How long do oranges last?

Checked 25 Oct 20264 official publishers, 7 sources

Whole oranges: 10-21 days in the fridge, freezing is not recommended and 10 days in the pantry.

Storage times for oranges by state and place
StatePantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Whole oranges 10 days FoodKeeper Extension 10-21 days FoodKeeper Extension Not recommended FoodKeeper Sources disagree: 4-6 months Extension
Orange juice, carton, unopened Not stated Not stated 8-12 months best quality FoodKeeper
Orange juice, carton, opened Not stated 7-10 days FoodKeeper Not stated
Orange juice, frozen concentrate Not stated Not stated 12 months best quality FoodKeeper
Orange juice, fresh squeezed Not stated 2-3 days FoodKeeper 2-3 weeks best quality FoodKeeper
Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

SourceStatePantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Whole oranges10 days10-21 daysNot recommended
Nebraska ExtensionWhole oranges10 days10-21 days4-6 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Orange juice, carton, unopened--8-12 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Orange juice, carton, opened-7-10 days-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Orange juice, frozen concentrate--12 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Orange juice, fresh squeezed-2-3 days2-3 weeks

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

  • Good for 1 week after date on package. FoodKeeper
  • After prepared for drinking, good for up to 1 week. FoodKeeper
  • “Select firm, tree-ripened fruit heavy for its size and free from soft spots. Wash and peel. ... Slice oranges if desired.” Extension
  • “oranges only ripen on trees. However, they may peel easier after sitting for a few days at room temperature” Extension
  • “Citrus Fruits: Oranges, Lemons, Limes ... These fruits are best stored in the refrigerator shortly after harvesting” Extension

What the sources say

Oranges share a FoodKeeper citrus entry with lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerines and clementines, and the Nebraska Extension chart has a citrus fruits row that names orange first.12

Both give whole oranges 10 days in the pantry and 10 to 21 days in the refrigerator.12

They part ways on the freezer: FoodKeeper does not recommend freezing whole citrus fruit, while the Nebraska chart lists 4 to 6 months for freezing citrus fruits.12

The National Center for Home Food Preservation freezes citrus as sections, starting with firm, tree-ripened fruit that is heavy for its size and free from soft spots, washed, peeled and cleared of membranes and seeds.6

It adds that oranges can be sliced if desired.6

Answering a reader, Iowa State University Extension explains that oranges only ripen on trees, though they may peel more easily after a few days at room temperature.7

That rest gives the pith, the white part between the skin and fruit, time to pull back a little from the skin.7

Its storage advice for oranges and other citrus is the refrigerator shortly after harvesting.7

Orange juice has three FoodKeeper entries, and their times are far apart.345

A commercially packaged carton is good for 1 week after the date on the package, keeps 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator once opened, and lasts 8 to 12 months in the freezer.3

Commercially frozen concentrate keeps 12 months in the freezer and is good for up to 1 week after it is prepared for drinking.4

Freshly squeezed orange juice has the shortest times of the three, 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator and 2 to 3 weeks in the freezer.5

Rules that apply here

Fridge and freezer temperatureFreezing and refreezing
LemonsBananasAvocados

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 256: Citrus fruit, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, tangerines, clementines. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Citrus fruit, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, tangerines, clementines. DOP_Pantry: 10 Days; DOP_Refrigerate: 10-21 Days; Freeze: Not Recommended
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Citrus fruits - orange, grapefruit, clementines, etc. 10 daysCitrus fruits - orange, grapefruit, clementines, etc. 10 days 10 to 21 daysCitrus fruits - orange, grapefruit, clementines, etc. 10 days 10 to 21 days 4 to 6 months (freezing citrus fruits)
  3. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 455: Orange juice, commercially packaged carton. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Orange juice, commercially packaged carton. Refrigerate: - (Good for 1 week after date on package.); Refrigerate_After_Opening: 7-10 Days; DOP_Freeze: 8-12 Months
  4. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 456: Orange juice, commercially frozen concentrate. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Orange juice, commercially frozen concentrate. Refrigerate: - (After prepared for drinking, good for up to 1 week.); DOP_Freeze: 12 Months
  5. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 457: Orange juice, freshly squeezed. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Orange juice, freshly squeezed. Refrigerate: 2-3 Days; Freeze: 2-3 Weeks
  6. Freezing Citrus Fruits - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. Select firm, tree-ripened fruit heavy for its size and free from soft spots. Wash and peel. ... Slice oranges if desired.
  7. Ripening and Storing Fruit • AnswerLine • Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Iowa State University Extension (AnswerLine). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. oranges only ripen on trees. However, they may peel easier after sitting for a few days at room temperatureCitrus Fruits: Oranges, Lemons, Limes ... These fruits are best stored in the refrigerator shortly after harvesting
  8. REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.