How Long Do Pumpkins Last?

How long do pumpkins last? Pumpkins are one variety of winter squash. They are a great sources of vitamins A and C, iron and riboflavin if consumed (and provide a lovely decoration for Halloween if not!). The shelf life of pumpkin is tricky because there is no sell by date, use by date or even a best before date attached anywhere to the squash. For eat by date purposes, the sell by date is the date that they were purchased.

So, how long do pumpkins last past their sell by date? When properly stored, the shelf life of pumpkin past its date purchased is approximately...

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Pumpkins Expiration Date

Unopened Counter Refrigerator
Fresh Pumpkins last for 2-3 Months 3-5 Months
Canned Pumpkin lasts for 1-2 Years 1-2 Years
Opened Refrigerator Freezer
Fresh Cut Pumpkins last for 2-3 Days 6-8 Months
Cooked Pumpkin lasts for 7 Days 6-8 Months
Canned Pumpkin lasts for 7 Days 3-5 Months
Pumpkin Pie lasts for 3-4 Days 4-6 Months

Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly.

How to tell if Pumpkins are bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

When a pumpkin goes bad, it will first begin to get soft on the bottom and then start leaking liquid. This is followed very quickly by mold in multiple colors, please throw it out before it gets to this point! They degrade very fast once they begin to get soft. If you've turned your pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern, expect it to begin this process in 3-5 days from the point that it was stabbed. So, if you want your pumpkin to last longer, paint a face on it instead because a cut pumpkin won't last that long.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Pumpkins to extend their shelf life?

Unopened pumpkin, fresh or canned, keeps great in a cool dark place like the pantry.

Once opened, pumpkin will keep best in an airtight container in the fridge.

Likewise, a jack-o-lantern will thrive better outside in cooler environments.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long are Pumpkins good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do pumpkins last? That depends. How long does pie crust last? In general, foods will only last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the prepared dish. In the case of pie, the liquid from the filling will make the pie crust soggy and undesirable.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Pumpkins lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Pumpkins.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Pumpkins shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!

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With oven-safe glass and water-tight lids, these food storage containers are ready for action! Not a Prime Member? Try a 30-day free trial today!

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