How Long Food Lasts

Produce / Fresh Vegetables

How long does squash last?

Quick answer

Squash (summer and zucchini) keeps 4-5 days in the fridge and 10-12 months in the freezer.

  • Summer and zucchini 4-5 days in the fridge · 10-12 months in the freezer
  • Winter 1-3 months in the fridge · 10-12 months in the freezer
Form

Fridge

From purchase

4-5days

Freezer

Can be frozen: yes

10-12months

Pantry

1-5days

Mine has been in the fridge for

Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?

United States
Yes
United Kingdom
Only after cooking

How long does squash last in the fridge?

  • Summer and zucchini4-5 daysFrom purchase
  • Winter1-3 monthsFrom purchase

Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.

Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.

How long does squash last in the freezer?

  • Summer and zucchini10-12 months
  • Winter10-12 months

Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Your freezer should be around -18°C

A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.

Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.

Can you freeze squash?

Yes.

How to defrost squash safely

  1. In the fridge
  2. In cold water, cook it straight after defrosting
  3. In the microwave, cook it straight after defrosting
  4. Cook it from frozen

You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm

It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.

It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.

Can you refreeze squash?

  • In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
  • In the United StatesYes

You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that

Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.

Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.

Can squash be kept out of the fridge?

  • Summer and zucchini1-5 days
  • Winter2-6 weeks

All forms at a glance

FormFridgeFreezerPantry
Summer and zucchini4-5 days10-12 months1-5 days
Winter1-3 months10-12 months2-6 weeks

Frequently asked questions

How long does squash last in the fridge?

Summer and zucchini: 4-5 days; Winter: 1-3 months.

How long does squash last in the freezer?

Summer and zucchini: 10-12 months; Winter: 10-12 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Can you freeze squash?

Yes.

Can you refreeze squash?

In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.

Sources

We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.