How Long Does Orange Juice Last?
Opened orange juice lasts 7–10 days in the fridge. Fresh-squeezed juice keeps only 2–3 days. Unopened refrigerated cartons are good until the printed date, and shelf-stable juice keeps about 1 year in the pantry.
Orange Juice — opened
shelf life- Unopened, refrigerated: 1–2 weeks in the fridge
- Fresh: 2–3 days in the fridge
- Unopened, shelf-stable: 1 year 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.
Orange juice is sold three ways: pasteurized and refrigerated in cartons, shelf-stable in bottles, boxes or frozen concentrate, and fresh-squeezed with no heat treatment. Its acidity holds back most harmful bacteria, so opened juice usually spoils by fermenting, as yeasts turn the sugar into gas and alcohol. Unpasteurized juice is the riskier exception.
How to store orange juice
- Keep the carton on a shelf in the body of the fridge, not in the door, where the temperature swings each time it opens.
- Pour juice into a glass rather than drinking from the carton; mouth bacteria and yeasts shorten its life by days.
- Freeze juice in a container with at least an inch of headspace, since it expands, and shake it well after thawing because the pulp and water separate.
- Store fresh-squeezed juice in a full, tightly capped glass jar to limit the air that dulls its flavor.
How to tell if orange juice has gone bad
- A carton that has swollen or puffed up, or a cap that hisses when opened, shows the juice is fermenting.
- A fizzy, tingling feel on the tongue, or a sour, wine-like or vinegary smell.
- A darker, brownish color compared with when it was opened.
- Mold around the spout, under the cap or floating on the surface.
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.
Orange Juice shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Pasteurized juice of any kind, including shelf-stable juice once the seal is broken. | |||
| Unopened, refrigerated | 1–2 weeks | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Typical window from purchase; the printed date governs. Sold cold means store cold. | |||
| Fresh | 2–3 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Fresh-squeezed and unpasteurized. Flavor and vitamin C fall off noticeably after the first day. | |||
| Unopened, shelf-stable | 1 year | Not recommended | 1 year |
| Bottles, cans and juice boxes sold off the shelf; best by the printed date. | |||
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
Can you drink orange juice after the expiration date?
Unopened, pasteurized refrigerated juice is often still fine for several days past its date if it has been kept cold, but that is a quality call, not a guarantee. Once opened, the 7–10 day clock matters more than the printed date. A bulging carton, fizz or a fermented smell means it should be poured out.
Is orange juice left out overnight safe to drink?
It is best to pour it out. Refrigerated juice should not sit out for more than 2 hours. Acidity makes orange juice lower-risk than milk, but warm juice ferments quickly and the 2-hour rule still applies, especially for fresh-squeezed juice and for anything served to children, older adults or pregnant women.
Is unpasteurized orange juice safe?
It carries more risk than pasteurized juice. The FDA requires untreated juice sold in stores to carry a warning label, because raw juice has caused outbreaks of E. coli and Salmonella infection. Healthy adults often drink it without trouble, but children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weak immune systems should choose pasteurized juice.
Can you freeze orange juice?
Yes, orange juice freezes well for 8–12 months. Leave headspace in the container, or freeze it in ice cube trays for smoothies. Thaw it in the fridge and shake or stir it hard, because it separates. Pulp-free juice comes through freezing with the least change in texture.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oranges Whole |
3–4 weeks | Not recommended | 1 week |
| Apple Juice Opened |
7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Lemonade Homemade |
5–7 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Smoothies Homemade |
1–2 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Grapefruit Whole |
3–6 weeks | Not recommended | 1 week |
| Champagne & Sparkling Wine Opened |
1–3 days | Not recommended | Not recommended |
More juice: Coconut Water.
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.