How Long Do Oranges Last?
Whole oranges last 3–4 weeks in the fridge and about 1 week on the counter. Peeled or cut oranges keep 3–4 days refrigerated. Thin-skinned mandarins and clementines last closer to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Oranges — whole
shelf life- Cut: 3–4 days in the fridge
- Fresh, squeezed juice: 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.
Oranges are picked ripe and do not sweeten afterward. Their thick, oily peel and acidic juice protect them well, so they keep for weeks in the cold. At room temperature they slowly dry out, and the blue-green mold that attacks citrus spreads quickly between fruit that touch, especially in a closed bag.
How to store oranges
- Store oranges loose or in a mesh bag in the crisper drawer; a sealed plastic bag traps moisture and encourages mold.
- Take mandarins and clementines out of their net bag or crate, check for damaged ones, and refrigerate them, because one moldy fruit in the box quickly infects the rest.
- Keep a few days' worth in a fruit bowl if you like them at room temperature, where they are juicier to eat, and refrigerate the rest.
- Zest oranges before juicing them and freeze the zest flat in a small bag for baking.
How to tell if oranges have gone bad
- White mold that turns blue-green and powdery, usually starting at a soft spot or the stem end.
- Soft, water-soaked areas on the peel that dent easily.
- Fruit that feels light and hard with a shrunken, leathery peel, meaning the inside has dried out.
- A sour, fermented or musty smell, or segments that taste fizzy or bitter.
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.
Oranges shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole | 3–4 weeks | Not recommended | 1 week |
| Cut | 3–4 days | 4–6 months | Not safe |
| Peeled segments or slices; frozen segments are best used in smoothies. | |||
| Fresh, squeezed juice | 2–3 days | 4–6 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
Do oranges last longer in the fridge?
Yes. Oranges keep 3–4 weeks in the fridge but only about a week at room temperature before they start to dry out or mold. Cold does not harm their flavor. Let them warm up briefly before eating or juicing if you want the most juice.
Can you eat an orange if there is mold on the peel?
It is safer not to. Citrus is soft and juicy, so mold on the peel can extend into the flesh where you cannot see it. Discard the moldy orange, check any fruit it touched, wipe the bowl or drawer, and wash the remaining oranges before peeling.
How long do clementines and mandarins last?
Clementines and mandarins last about 1 week on the counter and up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Their loose, thin skin gives less protection than a navel orange's, so they dry out and mold sooner. Buy the box with firm, glossy fruit and no soft or dusty spots.
How long does fresh-squeezed orange juice keep?
Fresh-squeezed orange juice keeps 2–3 days in a sealed container in the fridge. It is unpasteurized, so it should be kept cold and not left out for more than 2 hours. It can be frozen for 4–6 months; leave headspace in the container for expansion.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Juice Opened |
7–10 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Grapefruit Whole |
3–6 weeks | Not recommended | 1 week |
| Lemons Whole |
3–6 weeks | 3–4 months | 1 week |
| Limes Whole |
3–4 weeks | 3–4 months | 1 week |
| Pomegranate Whole |
1–2 months | Not recommended | 1 week |
| Fruit Salad Homemade |
3–5 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
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.