Carrots are an incredibly adaptable vegetable. They're a key element in soups, pot roasts, salads, and desserts, and you can eat them raw as a snack. But if you aren't storing your carrots correctly, then you're wasting a lot of their potential. Read on to learn the best way to store whole carrots, peeled carrots, and cut carrots, how to tell when carrots are bad, and how to prep carrots for the freezer.
How to Store Carrots
All carrots should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, no matter if they're whole, peeled, unpeeled, or cut:
How to Store Whole Carrots
Whole, unpeeled carrots are less susceptible to moisture loss than peeled or baby carrots. In fact, even rinsing off whole, unpeeled carrots beforehand could cause them to spoil early.
- Don't wash the carrots until you plan to use them. That excess water can speed up the spoiling process.
- Twist or trim off the carrot greens and discard or store in a separate container if you plan to use them. Whether you use them or not, carrot greens suck moisture from the roots (the part we eat) and cause wilting.
- Wrap the carrots in a paper towel and store in an airtight container. Keep carrots in the coolest part of your fridge, and away from fruits that product ethylene gas, such as apples, to prevent spoiling.
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How to Store Peeled Carrots
Hand-peeled carrots and baby carrots have a higher risk of drying out once their protective outer layer is removed. When storing peeled carrots, you'll need to provide moisture to prevent them from cracking, turning white, and drying out. Using this method, peeled carrots will last up to 3 weeks.
- Wash carrots with cool water.
- Add cool water to a dish or airtight container. Add the carrots to the container, making sure they are completely covered with water.
- If you don't plan to eat the carrots within a few days, you will need to periodically change out the water to inhibit bacterial growth. Rinse the carrots and replace the water every 4–5 days.
- Just before eating, rinse the carrots again to remove any potential bacterial growth.
How to Store Cut Carrots
- Run a paper towel in cool water and wrap it around the carrots.
- Place wrapped carrots in an airtight container and place in a colder section of your fridge, such as a crisper drawer or near the freezer.
- Use within 3 weeks.
How Long Do Carrots Last?
A carrot's lifespan depends on how it's stored and what form it's in. When properly stored, raw, unpeeled carrots will last between 3 and 4 weeks in the refrigerator, while peeled or sliced carrots will last between 2 and 3 weeks. Cooked carrots will last between 3 and 5 days properly stored in the refrigerator.
How to Tell if Carrots Are Bad
Carrots that have spoiled or gone bad will usually have an odor, a slimy texture, or dark discoloration. They may also be wilted or soft. If you see mold growing on carrots, throw them out. The white blush that forms on carrots signals that your carrots are drying out. Carrots with white blush can still be eaten; rinse them first to bring some of that moisture back.
How to Freeze Carrots
If you truly have an excess of carrots but don't want it to go to waste, freezing carrots may be your best option. First, you'll need to blanch your carrots in order to preserve their nutrients and taste.
How to Blanch Carrots
- Cut the tops off of your carrots. Wash and peel carrots in lukewarm water.
- Chop or cut carrots however you plan to eat them.
- Boil water in a pot. While you're waiting for the water to boil, fill a bowl with ice water and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add carrots to the boiling water and blanch for 3–5 minutes. Carrot slices will only take a few minutes, while whole carrots will require about 5 minutes.
- With a slotted spoon, remove carrots from the pot and place in the ice water. Chill for the exact same time that you blanched them. Drain the bowl and place the carrots on the parchment-lined tray.
- Pat the carrots dry. Transfer the tray to the freezer until the carrots have frozen solid.
- Remove the tray from the freezer and transfer carrots to a zip-top bag. Squeeze the air out, label the bag, and stash in the freezer. Store for up to a year.
How to Thaw Carrots
Just like with other frozen vegetables, you don't need to thaw frozen carrots, and it's actually easier if you cook them from frozen. If you really want to thaw them, though, there are a few methods:
- In the fridge — Remove carrots from the freezer and relocate to the refrigerator. They will thaw overnight.
- In cold water — For a faster thaw, submerge the bag of frozen carrots in a bowl of cold water. Change out the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Don't leave cooked carrots at temperatures above 40 degrees F for more than two hours; this will increase the likelihood of your carrots turning into a bacterial breeding ground. If you're not ready to use them yet, put them in the fridge.
Related:
- 12 Roasted Carrot Recipes With Tons of Flavor
- Browse All Carrot Recipes
- How to Store Celery to Keep It Fresh Longer
FAQs
To properly store whole, unpeeled carrots, place them in a sealed plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, says Nathan Lyon, chef, cookbook author, and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen on Discovery Health.
What is the best way to store carrots to keep them fresh longer? ›
When stored properly, whole carrots can last for about three to four weeks in the fridge.
- Wrap unpeeled, unwashed carrots in a dry paper towel, and store them in an airtight food storage container or bag.
- Store the container of carrots in the coolest part of your refrigerator.
First, Brown grabs an airtight jar filled with carrots sticks, and adds water to the brim. She claims this method will keep carrots crisp and fresh for over four weeks. Carrots lose their crispness as they lose moisture, so storing these vegetables in water will help prevent dehydration and preserve the crunch.
How do you increase the shelf life of carrots? ›
Whether you use them or not, carrot greens suck moisture from the roots (the part we eat) and cause wilting. Wrap the carrots in a paper towel and store in an airtight container. Keep carrots in the coolest part of your fridge, and away from fruits that product ethylene gas, such as apples, to prevent spoiling.
How do you store carrots in a Ziploc bag? ›
Prep your Ziplock
Now simply fill each bag with about 2lbs of carrots each and seal them up. And that's it! Stored in the fridge ( around 4C or 40F) carrots stored like this should last for months.
Is it better to store carrots with or without tops? ›
Separate the carrot tops from the taproot.
If left intact, the herbaceous carrot tops will draw moisture from the root, drying it out faster.
Why store carrots in water? ›
Once the greens are trimmed off, all you have to do to keep the carrots crisp and fresh is put them in a container of water and store in the refrigerator! Whole carrots stay nice and crunchy in their cold water bath, and this is also a great way to store packaged baby carrots.
How do you make carrots grow longer? ›
Carrot Care. To grow strong, straight carrots, the soil must be loose, deep, well-drained, and moist. Preparing the soil and removing obstacles like rocks and sticks is key. Thinning plants and relentlessly pulling up weeds also go a long way when it comes to growing carrots that are as beautiful as they are tasty.
What is the best way to freeze carrots? ›
Always use carrots that are at the peak of their freshness. If you really don't want to blanch carrots ahead of freezing, you must dice or chop them finely, freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer to a labelled resealable freezer bag, expelling any excess air.
Do bagged carrots need to be refrigerated? ›
You'll have to store your carrots in the refrigerator, but how you store them can actually make a difference. Raw carrots, when properly stored will usually stay fresh for around 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge. If your carrots are sliced or chopped, you can store them in the fridge and they'll last for about 2 to 3 weeks.
Store fresh berries in the refrigerator, but don't rinse them until you're ready to use them. The same goes for carrots. If you buy your carrots in a plastic bag without the greens, leave them in the packaging until ready to use. If the carrots came with their green tops, remove the tops before storing.
Can slimy carrots be washed? ›
I wouldn't think twice about eating a lil' slimy boy. If it bothers you aesthetically, rinse them off under cool water, which should wash away the slime. If the slime does not wash away, you could always disinfect them yourself... or just throw them away.
What is the best way to store carrots and celery? ›
Place cut carrots and celery in jars filled with water to keep them fresh, crisp and easy to grab for up to a week. Or, bring limp carrots back to life by placing them in ice water until crisp. * Save the tops, if any, for carrot top salsa verde.
How do you make cut carrots last longer in the fridge? ›
Cut carrots into your desired size and shape (sticks, coins, chunks). Place the cut carrots in an air tight container (I used a wide-mouth mason jar but any air-tight container you have will work) and cover the carrots with water. Place the lid tightly on your container and store carrots in the fridge.
How do you freeze carrots for long term storage? ›
Always use carrots that are at the peak of their freshness. If you really don't want to blanch carrots ahead of freezing, you must dice or chop them finely, freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer to a labelled resealable freezer bag, expelling any excess air.
How do you store carrot tops long term? ›
The tops should be stored in a separate bag and wrapped with a paper towel to prevent them from becoming soggy. Change out the paper towel every few days to maximize how long you can store your carrot tops.
What is the best way to store carrots in a cold room? ›
Answer: Carrots should be stored with their tops removed in a cold (32°F) and humid (98-100% relative humidity) storage condition. In order to achieve high humidity, you will probably need to store your carrots in a plastic bag.
