As a strong source of gut-friendly fiber as well as eye health and immune system -supporting vitamin A—not to mention earthy-sweet flavor and a delightfully crunchy texture—carrots are one of the most versatile vegetables in the supermarket. (Or, if you’re lucky, your vegetable garden !) Whether you pick them from the ground or from the shelf at the grocery store, do you know how to store carrots to keep them crisp and fresh for as long as possible?
Ahead, experts give us the dirt about how to store carrots in the refrigerator and freezer. Plus, score a tip about how to revive limp carrots if they’re looking a little tired.
Randy Davidson , a Wenatchee, Washington-based produce field inspector for Whole Foods Market
How to Store Carrots
Just a few decades ago, you could buy canned and frozen carrots, but probably only had one choice in the fresh produce aisle: whole carrots. These days, options abound. You can buy carrot chips, baby carrots, carrot sticks, shredded carrots, whole carrots without the tops, or whole carrots with the tops.
Tips
Test Kitchen Tip: If you grow or buy carrots, opt for the tops. It makes for a flavorful addition to pesto , salads, or soups.
The best method for how to store carrots varies by type, so we’ll dive into specific categories below. Regardless of which type of carrot you have on-hand, though, it’s important to “store carrots away from ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, avocados, pears, peaches, and broccoli, because the ethylene will accelerate the aging process in carrots,” says Randy Davidson, a Wenatchee, Washington-based produce field inspector for Whole Foods Market. (For more about the science behind this, check out our guide to fruits and vegetables you should never store together .)
Aim for about 8 to 12 inches of separation, adds Sarah Brekke, M.S., Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen brand manager, or keep them in a separate crisper drawer .
How to Store Whole Carrots
“Whole carrots will last the longest when unpeeled with the greens removed,” Davidson says.
When you bring fresh carrots into your kitchen, trim off any greens (to compost or save for alternative uses), then keep them whole and unpeeled. Wrap the carrots in a paper towel to help absorb any moisture, transfer your unwashed carrots to an airtight container or zip-top bag, and store in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer.
Wash whole carrots just before using since “the added moisture on the skin of the carrots can promote mold and bacterial growth and shorten the shelf-life of the veggie,” Brekke says.
Once peeled, “carrots are susceptible to moisture loss so they need to be stored in a different way. Place carrots in an airtight container and fill it with cool water until the carrots are submerged. Transfer the container to the refrigerator, dumping and refreshing the water in the container every 5 days or so,” Brekke advises.
How to Store Baby Carrots, Shredded Carrots, or Carrot Sticks
Whether you buy them pre-shredded or sliced into sticks or DIY, the best way to store any of these types of carrots is in an airtight container lined with damp paper towels, Brekke says. Refrigerate the container, checking in on it every day or two.
To reduce the risk of moisture loss that can lead to dehydrated carrots, “remove any dehydrated pieces as soon as possible, and replace the damp paper towel every few days,” Brekke adds.
Our No. 1 Trick to Resuscitate Tired Carrots
If your carrots—whole, baby, or cut—do end up drying out a bit or looking a little less crisp than immediately post-shopping run or harvest, Davidson says that he and his Whole Foods Market produce pals swear by this pro tip: “If carrots seem to have lost their ‘snap’ or crispness, submerge them in cool water and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour, and they should firm back up.”
Still, carrots can be past the point of saving. It’s time to discard your carrots if they have any of the following signs of spoilage, Brekke and Davidson agree:
Mold growth
An “off” aroma
Dark spots
A flabby, slimy, or mush texture
How Long Do Carrots Last?
If you follow these techniques for how to store carrots, you should expect your root veggies to last:
Craving more time to make the most of your haul? Great news: You can absolutely freeze carrots to enjoy later. Frozen carrots work well as an addition to casseroles, soups, stews, pot pies, and stuffing recipes.
“It’s best to clean and peel the carrots first. For optimal texture, and to retain more nutrients, color, and flavor, we recommend blanching the carrots prior to freezing,” Davidson says.
Brekke walks us through how to blanch carrots in preparation for freezing:
Wash, scrub, and peel (if desired) your carrots, then slice, dice, or shred them depending on your end use.
Bring a pot of water to boil and prepare a large bowl of ice water.
Place your prepared carrots in the boiling water, and cook for 2 to 4 minutes. (Err on the shorter side for smaller and thinner pieces.)
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the blanched carrot pieces to the ice water bath.
Chill for the same amount of time they were boiled, then drain in a colander.
Spread the cooled and drained carrots on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for 3 to 5 hours, or until frozen solid.
Transfer the frozen carrot pieces to a zip-top bag or airtight container.
Label with the date and freeze for up to 12 months.
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