Garlic Per USDA FoodKeeper
On the counterCounter
1 month
cool, dry place
In the fridgeFridge
3–14 days
at or below 40°F (4°C)
In the freezerFreezer
1 month
at 0°F; quality, not safety
Quick answer
Yes. Garlic lasts 1 month in the pantry and 1 month in the freezer. After that, or sooner if stored badly, it spoils: watch for the signs below.
How to tell if garlic is bad
Smell
Fermented, sour or musty odour.
Texture
Soft, mushy or leaking spots, or wrinkled skin with soft flesh.
Colour
Dark bruising that spreads, or browning inside.
Mould
White, grey or green fuzz — discard soft produce; cut firm produce generously.
Garlic past the expiration date
Best-by and sell-by
FoodKeeper gives unopened garlic 1 month in the pantry or 3–14 days in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
Past the date
Garlic past its best-by date is usually safe if stored well; check smell, look and taste before using.
How to keep garlic fresh longer
- Store unbroken bulbs in pantry.
- Store individual cloves in refrigerator.
- Store unwashed; wash just before eating.
More about garlic
FAQ
How long does it take for garlic to go bad?
1 month in the pantry, per USDA FoodKeeper.
Can garlic expire?
FoodKeeper gives unopened garlic 1 month in the pantry or 3–14 days in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
What happens if you eat bad garlic?
Usually an unpleasant taste rather than illness, but discard anything mouldy, rancid or smelling off.
How do you keep garlic from going bad?
Store unbroken bulbs in pantry.
Numbers on this page come from USDA FoodKeeper and FSIS guidance. Last verified November 2026. How we verify our data · Report a wrong number