Has Your Cucumber Gone Bad? Here’s What Signs to Look For

Cucumbers are a summertime classic! From crunchy cucumber salad to fresh cucumbers dipped in ranch, there’s nothing better than this vegetable. But how do you know if your cucumber is okay to munch on? What are the signs that it’s gone bad? Keep reading to learn all about a cucumber’s shelf life and when to throw them out.

How do you know if a cucumber is bad?

Chef Jeff Woodward says a cucumber is bad if there’s discoloration or soft spots. Bad cucumbers may be yellow or brown in color, have wrinkled skin, be slimy or moldy, or have an acidic smell. Good cucumbers are green, firm to the touch, and have smooth, odorless skin.

Section 1 of 7:

Signs a Cucumber Is Bad

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If your cucumber has dark spots or yellowing areas, it’s likely starting to rot. These discolored spots are also usually soft to the touch. A good cucumber is green and firm, and a cucumber that’s anything but should be tossed out.^{[1]
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Ready-to-eat cucumbers are firm and hard to the touch. A cucumber that’s soft or has soft spots is likely bad and should be discarded.^{[2]
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A fresh cucumber has firm, taut skin.^{[3]
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Research source} If your cucumber has wrinkly or soft skin, it’s starting to rot and is no longer fresh.^{[4]
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Expert Source

William Dissen
Chef and Restaurateur

Expert Interview} In this case, it’s safest to throw the vegetable out.
When a cucumber starts to rot, it produces a slimy, clear or white coating on the skin. If your cucumber feels sticky or slimy, toss it out, as this is likely a sign it’s gone bad.^{[5]
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Fuzzy white or black spots on your cucumber indicate mold and rotting.^{[6]
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William Dissen
Chef and Restaurateur

Expert Interview} Vegetables with any sign of mold should be discarded immediately, as they can cause you to get sick if eaten.^{[7]
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Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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If your cucumber has a rancid, sour, or acidic smell, it’s likely gone bad. Fresh, okay-to-eat cucumbers don’t have a distinct smell. Throw out any vegetables that have a strong, foul odor.^{[8]
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Section 2 of 7:

How long do cucumbers last?

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When stored properly, whole cucumbers can keep in the fridge for up to 6 days.^{[9]
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FoodSafety.gov
Online portal combining food safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Go to source} It’s best to use the cucumber as soon as possible, as the longer you wait, the more likely it’ll lose its signature crunch.
A sliced or cut cucumber doesn’t last as long as a whole cucumber because the flesh is exposed. Even when stored properly in an airtight container or wrap, it’s best to use the cucumber within 3 days for ideal freshness.^{[10]
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Section 3 of 7:

How to Store Cucumbers

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1
Wrap a whole cucumber in plastic wrap so it stays fresh longer. The best way to store whole cucumbers is to wrap them in a “second skin,” like plastic wrap or beeswax. This prevents air from getting to the cucumber, slowing the rotting process. Simply wash and dry the cucumber. Then, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or beeswax and place it in the fridge.^{[11]
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Research source} Use the cucumber within 4 to 6 days.^{[12]
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FoodSafety.gov
Online portal combining food safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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- Similarly, you can also store whole cucumbers in a sealable plastic bag if you don’t have plastic wrap.^{[13]
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  Research source} Just make sure to squeeze all the air out.
- Place wrapped cucumbers in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator or on the door. The crisper drawer prevents air from getting to the vegetables, and the door keeps them from becoming too cold or freezing.
Cucumbers are best stored at 55 °F (13 °C) with high humidity.
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Store slices of cucumber in an airtight container or plastic wrap. Once you slice or cut up a cucumber, it starts to go bad faster. To retain the freshness for as long as possible, store the cucumber slices or cuts in an airtight container or bag. If you’ve cut off a slice of cucumber and want to store the rest away for later, simply place a “second skin” over the entire vegetable to prevent air from getting to the flesh. Tightly wrap the cucumber in plastic wrap or beeswax, including the cut area.^{[14]
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Research source} Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.^{[15]
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- Store your cucumber in the crisper drawer or door of your fridge so it stays fresher longer.
- Keep moisture off your sliced cucumbers by placing them on a paper towel in their container.
- You can also cover the slices in water to prevent them from drying out and softening. Just be sure to change out the water every day.

Section 4 of 7:

Can you freeze a cucumber?

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While it’s possible to freeze a whole cucumber and cucumber slices, it isn’t always the best option. Cucumbers contain a lot of water and have a high moisture content. Because of this, they become mushy and soft when they’re defrosted. Only freeze cucumbers when you’ll be using them frozen, such as in smoothies or blended dips.^{[16]
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Section 5 of 7:

How to Use a Cucumber

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Use cucumber in salads and pastas or as a crunchy dip funnel. Cucumbers are one of the most versatile vegetables, thanks to their satisfying crunch and mellow flavor. This green vegetable can be used in a variety of ways. So, if you’re trying to use up that cucumber you have in the fridge, consider some of these recipes and ideas:^{[17]
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- Chopped vegetable salad with cucumber, tomato, and avocado.
- Pumpernickel bread smeared with mayo and topped with a thin slice of cucumber and a sprinkle of pepper.
- Wrap long cucumber slices in a tortilla with ground beef and chopped tomatoes.
- Use cucumbers to scoop up hummus, ranch dip, or salsa.
- Add small chunks of cucumber to a cold pasta salad.
- Juice a skinned cucumber to make a refreshing drink.
- Place slices of cucumber in water with mint.

Section 6 of 7:

What happens if you eat a bad or slimy cucumber?

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If you eat a cucumber that’s slimy or has signs of spoilage, you could get sick. Cucumbers become slimy or show signs of spoilage (discoloration, soft spots, wrinkled skin, mold) as bacteria break them down. Eating a bad cucumber and ingesting this bacteria could cause you to get food poisoning.^{[18]
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US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health

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- Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, stomach pain, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.^{[19]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  
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- Food poisoning symptoms usually occur within 12 to 72 hours after eating a contaminated food and can last hours or days. If your symptoms continue to worsen, contact a doctor immediately.

Section 7 of 7:

FAQs

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1
How long can a cucumber last in the fridge? Cucumbers can last in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 days if placed in the fridge right after purchase.^{[20]
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FoodSafety.gov
Online portal combining food safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Go to source} To make your cucumber last longer, wrap a whole cucumber in plastic wrap.
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Can you cut the moldy spot off a cucumber? While it’s possible to cut the moldy spots off a cucumber, the vegetable still shouldn’t be consumed. Cucumbers are soft vegetables, and it’s very likely you can only see some of the mold on or in them. To be safe, always throw out a cucumber if it shows any signs of mold.^{[21]
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Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Do you need to store cucumbers in the fridge? Yes, storing cucumbers in the refrigerator right away ensures they stay fresh and crisp for as long as possible. If you grow your own cucumbers, it’s best to place them in the fridge immediately after picking, washing, and drying them.
- You can keep cucumbers on the counter, but it can cause the vegetable to go bad quickly because of temperature and humidity changes.^{[22]
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Can you eat a slightly shriveled cucumber? You could eat a slightly shriveled or wrinkled cucumber if it shows no other signs of rot. However, it’s always best to lean on the safe side and avoid consuming a cucumber with wrinkly skin, just in case.^{[23]
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Tips

Avoid storing a cucumber near tomatoes, apples, avocados, or bananas, as they can cause the vegetable to ripen faster.^{[24]
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