Fresh Vegetable Storage Times

This handy table lists fresh vegetable storage times and gives you some specific tips on storing fresh vegetables.

Store vegetables unwashed

Store vegetables unwashed until you are ready to eat them. Many vegetables have a protective coating that will help keep them fresher for longer.

Slow dehydration

The crisper section of your refrigerator helps vegetables retain moisture. Some fresh vegetables also benefit from storage in perforated plastic bags or containers, which help to slow the drying out process. Use the table below to check which vegetables are suited to storage in an additional layer of plastic.

Extend shelf life with vegetable storage bags

I have had good results extending the shelf life of most vegetables by 1-2 weeks using vegetable storage bags. These are available at the supermarket or online. They're more expensive than regular plastic bags but can be rinsed and re-used.

Table of fresh vegetable storage times

The following table of fresh vegetable storage times for the home is intended as a guideline only. Actual times for storing fresh vegetables depend on the initial quality of the vegetable and how long since the vegetable was harvested. Recommended storage times are for purchased vegetables. If vegetables are freshly harvested from your garden their storage times will generally be longer.

Vegetable	Storage Tips	Fridge	Bag	Shelf-life
alfalfa	Store in plastic bag or container	Y	Y	3-4 days
artichoke	-	Y	Y	1-2 weeks
asparagus	Wrap ends in damp paper towel or stand in 1cm water and cover with a plastic bag	Y	Y	2-3 days
beans	-	Y	Y	7 days
bean sprouts	Bag or container	Y	Y	3 days
beetroot	Cut leaves 5cm above root for extended shelf-life	Y	Y	2-4 weeks
bok choy	-	Y	Y	5 days
broccoli	Bruises easily	Y	Y	5-7 days
brussel sprouts	-	Y	Y	7 days
cabbage (cut)	Trim outer leaves	Y	Y	7 days
cabbage (whole)	Trim outer leaves	Y	Y	3 weeks
capsicum	Dehydrates easily	Y	Y	5-7 days
carrot	Remove leaves	Y	Y	1-2 weeks
cauliflower	Remove leaves, turn head downwards	Y	Y	5-7 days
celery	-	Y	Y	1-2 weeks
chinese broccoli	-	Y	Y	3 days
chinese cabbage	Remove outer leaves	Y	Y	3 weeks
chinese spinach	-	Y	Y	7 days
choko	Cool, dry, well-ventilated space for longer storage	Y	Y	10 days
choy sum	-	Y	Y	5 days
collard	-	Y	Y	3-5 days
corn	Leave husks on, wrap in damp paper towel in coolest part of fridge. Lose sweetness over time	Y	Y	7 days
cucumber	Ages fruit faster so don't store together, dehydrates easily	Y	Y	7 days
eggplant	Bruises easily, dehydrates easily	Y	Y	7 days
endive	Remove damaged leaves	Y	Y	1-2 weeks
fennel	-	Y	Y	7 days
garlic	Store bulbs whole in a cool, dry, dark place	N	N	2 months
ginger	Can be frozen for up to 3 months	Y	Y	1-2 weeks
herbs	Use as soon as possible, trim stems and stand in 2cm water, cover in plastic bag	Y	Y	5 days
kale	-	Y	Y	3-5 days
kohlrabi	Remove leaves and stems	Y	Y	1-2 weeks
leek	Trim	Y	Y	2-3 weeks
lettuce	Use as soon as possible	Y	Y	5-7 days
mushroom	Store in paper bag or cloth to prevent sweating (oyster mushrooms are an exception, use plastic bag or container)	Y	N	2-3 days
okra	Use earlier for best flavour	Y	Y	2 weeks
onion	Store in cool, dry, dark place	N	N	2 months
parsnip	Remove leaves	Y	N	3-4 weeks
peas	Leave in pods	Y	Y	3-5 days
potato	Cool, dry, dark place. Remove from plastic to prevent greening	N	N	3-4 weeks
pumpkin (cut)	-	Y	Y	5 days
pumpkin (whole)	Store in cool, dry, dark place	N	N	2 months
radish	Remove leaves	Y	Y	1-2 weeks
rhubarb	-	Y	Y	7 days
shallots	Wrap ends in damp paper towel	Y	Y	3-5 days
silverbeet	-	Y	Y	3-5 days
snowpea	-	Y	Y	2-3 days
spinach	-	Y	Y	3 days
squash	Store in cool, dark, dry place	N	N	3 weeks
swede(leaves)	Trim leaves off root	Y	Y	3 days
swede(root)	Trim off leaves	Y	Y	2-3 weeks
sweet potato	Store in a cool, dry, dark place. Sensitive to chilling	N	N	3-4 weeks
swiss chard	-	Y	Y	7 days
turnip (leaves)	Trim leaves off root	Y	Y	3 days
turnip (root)	Trim off leaves	Y	Y	2 weeks
watercress	Place in a small bowl containing 1cm water and cover in plastic bag	Y	Y	3-4 days
zucchini	-	Y	Y	1-2 weeks

References

Debney, H.G. (1980). Handling and Storage Practices for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: Product Manual. South Yarra, Vic.:Australian United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Tomkins, B. (1995). Agriculture Notes: Storage Life of Vegetables [online]. Knoxfield: Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

Woolworths Ltd (1993). Fresh Food Cooking: The Healthy Way with Vegetables and Fruit. Epping, N.S.W. : R & R Publishing.

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