Produce
How long does Garlic (whole head) last?
Medium confidence
Quality concern
How long does Garlic (whole head) last? fridge 3–6 months, pantry 1–3 months, freezer 1 year (minced). Plus spoilage signs, sources, and an unopened-vs-opened note.
Fridge
3–6 months
Pantry
1–3 months
Freezer
1 year (minced)
Sealed / unopened: N/A
Signs Garlic (whole head) has gone bad
- Soft cloves, brown spots, yeasty or sulfurous smell, mold on the wrapper.
Still good if
- A green sprout pushing through the clove — pluck it out and use the rest. The sprout itself is bitter but not harmful.
Discard immediately if
- Any green tint on potatoes (solanine — toxic)
- Soft, leaking, or moldy
- Strong off smell
Why guidance varies
Fresh produce ripening depends on ethylene-gas exposure, storage temperature, humidity, and time since harvest — duration estimates assume typical home conditions, not optimal commercial storage.
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Sources for this answer
- A USDA FoodKeeper — Storage windows and refrigeration guidance for this category.
- A FDA — Are You Storing Food Safely? — Date-label interpretation and food-safety baseline.