Fridge storage
How long does mint last in the fridge?
About 4 days for mint. 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 it keeps
- Unopened
- 4 to 7 days in a bag with a damp paper towel; stems in water on the counter last about as long Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Mint (opens in a new tab) Our time differs from FoodKeeper, which lists 2 to 3 weeks
- Opened or cut
- Chopped or bruised mint blackens within a day Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.
- Freezer
- About 2 months (60 days) at best quality. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely at 0°F; the time is about texture and flavor. Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Herbs (opens in a new tab)Compare freezer times for other foods on the printable freezer storage chart.
- How to store it
- Trim the stems, stand them in a jar of water and cover loosely; change the water every two days. Freeze whole leaves in ice cubes for drinks, or chopped in oil for cooking.
How to tell if mint has 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 it out at once if you see:
- Slimy or darkened stems
Warning signs (throw it out if you notice more than one):
- Black spots or edges on the leaves
- Flat, dusty smell instead of sharp menthol
- Wilting that water does not fix
Sources and limits
Write the date it went in on the container, and use it within 4 days. Don't wait for a weekly check.
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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