Basil (fresh) keeps about 10 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, counting from the day you bought it.
| Situation | Keeps for |
|---|---|
| Unopened · pantry | 5 days |
| Unopened · fridge | 10 days |
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.
Look for: 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.