Prickly pear keeps about 1–2 weeks in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, counting from the day you bought it. Frozen, it keeps about 10–12 months.
That's the longest window published for Prickly pear — sealed in the fridge is its best case.
| Situation | Keeps for |
|---|---|
| Unopened · pantry | 2–5 days |
| Unopened · fridge | 1–2 weeks |
| Freezer | 10–12 months |
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 1–2 weeks 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.
Prickly pear 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: Mould or fuzzy spots; Mushy, collapsed, or leaking areas; A fermented or alcohol-like smell; Slimy skin. Those are the general signs for fruit — USDA FoodKeeper v128 publishes no spoilage note for Prickly pear specifically. Never taste something to test it — when in doubt, throw it out.
Yes — USDA FoodKeeper v128 gives about 10–12 months in the freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Frozen food stays safe indefinitely; that window is about quality, not safety.