How Long Does Cucumber Last In The Fridge? Find out
Introduction
If you’ve got a fresh cucumber and you’ve just put it in the fridge, you might be wondering How Long Does Cucumber Last In The Fridge? Figuring this out will help you determine how quickly you need to use it to avoid it going off.
A fresh cucumber that hasn’t been cut will usually last for a week to 2 weeks in the fridge. Cucumbers that are wrapped in plastic wrap will generally last better than cucumbers that are left unwrapped. Cut cucumbers will usually only last for a few days in the fridge.
Let’s check out more about storing cucumbers in the fridge and how long they should last.
How Long Do Cucumbers Last In The Fridge?
Most fresh cucumbers will last for around 1 week in the fridge, but really fresh ones will sometimes last for 2 weeks. Cucumbers that are unopened and covered in their plastic wrap will generally last better, because this prevents moisture loss.
An opened cucumber will often only last for a few days, because you won’t be able to effectively prevent moisture loss, and because the cut end is vulnerable to bacteria growth. You will find that it quickly loses its crispness and becomes soggy.
The uncut parts of the cucumber may still be good, so sometimes you can simply cut away the part that has gone soggy and use the rest, but be aware that cut cucumbers don’t keep very well, no matter how you store them.
Slices of cucumber will often only last for about a day in the fridge before they become limp and unappetizing. It’s best not to slice a cucumber until you are ready to eat it. Keep your cucumber as whole as possible to make it last well.
How Do You Store Cucumbers In The Fridge?
It’s a good idea to put cucumbers somewhere near the middle of your fridge, rather than in the crisper drawer. A lot of people automatically toss them down here, but you should try not to. The crisper drawer is generally a little too cold for a cucumber, and it won’t last very well in there.
It’s also important to think about what your cucumber is wrapped in. Naked cucumbers don’t last brilliantly well, as they tend to dry out too quickly. Cucumbers are around 96% water, and if they start losing that moisture to the air, they’ll go soft and limp, which will lead to decay.
However, you don’t want too much moisture, or bacteria will start to grow. Getting the balance right is hard. If your cucumber was wrapped in plastic by the store you bought it from, leaving this in place is usually the best option, as it has been created to provide optimal storage conditions for the cucumber.
If your cucumber is not wrapped, you can wrap it yourself to extend its longevity. To do this, you should use a paper bag, some plastic wrap, kitchen towels, or foil. Each has different pros and cons, but all will help the cucumber to last longer.
If you use paper, make sure you swap it for new paper if it gets too damp. If you use a plastic bag, make sure you leave a small gap so that there is still airflow. Without this, the cucumber will start to rot quickly.
Some people recommend giving a cucumber an additional layer of protection by placing it in an airtight box. However, this can reduce the airflow too much, and sometimes causes faster rotting. Experiment with the different storage methods and find out which works best for your fridge’s unique conditions.
How Do You Store Sliced Cucumbers In The Fridge?
If you do want to store sliced cucumbers in the fridge, you have a few options. One is to wrap them in damp paper towels, so they are completely covered, and cannot lose much moisture.
Another is to place them in an airtight container with a dry paper towel. This will absorb excess moisture, while the lidded container will prevent too much moisture loss.
Even with these methods, aim to use the sliced cucumber up within 1 or 2 days.
You can find a lot more articles on our website in addition to this one like Do Beef Sticks Need To Be Refrigerated?, Do Beets Need To Be Refrigerated? and Do Bell Peppers Need To Be Refrigerated?
Conclusion
Uncut cucumbers can last for as long as 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge. Cut cucumbers will start to deteriorate from the cut end, and should be used up more quickly, often in around 5 days. Sliced cucumbers will often only last about few days in the fridge.
