How Long Do Apricots Last?
Ripe apricots last 3–5 days in the fridge and 1–2 days on the counter. Firm apricots soften in 1–3 days at room temperature. Halved and pitted, they freeze well for 8–12 months.
Apricots — ripe
shelf life- Unripe: 1–3 days in the pantry
- Cut: 2–3 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Fresh apricots are small, velvety stone fruit with a short season and an even shorter shelf life. They are delicate, low in acid compared with plums and bruise at the slightest pressure. Apricots soften and color after picking but gain little sweetness, so fruit that was picked too green stays bland.
How to store apricots
- Buy apricots that are already golden orange with no green tinge; pale yellow or greenish fruit will soften at home but never develop full flavor.
- Ripen firm apricots in a paper bag at room temperature and check them twice a day, because they go from firm to overripe very quickly.
- Store ripe apricots in the fridge in a shallow container in one layer, since even light stacking leaves soft brown bruises.
- Halve and pit apricots before freezing, and dip the halves in lemon juice or an ascorbic acid solution to keep the cut faces from browning.
How to tell if apricots have gone bad
- Flesh that is mushy, translucent or brown, often starting around the pit.
- Shriveled skin with soft, sunken patches.
- White or blue-green mold at the stem end or along the seam.
- A sour or fermented smell in place of the normal floral, honeyed scent.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Apricots shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripe | 3–5 days | Not recommended | 1–2 days |
| Unripe | Not recommended | Not recommended | 1–3 days |
| Pantry time is how long softening takes; refrigerate once the fruit yields to gentle pressure. | |||
| Cut | 2–3 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
How long do fresh apricots last?
Ripe apricots last 3–5 days in the fridge and only 1–2 days at room temperature. Firm apricots need 1–3 days on the counter first. Because the season is short and the fruit is fragile, plan to eat them within a few days of buying or freeze the surplus.
Will apricots ripen after they are picked?
Partly. Apricots soften and turn deeper orange at room temperature, but they do not get much sweeter after harvest. Fruit with any green on it was picked too early and will end up soft but bland. Such apricots are better poached, roasted or made into jam.
Can you freeze fresh apricots?
Yes. Halve and pit them, treat the cut surfaces with lemon juice, and freeze on a tray before bagging. They hold best quality for 8–12 months. Leaving the skins on is fine for baking, though they can toughen slightly in the freezer.
Are apricot pits safe to eat?
No. Do not eat the kernels inside apricot pits. They contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide during digestion, and food safety agencies warn against eating them. Discard the pits, and do not crack them open when making jam or preserves.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peaches Ripe |
3–5 days | Not recommended | 1–2 days |
| Plums Ripe |
3–5 days | Not recommended | 1–2 days |
| Cherries Fresh |
4–7 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Dried Fruit Opened |
6 months | 1 year | 1–3 months |
| Jam & Jelly Opened |
6 months | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Mango Ripe |
5–7 days | Not recommended | 1–2 days |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.