Carrots
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Cauliflower
Refrigerator: 1 week
Celery
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Chard
Such as Swiss and rainbow
Refrigerator: 3 days
Cherries
Refrigerator: 3 days (in an open bag or bowl)
Chili peppers, fresh
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Note: Dried chili peppers will keep for 4 months in an airtight container.
Clementines
Refrigerator: 5 days
Collard greens
Refrigerator: 5 days
Corn, unshucked
Refrigerator: Best on the first day; 3 days are possible.
Cranberries
Refrigerator: 1 month
Cucumbers
Refrigerator: 5 days
Eggplant
Refrigerator: 5 days
Endive
Refrigerator: 5 days
Escarole
Refrigerator: 3 days
Fennel
Refrigerator: 1 week
Garlic
Pantry: 2 months (make sure air can circulate around it)
Ginger
Refrigerator: 3 weeks
Tip: Ginger can be frozen for up to 6 months. It’s not necessary to thaw it before grating.
Grapefruit
Countertop: 1 week
Refrigerator: 3 weeks
Grapes
Refrigerator: Best up to 3 days; 1 week is possible (in a bowl or ventilated plastic bag).
Green beans
Refrigerator: 1 week
Herbs, leafy
Refrigerator: 3 days (basil, cilantro, chives, tarragon); 5 days (parsley, mint)
Tip: Wrap the bunch in a damp paper towel before bagging.
Herbs, woody
Such as rosemary and thyme
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Honeydew
Refrigerator: 5 days (whole); 3 days (cut)
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag. Before slicing the melon, wash the rind thoroughly to prevent the transmission of bacteria.
Jicama
Refrigerator: 1 week
Kale
Refrigerator: 3 days
Kiwis
Refrigerator: 4 days
Leeks
Refrigerator: 1 week
Tip: Cut off and discard the dark green tops and keep the roots intact.
Lemons
Refrigerator: 3 weeks
Lettuce, bagged and in clamshells
Refrigerator: No matter how fresh the leaves look, follow the expiration date on the package, since bacteria can develop.
Lettuce, head
Refrigerator: 5 days (iceberg can last for 2 weeks)
Limes
Refrigerator: 3 weeks
Mangoes
Refrigerator: 4 days
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag until soft.
Mushrooms
Refrigerator: 1 week (in a paper bag)
Mustard greens
Refrigerator: 3 days
Nectarines
Refrigerator: 5 days
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag until soft.
Okra
Refrigerator: 3 days (in a paper bag)
Onions
Pantry: 2 months (whole; make sure air can circulate around them)
Refrigerator: 4 days (cut)
Oranges
Countertop: 3 days
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Parsnips
Refrigerator: 1 month
Peaches
Refrigerator: 5 days
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag until soft and slightly fragrant.
Pears
Refrigerator: 5 days
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag until soft.
Peas, English and in pods
Refrigerator: 4 days
Tip: Leave them in the pods until ready to eat.
Pineapple
Countertop: 5 days (whole)
Refrigerator: 3 days (sliced)
Plums
Refrigerator: 5 days
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature until soft and the skins develop a silvery, powdery coating.
Pomegranates
Refrigerator: 3 weeks (whole); 3 days (seeds)
Potatoes, new and fingerling
Pantry: 5 days (make sure air can circulate around them)
Potatoes—red, russet, Yukon gold, and others
Pantry: 3 weeks (make sure air can circulate around them)
Radicchio
Refrigerator: 4 days
Radishes
Refrigerator: Best up to 3 days; 2 weeks are possible
Tip: Remove the leaves to prolong freshness.
Raspberries
Refrigerator: 3 days (in a single layer on a paper towel–lined plate)
Tip: Discard damaged or moldy berries before storing to prevent the spread of mold.
Rhubarb
Refrigerator: 1 week
Tip: Do not eat the leaves; they can be toxic if consumed in large quantities.
Rutabaga
Pantry: 1 week
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Scallions
Refrigerator: 5 days
Shallots
Pantry: 1 month (make sure air can circulate around them)
Snow peas
Refrigerator: 4 days
Spinach, bagged and in clamshells
Refrigerator: No matter how fresh the leaves look, follow the expiration date on the package, since bacteria can develop.
Spinach, bunch
Refrigerator: 3 days
Squash, summer
Refrigerator: 5 days
Squash, winter
Such as acorn, butternut, delicata, and spaghetti
Pantry: 3 months (whole)
Refrigerator: 1 week (cut)
Strawberries
Refrigerator: 3 days
Tip: Discard damaged or moldy berries before storing to prevent the spread of mold.
Sugar snap peas
Refrigerator: 4 days
Sweet potatoes and yams
Pantry: 2 weeks (in a paper bag)
Tangerines
Refrigerator: 1 week
Tomatillos
Refrigerator: 1 month (in a paper bag)
Tomatoes
Countertop: 3 days
Tip: To ripen, keep at room temperature in a paper bag.
Turnips
Refrigerator: 2 weeks
Tip: Separate the leaves from the roots before storing them separately in a plastic bag; the leaves will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Watercress, bagged and in clamshells
Refrigerator: No matter how fresh the leaves look, follow the expiration date on the package, since bacteria can develop.
Watercress, bunch
Refrigerator: 4 days
Watermelon
Refrigerator: 1 week (whole); 2 days (cut)
Tip: If you can’t refrigerate the melon whole, keep it in the pantry at a cool temperature.
Zucchini
Refrigerator: 5 days