Fridge storage

How long do lemons last in the fridge?

About 10 days for lemons. That’s what Well Stockd plans on; the table below has the sources’ own times.

Times are for a fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee.

How we checked this: each storage time here is checked against the source named beside it, USDA FoodKeeper, USDA FSIS or another, before the page goes live. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, since FoodKeeper and FSIS give none. Editorial policy

How long they keep

Unopened
10 to 21 days refrigerated Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Citrus fruit (opens in a new tab)
Opened or cut
Cut lemons hold about 4 days; juice holds 3 to 4 days Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.
Freezer
Not recommended: USDA FoodKeeper does not recommend freezing citrus fruit.
How to store them
In a sealed bag in the crisper, which roughly doubles their life over a counter bowl.
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How to tell if lemons have gone bad

Dates are estimates; these are the checks that actually decide it. Don’t taste food to check whether it has gone bad.

Throw them out at once if you see:

  • White or green mold

Warning signs (throw them out if you notice more than one):

  • Soft or squishy patches
  • Hardened, dried skin

Sources and limits

Write the date it went in on the container, and check it before day 10.

Well Stockd doesn’t know when this food was harvested, packed, bought, opened or cooked. Write down the date you opened, cooked or refrigerated it, follow the package directions, keep your fridge at 40°F or below, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.

Each time in the table names its source beside it. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, because FoodKeeper and FSIS give none for that food in that state, and where our time differs from FoodKeeper’s, the row shows FoodKeeper’s figure too. The number at the top is Well Stockd’s own estimate. It’s a guide, not a safety guarantee: FoodKeeper says storage times are guidelines, and quality varies with how food is grown, handled, shipped and stored. This page was last updated .

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