Produce
How long does garlic last in the pantry?
A head of garlic keeps 1 month in a dry pantry and USDA gives the fridge only 3–14 days — so the counter really is the right home for it.
How long does it keep?
| Pantry, from purchase | 1 month |
|---|---|
| Fridge, from purchase | 3–14 days |
| Freezer, from purchase | 1 month |
Can you freeze garlic? YES, FREEZE IT →
Can it sit out?
Garlic is shelf-stable, so sitting out at room temperature isn’t the safety question — storage time is.
How to tell if garlic has gone bad
- Green shoots pushing up out of the cloves
- Cloves gone soft, gray or hollow inside the skin
- Dusty blue-green mold in the papery layers
- A sour, sharp smell instead of the clean garlic one
When in doubt, throw it out.
A sprouted clove is still fine to cook with — halve it and lift the green germ out if the bitterness bothers you.
Quick answers
How long does garlic last in the pantry?
A head of garlic keeps 1 month in a dry pantry and USDA gives the fridge only 3–14 days — so the counter really is the right home for it.
Can you freeze garlic?
Garlic freezes well whole, peeled, or minced — though USDA gives it only 1 month in the freezer, the same as the pantry basket.
How long can garlic sit out?
Sitting out at room temperature isn’t the safety question for garlic — storage time is.