How long are carrots good for? (+5 health benefits)
In this article, we will answer the question “How long are carrots good for?”, and how to store carrots to extend their shelf-life?
How long are carrots good for?
Carrots should not be kept near ethylene-producing fruits like apples, bananas, etc. The following table shows the estimated shelf-life of carrots under different storage conditions.
| In the pantry | In the fridge | In the freezer | |
| Raw whole | 3-5 days | 4-5 weeks | 6-9 months |
| Sliced(kept in water) | Unsafe | 6-8 weeks | Not recommended |
| Cooked | Unsafe | 1 week | 6-9 months |
| Baby carrots | 3-5 days | 3-4 weeks | 6-9 months |
| Dehydrated | Up to one year | Unsafe | Not recommended |
How to tell if the carrots have gone bad?
Dried greens
The greens on the top of the carrots will suck the moisture from the carrots leaving them dry, rubbery, and withered. It is important to remove the green tops, blanch the carrots and store them in the fridge or refrigerator for extended shelf-life.
Smell
If the carrots start giving off a strange and unpleasant smell, it is due to rotting. Discard such carrots.
Texture
When the carrots have been sitting in the storage for too long, they start to lose their crisp. The sugars will convert into starch and the loss of moisture will result in a rubbery texture. Such carrots do not peel well and are no fun to eat and should be thrown away.
White spots
The development of white spots on the surface of carrots is an indication of moisture loss. Such carrots can be thrown away for quality reasons because they taste bland and lack juices.
Mold
Immediately get rid of the carrots that have developed black moldy spots on the surface. Eating moldy roots can lead to food poisoning.
How to store carrots?
Pantry
Carrots can be kept in the pantry but make sure the place is dark and dry away from sunlight or heat from the stove.
Cellar
Fill wooden crates or boxes with sand and dump the carrots in them. Keep the boxes stored in the cellar.
Fridge
Carrots can either be stored in the fridge sealed in a plastic bag or wrapped in a plastic sheet. Cut carrots should be lept in cold water in the fridge. Carrots can also be processed into a puree and stored for weeks in the fridge. It can be used for soups, smoothies, or pancake batter.
Dehydration
Shredded carrots are dehydrated in the food dehydrated at 125℉, grind into powder, or stored as-is for a year in sterilized and air-tight jars.
Canning
Whole carrots are washed and peeled. Then they are blanched, processed in a pressure canner for 25 minutes, and stored in a sterilized jar.
Can you freeze carrots?
Carrots can be frozen to extend their shelf-life for up to a year. To freeze store carrots, they need to be blanched first. Lower the carrots in boiling water and let them scald for the required time for blanching. Blanching inactivates the enzymes that continuously degrade the quality of vegetables including carrots after harvesting.
Remove from the water and let them cool off. Peel the carrots and cut or slice them in desired shape and sizes. Toss the carrots in a freezer bag and store them for up to 9 months. Carrots stored in a vacuum bag and kept in the deep freezer will last 12 months. Carrots will be safe to eat beyond this time but won’t taste good.
Health benefits of carrots
Full of nutrients
Carrots are rich in vitamins like Biotin or Vitamin H, Vitamin K1, and Vitamin B6. It is also a good source of Potassium. Other plant compounds like Lutein, lycopene, anthocyanins, alpha carotenes, and polyacetylenes are also present in ample amounts. Some of these plant compounds have powerful antioxidant properties.
Anti-cancerous properties
The rich content of carotenoids in carrots helps in reducing the risk of prostate, colon, and stomach, and breast cancer.
Lowers blood cholesterol
The high amount of soluble fiber present in carrots helps in lowering blood cholesterol which in turn reduces the risk of many heart diseases.
Helps in weight loss
100g portion of carrots provides 41 calories and 2.8g of fiber. The fiber keeps you full for longer and regulates hunger patterns. Therefore, carrots are a great addition to your diet if you are looking out for weight gain.
Improves eyesight
Carrots are rich in vitamin A and carotenoids. They reduce the risk of night blindness which is caused by the deficiency of Vitamin A. the carotenoids in carrots reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
Other FAQs about Carrots that you may be interested in.
How long do baby carrots last?
How can you tell if carrots are bad?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How long are carrots good for?”, and how to store carrots to extend their shelf-life?
