How long does basil last?
Basil keeps for 12 months in the pantry. USDA lists 2 kinds of basil; the first is shown here and all are in the table below.
dried
12 months
from purchase
No guideline
No guideline
All kinds of basil, side by side
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dried | 12 months | no guideline | no guideline | no guideline |
| fresh | 5 days | 10 days | no guideline | no guideline |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
- fresh: Keep stems in water. Will start to discolor.
How to tell basil has gone bad
General signs for produce: fresh vegetables, the group USDA lists basil under.
- Slimy, wet leaves on greens that were crisp before
- Soft or mushy spots on vegetables that were firm
- Sprouting or wrinkled skin on potatoes and onions
- Mould, often white or fuzzy, near the stem or cut end
- Sour or off smell replacing a vegetable's usual earthy scent
More on produce: fresh vegetables. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Store leafy greens loosely wrapped in the crisper drawer, ideally with a paper towel to absorb extra moisture. Keep potatoes, onions and garlic in a cool, dark, dry place outside the fridge, and store potatoes away from onions since they spoil each other faster. Trim and wash vegetables just before cooking.
More in produce: fresh vegetables
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.