Tangerines last 10 days in the pantry and 10–21 days in the fridge.
USDA FoodKeeper lists tangerines under “Citrus fruit (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, tangerines, clementines)”, so this page uses that entry's storage times.
Shelf life at a glance
Bars show the longest recommended time for each place. Scale runs from 1 hour to 2 years.
- 1Use within days
- 2Keeps a week or two
- 3Keeps for months
- 4Keeps a long time
Based on the longest fridge or pantry time.
About 5–16 more days in the fridge.
About 3–14 more days in the fridge.
It's inside the safe window but near the end. Eat it today or freeze it now.
Past the recommended fridge time. Even if it looks and smells fine, throw it out.
Past the recommended fridge time. Even if it looks and smells fine, throw it out.
Counted from the day it was cooked, opened or bought. Assumes a fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder.
Tangerines storage times by method
| Method | Duration | Temperature | Container | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pantry / counter | 10 days | 68–72°F | Airtight | cool, dry place |
| Refrigerator | 10–21 days | ≤ 40°F / 4°C | Airtight | at or below 40°F (4°C) |
| Freezer | Not recommended | 0°F / -18°C | Freezer bag or wrap | texture or safety suffers |
Where to store tangerines
The crisper drawer holds humidity, which keeps produce from wilting.
Tangerines shelf life, answered
How long do tangerines last in the fridge?
10–21 days at 4°C (40°F) or colder. Keep it sealed so it does not pick up moisture or odours.
How long do tangerines last in the freezer?
Not recommended. Freezing tangerines is not recommended; texture breaks down or the result is unsafe to rely on.
How long do tangerines last at room temperature?
10 days in a cool, dry place.
How long is tangerines good for past the expiration date?
Tangerines past their best-by date are usually safe if stored well; check smell, look and taste before using.
How can you tell if tangerines are bad?
Fermented, sour or musty odour. Soft, mushy or leaking spots, or wrinkled skin with soft flesh. Dark bruising that spreads, or browning inside.
Signs tangerines have gone 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.
Can you freeze tangerines?
Tangerines left out overnight
Tangerines are shelf-stable. A night on the counter is fine — keep them cool, dry and away from sunlight.
Best-by and use-by dates on tangerines
Best-by and sell-by
FoodKeeper gives unopened tangerines 10 days in the pantry or 10–21 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
Tangerines past their best-by date are usually safe if stored well; check smell, look and taste before using.
How to store tangerines
- Store unwashed; wash just before eating.
- Keep ethylene producers (apples, bananas, avocados) away from produce that over-ripens.
- Refrigerate once cut, in a covered container.
Tangerines vs similar foods
- Apples 4–6 weeks
- Tangerines 10–21 days
- Grapes 1 week
- Watermelon 3–4 days
- Avocado 3–4 days
- Bananas 3 days
- Strawberries 2–3 days
Same scale as the timeline above: 1 hour to 2 years.
Check any food in seconds: when your leftovers expire, and whether something left out is still safe.
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All fruits → Can you freeze… hub → Leftover calculator →Freezer time calculator →Left-out checker →