How Long Does Cabbage Last?
A whole head of cabbage lasts 1–2 weeks in the fridge at best quality, and firm green or red heads often keep longer. Cut or shredded cabbage lasts 3–5 days, and cooked cabbage 3–4 days.
Cabbage — whole
shelf life- Cut: 3–5 days in the fridge
- Cooked: 3–4 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.
Cabbage is a dense, tightly layered head in green, red, savoy and napa varieties. The waxy outer leaves act as natural packaging, which makes a whole cabbage one of the longest-keeping fresh vegetables in the fridge. Once it is cut, the exposed edges dry out, turn gray-black and lose vitamin C quickly.
How to store cabbage
- Leave the outer leaves on and store the head unwashed in a plastic bag in the crisper; peel those leaves off only when you are ready to use it.
- Cut off only what you need and wrap the remaining cut face tightly in plastic wrap so it does not dry out and blacken.
- When you come back to a cut head, shave a thin slice off the discolored face and the cabbage underneath will be fresh.
- Frozen cabbage goes soft on thawing, so freeze it only for soups, stir-fries and cabbage rolls, not for slaw.
How to tell if cabbage has gone bad
- Soft, slimy or mushy leaves, particularly if the rot runs several layers deep instead of just the outer wrapper leaf.
- A strong, sharp rotten or ammonia-like smell that is different from the normal sulfur scent of raw cabbage.
- Large black or brown patches, or fuzzy mold, inside the head after you cut it open.
- Shredded cabbage that is wet, slippery and sour-smelling in the bag.
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.
Cabbage shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole | 1–2 weeks | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Looser napa and savoy heads sit at the short end. Blanch wedges or shreds for 90 seconds before freezing. | |||
| Cut | 3–5 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Cooked | 3–4 days | 2–3 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 does a cut half of cabbage last?
A cut half or wedge of cabbage lasts 3–5 days in the fridge when the cut side is wrapped tightly. The edge will gray or darken a little from oxidation; trim a thin slice away before using. Do not leave cut cabbage at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Are the small black dots on my cabbage mold?
Usually not. Tiny pepper-like black specks scattered on the leaves, most common on napa cabbage, are a harmless growing disorder often called pepper spot, and the cabbage is fine to eat. Fuzzy growth, slimy dark areas or spots that smear when rubbed are decay, and that part or the whole head should be discarded.
Can you freeze cabbage?
Yes, cabbage freezes for 8–12 months at best quality if you blanch it first. Cut it into wedges or shreds, blanch 90 seconds for shreds or about 3 minutes for wedges, cool in ice water, drain well and bag. It thaws soft, so use it in cooked dishes.
Does red cabbage last longer than green cabbage?
They keep about the same: both are dense, waxy heads that stay good for 1–2 weeks and often more when stored whole and cold. Napa and savoy cabbage have thinner, looser leaves and wilt sooner, so plan to use those within about a week.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleslaw Prepared |
3–4 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Sauerkraut Opened, refrigerated |
4–6 months | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Kimchi Opened |
3–6 months | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Brussels Sprouts Fresh |
3–5 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Kale Fresh |
5–7 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Lettuce Whole, iceberg or romaine |
1–2 weeks | Not recommended | Not recommended |
More brassicas: Broccoli, Cauliflower.
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.