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Gunther Heller

How Long Does Lime Juice Last?

Fridge, freezer, counter · opened vs unopened · last verified November 2026

  • Changes once opened
Illustration of lime juice
Show storage times for
Per USDA FoodKeeper
Counter
Refrigerate
once opened
Fridge
2 months
at or below 40°F (4°C)
Freezer
Not listed
no FoodKeeper figure
Counter
12–18 months
cool, dry place
Fridge
Not needed
shelf-stable
Freezer
Not needed
keeps without freezing
Quick answer

Opened lime juice lasts 2 months in the fridge. Unopened, it keeps 12–18 months in the pantry.

At a glance

Shelf life at a glance

Fridge
2 months

Bars show the longest recommended time for each place. Scale runs from 1 hour to 2 years.

How perishable is it?
Keeps a long time
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

Based on the longest fridge or pantry time.

It's been in the fridge for…
Tap a time to check.
Still good

About 30 more days in the fridge.

Still good

About 15 more days in the fridge.

Use it today

It's inside the safe window but near the end. Eat it today or freeze it now.

Throw it out

Past the recommended fridge time. Even if it looks and smells fine, throw it out.

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.

Every method

Lime juice storage times by method

MethodDurationTemperatureContainerNotes
Refrigerator (opened)2 months≤ 40°F / 4°CAirtightat or below 40°F (4°C)
Pantry / counter (unopened)12–18 months68–72°FAirtightcool, dry place
Where to keep it

Where to store lime juice

Freezer Top shelf Middle shelf Bottom shelf Crisper drawer Door
Best spot
Door

The door is the warmest part of the fridge, fine for condiments and drinks that resist spoilage.

Question by question

Lime juice shelf life, answered

How long does lime juice last in the fridge?

2 months at 4°C (40°F) or colder (opened). Keep it sealed so it does not pick up moisture or odours.

How long does lime juice last in the freezer?

Not listed. FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for lime juice.

How long does lime juice last at room temperature?

It is not meant to be kept at room temperature. Refrigerate it.

How long does lime juice last after opening?

2 months in the fridge once opened. The printed date stops applying the moment you break the seal.

How long does unopened lime juice last?

12–18 months in the pantry, if the seal is intact and it is stored as the label says.

How long is lime juice good for past the expiration date?

FoodKeeper gives unopened lime juice 12–18 months in the pantry, 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.

How can you tell if lime juice is bad?

Vinegary, sour or musty instead of fresh. Flat, sour or bitter — quality is gone. Cloudiness, sediment or film that was not there before.

Check before you eat

Signs lime juice has gone bad

Smell

Vinegary, sour or musty instead of fresh.

Taste

Flat, sour or bitter — quality is gone.

Look

Cloudiness, sediment or film that was not there before.

Package

Bulging carton, cap or can — discard.

Does lime juice go bad? Full guide →

Freezing

Can you freeze lime juice?

No FoodKeeper figureFoodKeeper gives no freezer time for lime juice.
  1. 1Step 1

    Leave headspace in a freezer-safe container; liquids expand.

  2. 2Step 2

    Freeze in ice-cube trays for small portions.

  3. 3Step 3

    Thaw in the fridge and shake well before using.

The 2-hour rule

Lime juice left out overnight

Opened lime juice belongs in the fridge. Overnight at room temperature speeds spoilage; if it smells, looks or tastes off, discard it.

Date labels

Best-by and use-by dates on lime juice

Unopened

FoodKeeper gives unopened lime juice 12–18 months in the pantry, 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.

Opened

Once opened, the printed date no longer applies. Count 2 months in the fridge from the day you open it.

Storage tips

How to store lime juice

  • Store unopened in a cool, dark place.
  • Refrigerate after opening and close tightly.
  • Keep away from light and heat, which flatten flavour.
How it compares

Lime juice vs similar foods

Longest recommended storage time (fridge, or pantry for shelf-stable foods)

Same scale as the timeline above: 1 hour to 2 years.

Got something else in the fridge?

Check any food in seconds: when your leftovers expire, and whether something left out is still safe.

Keep exploring

Similar foods

All juice → Does it go bad? hub → Leftover calculator →Freezer time calculator →Left-out checker →

Questions people ask

Lime juice FAQ

How long does lime juice last in the fridge?
Lime juice lasts 2 months in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below once opened, according to USDA FoodKeeper.
Can you freeze lime juice?
FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for lime juice.
How long does unopened lime juice last?
12–18 months in the pantry. Opened, the clock is shorter: 2 months in the fridge.
How can you tell if lime juice has gone bad?
Smell: vinegary, sour or musty instead of fresh; Taste: flat, sour or bitter — quality is gone; Look: cloudiness, sediment or film that was not there before.
Does lime juice go bad past the date?
FoodKeeper gives unopened lime juice 12–18 months in the pantry, 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.
Where do these numbers come from?
USDA FoodKeeper, the storage database maintained by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. We last checked this page in the current release.
Numbers on this page come from USDA FoodKeeper and FSIS guidance. Last verified November 2026. How we verify our data · Report a wrong number