Basil (fresh) keeps about 10 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, counting from the day you bought it.
That's the longest window published for Basil (fresh) — sealed in the fridge is its best case.
| Situation | Keeps for |
|---|---|
| Unopened · pantry | 5 days |
| Unopened · fridge | 10 days |
Specific to Basil (fresh), from its USDA FoodKeeper v128 entry:
And the general signs for vegetables:
Air and warmth are what shorten an opened item's life — the right container buys back the days the packaging gives up once the seal's broken.
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About 10 days at 40°F (4°C) or below, according to USDA FoodKeeper v128. That window runs from the day you bought it — FoodKeeper publishes no separate after-opening figure for this one.
Basil (fresh) is shelf-stable at room temperature: cool, dry pantry, or refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below to keep it longer. Refrigerating it mainly preserves quality rather than safety.
USDA FoodKeeper v128 publishes this for Basil (fresh) — refrigeration: Will start to discolor. Beyond that, the general signs for vegetables are: Sliminess or a wet film; Mould or dark mushy spots; Limp, shrivelled, or yellowing leaves; An off or sour smell. Never taste something to test it — when in doubt, throw it out.