DecodedGuides

How long does corn on the cob last?

Corn on the cob keeps for 1 to 2 days in the fridge, up to 8 months in the freezer. Times are USDA FoodKeeper quality guidelines from the point of purchase unless noted.

Pantry

No guideline

Fridge

1 to 2 days

from the package date

Freezer

8 months

best quality within

How to tell corn on the cob has gone bad

General signs for produce: fresh vegetables, the group USDA lists corn on the cob 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.