You bought a pineapple or two, and you’re wondering how many days you can store them before they spoil. How long do pineapples last?
Or maybe yours sits in storage for a couple of days already, and you’re wondering how to tell if yours is bad.
Sounds familiar?
If so, this article is for you. In it, we talk about:
- storing pineapples (and if freezing them is a good idea)
- shelf life of a pineapple depending on where you store it
- signs that your pineapple is spoiled
Let’s dig in.
How to Store Pineapples
Main article: How to store pineapple?
To make sure your fresh pineapples last as long as they can, let’s begin with picking up the right ones.
Start by checking if it’s free from soft spots and bruises. Next, take a look at the leaves. They should be green and fresh, not losing color and drying out.
Sometimes pineapples are sold without the top, and that’s quite normal. The growers often cut out the crown right after harvesting so they can plant it for the next batch to grow.
While pineapples are most often sold in the not-refrigerated section of the store, room temperature isn’t ideal for them.
You should store pineapples at room temperature in the pantry or on the countertop only if you plan on consuming them within two days or so. Extended storage in such conditions will result in quality degradation, and possibly in rot setting in after a few more days.
As you probably know, the fridge is where you should keep the pineapple. You can put it in the crisper drawer in the plastic bag you brought it in, but make sure the fruit can breathe.
Despite its looks, a pineapple is easily bruised, so don’t put anything on top of it.
When it comes to pineapple slices and chunks, the story is quite similar.
You should put the cut pineapples in an airtight container or a freezer bag, and then in the fridge. If you’re using the bag, squeeze as much air out of it as possible. Again, make sure the flesh stays untouched in storage.
If fridge space comes at a premium, you can use a rigid airtight container so you can put other food items on top of it. Or, if you need a few days of extra storage time, you can cover the slices and chunks in simple syrup.
For canned pineapple, store it the same way you keep other canned foods. That means you should keep it in a cool and dark cupboard, possibly in the pantry or in the kitchen. That’s about it.
Can You Freeze Pineapple?
Main article: Can you freeze pineapple?
If you want to store pineapples for the long term, freezing is the way to go.
Prep the pineapples by peeling and cutting them into desired pieces. Then transfer them to airtight containers or freezer bags.
If you want to be able to easily thaw only a few pieces instead of the whole container or bag, pre-freeze the pieces first.
Finally, add a label with the name and date if you like, and freeze the cut pineapple.
When the time comes to thaw the frozen pineapple, the fridge is the way to go.
How Long Do Pineapples Last?
A whole pineapple should retain quality for 2 to 3 days at room temperature, or 5 to 6 days in the fridge. And it should stay okay-to-eat-but-not-that-great for at least a couple more days.
Cut pineapple keeps for 3 to 4 days in a freezer bag or airtight container in the fridge. Going the extra mile and submerging it in simple syrup doubles that period.
Canned pineapple comes with a best-by date on the label. And just like other canned foods, the canned pineapple slices or pieces can easily last months past that date.
If you need to store the pineapple for longer, freezing is the way to go.
| Counter | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Whole pineapple | 2 – 3 days | 5 – 6 days |
| Pineapple chunks or slices | 3 – 4 days | |
| Canned pineapple | Best-by + 3 – 6 months |
Please note the periods above are only estimates.
How To Tell If a Pineapple Has Gone Bad?
Signs of spoiled pineapple include:
- Dried or discolored top leaves. When that process starts, it’s now or never when it comes to consuming the fruit.
- Soft spots or lots of bruises. If the damaged area isn’t that big, you can usually cut it off, and use the rest of the fruit.
- Moldy, wet, or mushy bottom. If it just started to grow mold, you should cut up the fruit immediately.
- An off smell. If the fruit smells fermented instead of fresh and fruity, it’s done for.
If the fruit already has some quality issues, the deterioration process accelerates and waiting until tomorrow isn’t a good idea if you want to use the fruit.
If the fruit looks and smells okay, cut it up and see how the flesh is doing. If there aren’t any noticeable changes, the fruit should be okay to eat.
When it comes to canned pineapple, as long as the tin isn’t leaky, bludged, or rusty, the contents of the can should be just fine.
