How long does corn last?
Corn keeps for 1 to 2 days in the fridge, up to 8 months in the freezer. USDA lists 2 kinds of corn; the first is shown here and all are in the table below.
Where these times come from. USDA FoodKeeper has no entry named "corn". The 2 kinds on this page are the USDA entries that cover corn, copied without change from Corn on the cob and Canned goods. Each row in the table is one USDA entry; pick the one that matches what you have.
fresh, on the cob
No guideline
1 to 2 days
from the package date
8 months
best quality within
All kinds of corn, side by side
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fresh, on the cob | no guideline | 1 to 2 days | no guideline | 8 months |
| canned | 2 to 5 years | no guideline | 3 to 4 days | no guideline |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
- canned: Canned items will be safe to eat well past the ‘use-by’ or ‘best by’ date as long as the can shows no dents, rust, or swelling.
How to tell corn has gone bad
General signs for produce: fresh vegetables, the group USDA lists corn 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.