This Is How Long Cranberries Take To Go Bad

Before busting out all of your best cranberry recipes for the holidays, you might want to consider how long these tart vibrant orbs will last hanging around your kitchen before baking them into a casserole or boiling them into a Thanksgiving side dish. Even though the USDA has stated that there are no current food shortages, we all remember what happened during the worst of the pandemic. The USDA now warns citizens of potential low inventory for specific food items.

Even without the added concern of food companies not having your favorite gravy packet or the right amount of cranberries, the idea of waiting to grocery shop until the last minute for a major holiday is stressful by itself. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index of food has also risen over 11% in the last 12 months, so exactly what you purchase has never meant so much.

Knowing all of this, if you're taking the time to shop early for the holidays this year, you want to make sure your food stays fresh. There are certain tips available to maximize the freshness of your cranberries which can likely ensure long-lasting fruit up until the holidays and beyond.

If you decide to buy cranberries before the holidays this year, how long they last depends on how they're stored. According to Still Tasty, cranberries that are kept refrigerated in closed containers last three to six weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 12 months in sealed plastic bags.

Beyond the 12-month mark, cranberries are still fine to use as long as they haven't lost color or turned too soft (per Still Tasty). If you find yourself with too much leftover cranberry sauce post-Thanksgiving, simply add the fruit accompaniment to one of many Thanksgiving leftover recipes.

So go ahead and buy cranberries early this year to save yourself the headache of a busy supermarket. If apple pie is also on your holiday menu, Healthline assures that apples will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to six weeks. And if you're more of a pumpkin pie fan, according to Kitchen Sanity, pumpkins last two to three months if left intact so go big or gourd home.