Carrots and celery last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 weeks when stored properly, though celery tends to lose its crunch faster than carrots.
If you’ve been wondering how long do carrots and celery last in the fridge, the honest answer depends on how you store them and whether they were fresh when you brought them home.
Carrots are pretty forgiving and can hang out in the crisper drawer for weeks, while celery is a bit more delicate and starts to go limp sooner.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how long carrots and celery last in the fridge, how to store them so they stay fresh longer, and how to tell when they’ve gone bad.
How Long Do Carrots and Celery Last in the Fridge?
Carrots and celery last in the fridge for different amounts of time, so it helps to look at each one separately.
Understanding how long do carrots and celery last in the fridge starts with knowing what each vegetable needs to stay crisp.
1. Carrots Last About 3 to 4 Weeks
Fresh carrots stored in the fridge will typically last 3 to 4 weeks.
If you keep them in a sealed bag or container with a little moisture, they can sometimes stretch to 5 weeks.
Baby carrots, on the other hand, last about 2 to 3 weeks once the bag is opened.
That’s because peeled and cut carrots lose moisture faster than whole ones.
2. Celery Lasts About 1 to 2 Weeks
Celery lasts in the fridge for about 1 to 2 weeks under normal conditions.
If you wrap it in foil or store it in a container with water, celery can last closer to 3 weeks.
The reason celery doesn’t last as long as carrots is that it’s mostly water, so it dries out quickly.
Once celery starts to bend instead of snap, you know it’s on its way out.
3. Cut Carrots and Celery Last Less Time
How long do carrots and celery last in the fridge once they’ve been cut?
Not as long as whole ones, unfortunately.
Cut carrots and celery last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.
They dry out faster and are more exposed to air, which speeds up spoilage.
How to Store Carrots and Celery So They Last Longer
How long carrots and celery last in the fridge also depends on how you store them.
Here are the best ways to keep carrots and celery fresh for as long as possible.
1. Keep Carrots in a Sealed Bag or Container
Carrots do best when stored in a sealed plastic bag or an airtight container.
If they came in a bag with holes, you can leave them in it or transfer them to a zip-top bag.
The key is to keep some moisture in but not so much that they get slimy.
A paper towel placed inside the bag helps absorb extra moisture and keeps carrots fresh longer.
2. Wrap Celery in Aluminum Foil
Wrapping celery tightly in aluminum foil is one of the best tricks for extending its shelf life.
Foil lets ethylene gas escape while keeping moisture in, which keeps celery crisp for weeks.
If you don’t have foil, a plastic bag with a paper towel works too, but it won’t last quite as long.
3. Store Celery in Water for Extra Crunch
If you want celery to stay crunchy, cut the ends and stand the stalks upright in a jar with an inch of water.
This keeps the celery hydrated and can extend how long celery lasts in the fridge by another week or so.
Just change the water every couple of days to keep it fresh.
4. Keep Them in the Crisper Drawer
Both carrots and celery last longer in the crisper drawer than on an open shelf.
The crisper drawer regulates humidity, which helps carrots and celery stay hydrated without getting soggy.
Set the drawer to high humidity for celery and low to medium for carrots.
5. Keep Them Away From Ethylene Producers
Fruits like apples, bananas, and pears release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening and spoilage.
If you store carrots and celery near these fruits, they won’t last as long in the fridge.
Keep them in a separate drawer or on a different shelf to avoid the problem.
Signs Carrots and Celery Have Gone Bad
Knowing how long do carrots and celery last in the fridge also means knowing when to toss them.
Here are the signs that your carrots or celery are past their prime.
1. Carrots Get Slimy or Soft
If your carrots feel slimy or bend easily instead of snapping, they’re past their best.
A little softness is okay and can be fixed by soaking them in cold water, but slime means bacteria has taken over.
Mold or a sour smell is also a clear sign to throw them out.
2. Celery Turns Limp or Brown
Celery that bends instead of snapping is starting to go bad.
You can revive slightly limp celery by soaking the stalks in ice water for 30 minutes.
But if the celery is brown, mushy, or smells off, it’s time to let it go.
3. Look for Mold and Discoloration
Any visible mold, dark spots, or sliminess means your carrots or celery have gone bad.
Don’t try to cut around mold on soft vegetables because the roots can spread deeper than you can see.
When in doubt, throw it out.
So, How Long Do Carrots and Celery Last in the Fridge?
Carrots and celery last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 weeks and 1 to 2 weeks respectively when stored properly.
Carrots hold up longer because they’re denser and lose moisture more slowly, while celery needs a bit more care to stay crisp.
Storing them in sealed bags, foil, or water, and keeping them in the crisper drawer will help you get the most out of both vegetables.
Now that you know how long do carrots and celery last in the fridge, you can plan your meals better and waste less food.