How long does pumpkin last in the fridge and freezer? If you want to save pumpkin for later, then you are in the right place. Here we are going to tell you everything you need to know about saving pumpkin and pumpkin products for later.
Pumpkin is very rich in vitamin A and C, as well as contains riboflavin and iron. However, to take advantage of all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals of the pumpkin, we must eat it while it is good. Therefore, knowing the shelf life of the pumpkin is essential.
As the pumpkin does not indicate the expiration date, there is always doubt about the time it can be saved. But to help you, in this post we will tell you everything you need to know to store your pumpkins and pumpkin products.
How long does pumpkin last in the fridge and freezer?
If you need to know how long the pumpkin lasts in the refrigerator or freezer, then look at this table with all the information.
| Room Temperature | Fridge | Freezer | |
| Fresh Pumpkin | 3-5 days | 8-12 weeks | Up to 9 months |
| Cooked Pumpkin | Up to 24 hours | Up to 7 days | Up to 6 months |
| Pumpkin Purée | Up to 24 hours | 5-7 days | Up to 3 months |
| Pumpkin soup | Up to 24 hours | 5-7 days | Up to 6 months |
| Pumpkin Pie | Up to 4 hours | 3-4 days | 4-6 months |
| Pumpkin Seeds | 2-3 months | Up to 1 year | Up to 1 year |
When the pumpkin is good and healthy when picked, the pumpkin can last between 8 and 12 weeks in the fridge. Ideally, it should be stored between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. At room temperature (and when opened), it will last only for 3 to 5 days. However, if you keep the whole pumpkin, it can last between 3 to 12 months (when stored in the pantry). When frozen, fresh pumpkin lasts up to 9 months.
Cooked pumpkin can last for up to 7 days when stored correctly in the fridge. You can also save it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
And what about pumpkin purée can, pie, soup, and seeds shelf life?
If we are talking about pumpkin purée can, it can last for 5 to 7 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer (when opened). Pumpkin soup lasts up to 6 months in the freezer. However, its shelf life at room temperature and in the fridge is shorter (just up to 24 hours at room temperature and 5 to 7 days in the fridge).
Pumpkin pie only lasts up to 4 hours at room temperature. However, you can store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.
Pumpkin seeds have a shelf life very long. They can last for 2 to 3 months at room temperature (you should store them in the pantry). If you expect to use these seeds later, you can save them in the fridge or freezer for up to 1 year.
How long does a carved pumpkin last?
Halloween is a festive season awaited by all of us. One of the traditions is to put a carved pumpkin with candles inside at the door of the house. But how long does the pumpkin stay good?
Well, it depends a lot on how you prepared the pumpkin. However, we can say that an average carved pumpkin can last up to 7 days.
If you want to pumpkin last longer, you should follow the following instructions:
- Clean the inside of the pumpkin. The less pumpkin we have inside, the less likely it is to create mold and bacteria.
- Wash the pumpkin with peppermint soap. This soap is excellent for the pumpkin to take longer to degrade.
- The larger the carved holes, the longer the pumpkin will last, as there is greater air circulation.
- When you don’t have the pumpkin outside, store it in the plastic-wrapped fridge.
What’s the best way to store pumpkins?
In the way that your pumpkin lasts longer, you should follow a few guidelines about its storage. For example, if we are talking about unopened pumpkin (fresh or canned), you should store it in a cold dark place. However, if the pumpkin or canned pumpkin has already been opened, you should store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If you already opened a pumpkin and you need it to last longer, then you must freeze it. Use freeze containers or bags to ensure it is preserved.
How to store fresh pumpkin in the fridge?
If you want to keep a fresh pumpkin in the fridge, the best way to do it is to cut the pumpkin into cubes or pieces and then wrap it in cling film. You can leave the pumpkin seeds or not, as it makes no difference in the quality of the pumpkin and the time it will last.
How to buy a pumpkin?
The time to buy the pumpkin is essential to ensure that it will last a long time. First, we must select the heaviest pumpkins. Take each one and notice which ones weigh the most. Then verify if the pumpkin is immaculate and spotless. In addition, the pumpkin stem must be between 2 and 4 inches long. Press the pumpkin and see if it’s firm.
The pumpkin skin should be matt and dull. When the skin is shiny, it means it’s not ripe yet. If the skin has a hazy look, it tells us that the pumpkin is rotting.
Taking all these aspects into account, your pumpkin will be good for longer.
How long can pumpkin purée last in the fridge?
Pumpkin purée lasts 5 to 7 days in the fridge. However, we suggest keeping the pumpkin purée in an airtight container to last longer. If you have more than one container of pumpkin purée, you should date and label each one.
If you want to consume pumpkin purée from the 7th day on, you should check if there are signs of mold and if the smell is annoying. To keep the pumpkin purée longer, then you should store it in the freezer. It’s ok to save it for up to 3 months.
These shelf-life rules are valid for both homemade pumpkin purée and cans of pumpkin purée.
What to do when the canned pumpkin expires?
Although pumpkin purée cans have an expiration date, it only tells us that the manufacturer advises that they be consumed by that day. It doesn’t mean that the canned pumpkin is spoiled the next day.
That is, the date that is written on the can tell us how long the pumpkin is at its maximum, or its best, but does not give us the information that it is safe to eat the canned pumpkin.
Generally, canned products are safe to consume beyond the date on the can. However, before eating or making these products, we should always check if they are good.
How to thaw frozen pumpkin puree?
If you have frozen pumpkin purée and want to use it, you should put the pumpkin purée container in the fridge and leave it overnight. You can also place the container in a bowl of cold (never hot) water for 15 minutes.
To find out if the pumpkin puree is good, watch the color and texture. These must be uniform (in the case of canned pumpkin purée). Another aspect to consider is the smell. The pumpkin is not good when it smells sour and doesn’t smell like pumpkin.
How do you know if the pumpkins are bad or spoiled?
It’s not hard to see when a pumpkin is going bad. We’re starting to realize it’s going bad when the bottom starts to get soft. It also begins to leak a liquid from the pumpkin, indicating that it is not in good condition to eat.
If you have a pumpkin with this description, you should throw it away right now. You mustn’t mix with other foods as they can quickly spoil when in contact with the spoiled pumpkin.
You should also pay attention to other details in the pumpkin to make sure it’s good to eat. See!
- Blemishes – Is pumpkin skin scratched or broken? If so, you should be more careful, as it means the pumpkin will spoil faster. Eliminate areas that are not good and use the remaining pumpkin as fast as you can.
- Brown spots – If the pumpkin has brown spots, it tells us that it is getting spoiled. It will still be possible to use it, but first, you must discard all the damaged parts.
It is important to note that eating spoiled foods can pose risks to our health. Therefore, we should pay close attention when choosing the foods we are going to eat and make sure that they are good and before their shelf life.
How do you know if the pumpkin seeds are going bad?
Pumpkin seeds can also get bad. However, when they are stored correctly, they can last a long time. To find out if the seeds are spoiled, we should look for mold. A bad odor also indicates that the seeds are not good.
As we said, for pumpkin seeds to last longer, we should store them in a cold dry place, preferably in an airtight container or zip lock bag. Keeping them this way, the seeds can last up to 3 months. However, if you want them to last longer, you can store them in the fridge or freezer. In this way, the seeds are good for at least 1 year.
How long does pumpkin last
Ingredients
- Fresh Pumpkin
- Cooked Pumpkin
- Pumpkin Purée
- Pumpkin soup
- Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Seeds
Instructions
How do you know if the pumpkins are bad or spoiled?
- Blemishes – Is pumpkin skin scratched or broken? If so, you should be more careful, as it means the pumpkin will spoil faster. Eliminate areas that are not good and use the remaining pumpkin as fast as you can.
- Brown spots – If the pumpkin has brown spots, it tells us that it is getting spoiled. It will still be possible to use it, but first, you must discard all the damaged parts.
Conclusion:
Pumpkin is very rich in vitamins and minerals. However, if we want to take advantage of them, we must ensure that it is good to eat. Therefore, knowing how long it lasts and knowing how much is spoiled is fundamental to our health. We hope you enjoyed our article “How long does pumpkin last in the fridge?” and we are waiting for you in our next posts.
FAQ
As we said in our article, some indications show us that the pumpkin is getting spoiled. The first sign is when the bottom begins to become soft and when it begins to give a liquid.
Again, as we mentioned above, fresh pumpkin can last for 3 to 5 days at room temperature. However, you can keep it in the fridge for 8 to 12 weeks.
The answer is yes. Wrap it in cling wrap or put it in an airtight container and then place it in the fridge.
Well, it depends! The expiration date of canned pumpkins is very long (3-5 years). And, as we said, this doesn’t mean that pumpkin is not OK if it passes the date written in the can. Usually, it remains safe to use some time after that. So, ensure that canned pumpkin smells and likes good.
Yes! You can freeze raw pumpkins and they will last longer this way. Also, you can freeze cooked pumpkin. However, you must ensure that it is stored in freezer containers.
Although pumpkins last longer in the fridge, they are not eternal. So, the answer is yes.
The whole pumpkin can last 1 year if stored in a cold dry place. So, if you want to keep a pumpkin, make sure it is stored in the pantry.
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Welcome to my food site, RecipesAndPanty.com. I am a man who enjoys creating recipes and researching everything about food. This blog is dedicated to my grandmother because she gave me a taste for cooking.