white coloring, as this means the carrots are dried out.

How Long Do Carrots Last in the Fridge and Freezer?

Depending on the method, carrots will keep for quite awhile when stored properly – anywhere from a few weeks in the fridge to a year in the freezer. I’ll go more in-depth with this, but here’s a simple way to sum it all up:

• Submerged in water in the fridge – Up to 4 weeks.
• In the store bag, in the fridge – For 2-3 weeks.
• In the freezer – Up to 12 months.

Tip for you! When storing carrots, keep them away from vegetables and fruits that produce ethylene gas, like apples, pears, and ripe bananas. Ethylene causes carrots to deteriorate much more quickly.

How to Store Carrots

So let’s talk about how to store carrots – from proper storage for fresh carrots and bagged carrots, plus how to freeze them!

Fridge (Whole Carrots)

Whole carrots stored in the fridge will stay fresh for 3-4 weeks when stored properly.

Remove the green tops from the carrots (the greens pull moisture out of the carrots), leave them unpeeled, and place them in an airtight container. Then add enough cold water to submerge the carrots, secure the lid, and store them in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. Change out the water every 3-5 days, to inhibit bacterial growth.

You can also simply leave carrots in the bag from the store, and they’ll still last up to 2-3 weeks – though they may not be as crisp as when you use the water method.

Fridge (Peeled, Cut Carrots)

I grew up with fresh relish trays served at every gathering, and Mom taught me how to store cut carrots and celery in water. This keeps them extra fresh and crisp!

Carrot peels act as a protective layer. So when you remove that peel, the carrots dry out more easily. That’s where this water method shines.

Just place the peeled, cut carrots in a jar or container with a lid, or in a sealable baggie, then add cold water to submerge them – and store them in the refrigerator. Change out the water every 3-5 days, to inhibit bacterial growth, and give the carrots a quick rinse right before eating. The carrots will keep very well for up to 3 weeks.

Fridge (Bagged Baby Carrots)

You can also store bagged baby carrots using that same water method! Most baby carrots are simply mature carrots that are peeled and cut down in size, which means you can store them the same way you’d store other peeled carrots.

Place the baby carrots in a jar or container with a lid, or in a sealable baggie, then add cold water to submerge them – and store them in the refrigerator. Change out the water every 3-5 days, to inhibit bacterial growth, and give the carrots a quick rinse right before eating. The carrots will keep very well for up to 3 weeks.

How To Store Cooked Carrots

Cooked carrots will keep well for about 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just cook as desired and let them cool completely. Then transfer the carrots to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Carrots?

Yes, you can freeze carrots! Freezing fresh carrots is a great way to keep carrots for later use in soups, stews, or stir-fries, especially if you have an abundant garden crop. I like to blanch carrots before freezing, which helps retain their flavor, vibrant color, and nutrients.

How To Freeze Fresh Carrots

1. Wash and peel the carrots.
2. Cut them into the shape you plan to eat them later (chopped, diced, sliced, etc.).
3. Cook the carrots in boiling water for 2 to 4 minutes, depending on size, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking further. This is called blanching.
4. Once carrots are cooled, spread them onto a clean kitchen towel to shed most of the water.
5. Then spread out the carrots on a baking sheet and place them in a freezer for 1-2 hours. This will keep them from sticking together when stored.
6. Finally, transfer the frozen carrots to a freezer-safe baggie, label with the date, and store in the freezer for up to 12 months.

You can freeze fresh grated carrots for later, without blanching, to use in baking, salads, and soups.

How to Tell When Carrots Are Bad

Even when stored properly, there’s always a risk of carrots spoiling. Here are some ways to know if carrots have gone bad:

• Color: Discoloration or dark spots.
• Texture: Soft, wilted, or slimy.
• Smell: Anything that smells bad, moldy, or simply “not fresh”.

Are Carrots Good For Your Eyes?

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene. Our bodies convert this into vitamin A, which is an important nutrient for eye health. Eating a ton of carrots won’t correct vision impairment, but a diet rich in carrots and other vegetables will support overall eye and general health.