Have you ever wondered how long a fresh pineapple will last? Everyone knows fresh fruit goes bad if left alone, but how does it last? Read on and you will learn all about pineapple.

Quick Answer

The short answer is yes, pineapple does go bad. An uncut ripe pineapple will last 1-2 days on the counter and 4-5 days in the fridge. Cut pineapple should be refrigerated. It will last 3-4 days in the fridge.

You can cut up pineapple and freeze it. Pineapple will stay good in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Whether you plan to eat your pineapple now or later read on to learn more about the best way to store and preserve pineapple.

Does Pineapple Go Bad? How Long Does Pineapple Last?

Recognizing when pineapple is good and when it is bad depends on a number of factors. These factors include: is the pineapple ripe when you buy it, is the pineapple ripe?

How Long Does Pineapple Last Outside

A ripe pineapple will last on the counter for 2-3 days. If your pineapple is not ripe check it every day so you know when it is ripe.

Pineapple that is cut open should not be left on the counter. It will only last a few hours before mold can start growing.

If you are taking cut pineapple somewhere, packing it with ice will help keep it safe. If possible, take a ripe uncut pineapple and cut it at your destination.

How Long Does Pineapple Last in the Fridge

A ripe uncut pineapple will last 4-5 days in the fridge. If your pineapple is not ripe, leave it on the counter to ripen. Check it each day. Once it is ripe put it into the fridge.

Cut pineapple will last 3-4 days in the fridge. If you make a simple syrup and use it to store the pineapple it will extend the amount of time the pineapple will stay good. With the simple syrup cut pineapple can last up to 6-8 days.

How Long Does Pineapple Last in the Freezer

Pineapple must be cut up before it is frozen. Cut pineapple will last in the freezer for up to 6 months. Frozen pineapple may last long if stored in a sealed Freezer Ziploc.

If you take frozen pineapple out of the freezer remove what you need and put it back in immediately. Keeping it from defrost, even partially, will increase the pineapples chance of lasting.

Conclusion

Knowing how long pineapple generally lasts is important. It is also important to know that time changes based on how ripe the pineapple is when it is purchased. Read on for how to tell when pineapple is still good and when it has gone bad.

How To Tell If Pineapple Has Gone Bad / How To Know Pineapple is Fresh

How to Tell if Pineapple Has Gone Bad: There are a few clues that let you know if pineapple has gone bad. For an uncut pineapple, if the leaves are dried out or have lost color then the fruit is past its prime. There may be some good spots, but it isn’t worth the risk. Another way to tell if pineapple has gone bad is to cut it open and check for brown spots. Remove all brown spots and any soft spots and eat the rest. If the pineapple is growing mold, it is long past its prime and needs to be thrown out. Lastly, if the pineapple smells like it is starting to ferment, or if it starts to smell like pineapple alcohol, then it is overripe and needs to be thrown out.

How to Know if Pineapple is Fresh: There are a few ways to tell if pineapple is ripe and fresh. To check if uncut pineapple is ripe press on the bottom and smell it. If it smells like pineapple it is ripe. If there is no smell or very little smell the pineapple is not ripe yet. Another way to check ripeness is to pull a leaf from the top. if it comes out easily then the pineapple is ripe. If it is hard to remove, the pineapple is not yet ripe.

How to Store Pineapple?

The best way to store pineapple depends on a number of factors. An unripe pineapple should be stored on the counter until it is ripe.

On the Counter: A ripe uncut pineapple can be stored on the counter for 2-3 days. A day or two more may still be safe but check the pineapple before eating it.

In the Fridge: Cut pineapple should be stored in the fridge. Cut pineapple will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Occasionally it will last up to a week. If you make a simple syrup (boil water with sugar), you can extend the pineapple’s freshness for a few days more.

In the Freezer: The freezer is the best option for those who know they will not finish the whole pineapple within the week. Store the pineapple in a freezer safe container.

Can You Freeze Pineapple? How?

Yes, you can freeze pineapple. There are a few things to consider when freezing pineapple.

Ripe Pineapple: Make sure your pineapple is ripe before you cut it up to freeze it. Unripe pineapple will not be as sweet and delicious as ripe. If your pineapple is unripe, check the ripeness each day until it is ready.

Fresh Pineapple: Once the pineapple is ripe, cut it up. Cut off the top and all the skin. Remove the core. slice the pineapple into pieces, about ½-1 inch thick.

Frozen Pineapple: To freeze pineapple lay it out in the freezer-safe container (Gallon-sized Freezer Ziploc works great). Place the container flat in the freezer.

How to Thaw Pineapple?

How you thaw frozen pineapple depends on what you will be using it for.

Removing some pineapple from the Freezer: If you are only removing some pineapple, take out the bag. Measure out or remove the pineapple you want to thaw. Place the bag of frozen pineapple back in the freezer immediately. place the pineapple you are thawing in a colander and rinse with room temperature water.

Removing all the pineapple from the freezer: If you are removing all the pineapple from the freezer thaw it in the fridge overnight. If you need the pineapple now you can pour it all into a colander and run room temperature water over it until it thaws.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pineapple’s Shelf Life

How Long Does Canned Pineapple Last?

Canned pineapple can be stored for up to a year in the pantry. Canned pineapple will generally remain safe for a year longer than the best by date. It will lose quality in that time.  If you open a can of pineapple and it smells like alcohol or mold throw it away immediately. Once opened canned pineapple should be moved into a glass or plastic storage container and placed in the fridge. Open canned pineapple will last 5-7 days in the Fridge. Canned pineapple can be frozen in a Freezer Safe Ziploc and will remain good for 1-2 months in the freezer.

How Long Does Pineapple in Fruit Cups Last?

Fruit cups generally have a shelf life of 9 months. They will remain safe longer than that, however, the quality will go down. If you open a fruit cup and it smells like alcohol or mold throw it away immediately.

Wrap Up

There you have it. Does Pineapple go bad? Sure. But there are many ways to store it to extend the shelf life of your pineapple.