Produce
How long do lemons and oranges last?
Lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit go 10 days in a bowl on the counter or 10–21 days in the fridge — the fridge roughly doubles it, the counter gives you more juice.
How long does it keep?
| Pantry, from purchase | 10 days |
|---|---|
| Fridge, from purchase | 10–21 days |
| Freezer | Not recommended |
Can you freeze lemons & limes? FREEZES, BUT… →
Can it sit out?
Citrus fruit is shelf-stable, so sitting out at room temperature isn’t the safety question — storage time is.
How to tell if citrus fruit has gone bad
- Powdery blue-green mold at the stem end
- A soft, water-soaked patch under the peel
- Fruit gone light and hollow-feeling for its size
- A fermented smell coming through the skin
When in doubt, throw it out.
Roll a cold lemon hard under your palm before juicing — chilled fruit gives up far less than a warm one.
Quick answers
How long do lemons and oranges last?
Lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit go 10 days in a bowl on the counter or 10–21 days in the fridge — the fridge roughly doubles it, the counter gives you more juice.
Can you freeze citrus fruit?
Don’t freeze whole lemons and limes — freeze the juice and the zest instead, and you will never buy a lemon for one teaspoon again.
How long can citrus fruit sit out?
Sitting out at room temperature isn’t the safety question for citrus fruit — storage time is.