Fresh ginger does not come with an expiration date, so you have to depend on the date of purchase when determining how long to store it. Ginger is available in various forms, including whole root, paste, dried, chopped, powdered, salt, pickled, and ground ginger. While ginger may have a long shelf life, how it is stored plays an essential factor when considering how long does fresh ginger last.
Ginger is commonly used as a savory spice, but it also has health benefits. This rhizome, or ginger root, comes from a flowering plant that originated in China and is used to enhance flavor in various foods and beverages.
The taste and fragrance of ginger come from its natural oils, one of which is gingerol. This particular oil is the one used for medicinal purposes and has been proven to relieve nausea, reduce pain, as an anti-inflammatory, and many other health benefits.
How Long Does Ginger Last?
The question, how long does fresh ginger last, is a common one that many people ask. You purchase that odd-looking root at the store to try out in a new dish. Grating a teaspoon of the ginger root may leave you with a root stump.
You’re probably wondering what in the world you’re supposed to do with it, and how long does ginger last in the fridge? Just like when gauging how long does celery last in the fridge, know that there are many ways to prepare ginger for storage, and this all depends on how you plan on using it.
If you enjoy ginger tea or need fresh ginger to grate for a dish, store the root in the fridge, whether ginseng vs ginger root. On the other hand, if you make a ginger paste, you may opt to store it in the freezer. The following steps show you many ways of storing fresh ginger to keep it at its freshest.
Does a Ginger Root Last in the Fridge?
Like when keeping celery fresh, one of the most popular ways to store ginger is in the refrigerator. This method is ideal for storing cut, peeled, or whole ginger root that you plan on using regularly.
Unpeeled ginger roots last up to one month in the fridge, while peeled or chopped ginger only lasts about one week.
Refrigerated Fresh Ginger Root
Store whole ginger root with the brown skin still intact in a paper bag in the vegetable crisper. As you use the ginger and have peeled or cut remains to store, place them in a glass jar with a little dry sherry to extend their shelf life.
You can also use an acidic liquid to store it in such as or lime juice or rice wine. Once you have used up the ginger, add the leftover sherry to your favorite stir-fry dish. For leftover grated ginger, mix it into a paste with salt and seal it in a container for refrigerator storage.
Keep Ginger Fresh in the Pantry
Because ginger has a bark-like covering, it can be stored at room temperature a lot longer than many fruits and vegetables. If you plan on using ginger within the next week, we’ll show you how to keep ginger fresh in the pantry.
Storing Ginger
For storing ginger, leave the root as it is, without removing the skin or washing it, and place it on a plate or other open-air dish. Store ginger in an area away from the sun. The pantry or dark corner of the kitchen counter are preferred spots to leave your ginger at room temperature until you are ready to use it.
Fresh ginger should never be left in the plastic bag from the grocery store or wrapped in plastic wrap for any period, as it holds in moisture and leads to early spoilage. Use it within a week for optimal freshness.
How to Freeze Ginger
Freezing is an excellent way of keeping ginger fresh if you don’t plan on using it quickly. There are a few ways to do this, and it varies depending on the state of the root. Ginger can last three to six months in the freezer. The same scenario also applies to how to preserve peeled garlic.
Freeze Ginger
Make leftover peeled and grated ginger into a paste by adding salt. Store the paste in a freezer bag in the freezer.
Whole ginger roots should be washed, peeled, and cut into one or two-inch chunks and placed single layer into a freezer bag or sealed container. Blot each piece of ginger with a paper towel to remove excess liquid before freezing.
Best Way to Tell if Ginger has Gone Bad
After you have stored your ginger root, whether you opted to refrigerate it, freeze it, or store it in the pantry, keep an eye on it once it gets close to its expiration date to ensure that it has not begun to spoil.
Spoiled Ginger
The best way to tell if the ginger has gone bad is to inspect it visually. If it is a full root, test it by its texture. It should be firm and not soft or moist.
If you have cut ginger, inspect the open end for mold. If you have peeled ginger, notice that it begins to darken at the edges as it goes bad. If you see any of these qualities, then its time to toss that ginger.
Prepare Ginger for Cooking
Once you purchase your ginger root from the store to prepare a stir-fry dish, you may be studying that oddly shaped root in the palm of your hand, wondering what the next step is. The following will walk you through the various ways you can prepare ginger.
Preparing Ginger Root
If you have frozen your ginger and need to grate it, you will not need to thaw it first. Grate the segment of ginger using a ginger grater or Microplane and then put the unused section back into the freezer. Grated frozen ginger is a great way to add zest to your favorite smoothies. If you plan on slicing frozen ginger, then you will need to thaw the ginger first.
To prepare fresh ginger, cut off a portion, or thumbs worth, for use. Use a metal spoon or vegetable peeler to scrape away the brown, smooth skin. You can now grate, mince, slice, or chop the garlic depending on the recipe.
Pickled Ginger
Another way to preserve your ginger for later use is to use a pickled ginger recipe. Pickling ginger keeps ginger fresh and tangy for a long time and is a great way to add a little extra zest to your favorite meals.
While ginger has a relatively long shelf life, it’s essential to keep ginger fresh using the right method, whether you plan on storing it in the fridge, freezer, or on the counter to prevent it from spoiling and getting moldy.
Using proper food storage ensures that you are enjoying the freshest ginger possible for making ginger tea or savory meals. Now you can mince, chop, and grate that aromatic root and add it to your favorite dish whenever you want it.
We hope we answered your question of how long does fresh ginger last, and we’d love it if you shared our fresh ginger storage tips with your family and friends on Pinterest.