FoodKeeper-based refrigerated planning reference
How long does thyme last in the fridge?
Well Stockd’s curated reference uses about 10 days refrigerated for thyme, assuming a refrigerator kept at 40°F (4°C) or below. This is a planning estimate drawn from the app’s FoodKeeper/FSIS-based catalog, not a package date or a safety guarantee.
Unopened, opened, and frozen
The single fridge number above is a planning figure. Most of the questions people actually ask about thyme turn on whether the package has been opened, so those windows are listed separately here.
- Unopened
- 10 to 14 days wrapped in a barely damp paper towel inside a bag
- Opened or cut
- Stripped leaves hold 3 to 4 days
- Freezer
- About 180 days at best quality. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely at 0°F; the window is about texture and flavour.
- 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. When more than one of these is present, throw it out rather than tasting to find out.
- Black or dark brown leaves
- Slimy stems
- Leaves dropping off the stem at a touch
- No smell when rubbed
How to use this window
Record when the item entered your kitchen and check it during your regular weekly inventory review.
Well Stockd does not know when this food was harvested, packed, purchased, opened, prepared, or moved between storage locations. Record the relevant opened, prepared, or refrigerated date, follow package directions, keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below, and use the official item listing when food safety is in question.
Primary sources and limits
The repository catalog identifies USDA FoodKeeper and FSIS typical refrigerated storage guidance as its source. FoodKeeper explains that storage times are guidelines and that actual quality varies with growing, handling, distribution, and storage conditions.