All About Apricots
Your complete guide to apricots - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Apricots Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for apricots in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
frozen10-12 months
Signs of Spoilage
Significant freezer burn (dry, discolored patches), strong off-flavors or odors after thawing, mushy texture after thawing (due to poor freezing technique or very long storage). While generally safe past this duration, quality degrades.
How to Check
Before thawing, check for excessive freezer burn, which indicates dehydration and can affect texture and flavor. After thawing, smell for any sour or unappetizing odors. The texture may be softer than fresh, but it shouldn't be completely mushy or slimy.
Storage Tips
Wash, pit, and slice apricots. You can optionally blanch them briefly to preserve color and texture. Flash freeze individual pieces on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date.
ripe in fridge3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Dull, brownish or dark spots, very soft and mushy texture, white/green/black mold, sour or fermented smell.
How to Check
Visually check for any visible mold, shriveling, or dark, bruised areas. Gently press the skin; if it feels excessively soft or slimy, it's likely spoiled. A healthy apricot has a sweet, fruity aroma; a sour, off, or alcoholic smell indicates spoilage.
Storage Tips
Store unwashed in a plastic bag or an airtight container in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Washing before storage can introduce moisture, which accelerates spoilage. Wash just before consumption.
unripe at room temperature2-4 days (to ripen)
Signs of Spoilage
Excessive softness, dark spots, mold growth, shriveling without ripening, sour or fermented smell.
How to Check
Visually inspect for any fuzz (mold) or significant discoloration. Gently touch to feel for overly soft, mushy areas. Smell for a sour or alcoholic odor, which indicates fermentation.
Storage Tips
Store in a single layer, out of direct sunlight. To speed up ripening, place in a paper bag with an apple or banana. Once ripe, they should be consumed or moved to the refrigerator.
cut in fridge1-2 days
Signs of Spoilage
Browning of cut surfaces, slimy texture, strong sour or alcoholic smell, visible mold.
How to Check
Observe the cut surfaces for significant browning or a slimy film. Smell for any sourness or off-odors. The texture might become unpleasantly soft or mushy.
Storage Tips
Place cut apricots in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap to minimize exposure to air, which causes oxidation and browning. A squeeze of lemon juice can help prevent browning for a few hours.