How long do carrots last?
In the fridge, carrots keep for 2 to 3 weeks from the package date. All 2 kinds are below.
Where these times come from. USDA FoodKeeper has no entry named "carrots". The 2 kinds on this page are the USDA entries that cover carrots, copied without change from Carrots, parsnips and Baby carrots. Each row in the table is one USDA entry; pick the one that matches what you have.
No guideline
2 to 3 weeks
from the package date
No guideline
By kind
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| whole carrots | no guideline | 2 to 3 weeks | no guideline | 10 to 12 months |
| baby carrots | 4 days | 4 weeks | no guideline | 3 months |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
Do carrots go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, carrots may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell carrots have gone bad
General signs for produce: fresh vegetables, the group USDA lists carrots 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.
How long do other produce: fresh vegetables last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.