Fridge storage
How long does thyme last in the fridge?
About 10 days for thyme. 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
- 10 to 14 days wrapped in a barely damp paper towel inside a bag Source: USDA FoodKeeper: Thyme (opens in a new tab)
- Opened or cut
- Stripped leaves hold 3 to 4 days 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
- Damp paper towel, loose bag, crisper drawer: woody herbs like thyme and rosemary hate sitting in water. Freeze whole sprigs in a bag; the leaves strip off easily while frozen.
How to tell if thyme 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 stems
Warning signs (throw it out if you notice more than one):
- Black or dark brown leaves
- Leaves dropping off the stem at a touch
- No smell when rubbed
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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