How Long Do Beets Last?
Raw beets with the tops removed last about 2 weeks in the fridge. Beet greens last only 2–3 days. Cooked beets keep 3–4 days refrigerated or 8–12 months in the freezer.
Beets — raw
shelf life- Cooked: 3–4 days in the fridge
- Fresh, greens: 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.
Beets are dense, sugary roots sold in bunches with their leafy tops or trimmed and loose. The root keeps well in the cold, but the attached greens wilt within days and pull moisture from the root while they do. Vacuum-packed cooked beets from the produce section are a separate product with their own printed date.
How to store beets
- Cut the greens off when you get home, leaving about an inch of stem on the root so it does not bleed, and store roots and greens in separate bags.
- Keep the roots unwashed in a plastic bag in the crisper. Do not trim the tail or peel them until after cooking, or the color leaks out.
- Cook a whole bunch at once: roast or boil with the skins on, slip the skins off when cool, and keep them in the fridge to use over 3–4 days.
- To freeze, cook until tender, cool, peel, then slice or cube and pack in freezer bags.
How to tell if beets have gone bad
- A root that is soft, spongy or wrinkled instead of rock-hard.
- Wet, slimy or moldy areas, often at the stem end or the taproot tip.
- Cooked beets with a slippery film, a sour or fermented smell, or bubbling liquid in the container.
- A swollen or leaking pack of store-bought vacuum-sealed cooked beets.
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.
Beets shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | 2 weeks | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Roots with greens cut off. Beets should be cooked before freezing; frozen raw, they turn grainy. | |||
| Cooked | 3–4 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Also applies to vacuum-packed cooked beets once the pack is opened. | |||
| Fresh, greens | 2–3 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Blanch greens for 2 minutes before freezing. | |||
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 vacuum-packed cooked beets last?
Unopened vacuum-packed cooked beets last until the use-by date on the pack when kept refrigerated, often several weeks. After opening, move leftovers to a covered container and use them within 3–4 days. Do not use a pack that is puffed up or leaking.
Can you eat beet greens, and how long do they keep?
Yes, beet greens are edible and cook like chard or spinach, but they only last 2–3 days in the fridge. Separate them from the roots, wrap them in a paper towel inside a bag, and wash them right before cooking. Discard greens that are yellow, slimy or smelly.
Is a soft beet still okay to use?
A beet that is slightly soft or a little wrinkled has lost moisture and can still be roasted or boiled, provided there is no mold, slime or bad smell. A beet that is very soft, mushy or leaking is rotting and should be thrown out.
Why is my urine or stool red after eating beets?
Beet pigment, called betanin, passes through some people undigested and turns urine or stool pink or red for a day or two. It is harmless and unrelated to freshness. It is worth knowing about so it is not mistaken for blood; see a doctor if the color continues without beets in your diet.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrots Whole |
3–4 weeks | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Radishes Whole |
1–2 weeks | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Sweet Potatoes Raw |
Not recommended | Not recommended | 2–3 weeks |
| Spinach Fresh |
3–7 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Pickles Opened |
1–3 months | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Cooked Vegetables Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
More roots & tubers: Ginger, Potatoes.
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.