All About Blackberries
Your complete guide to blackberries - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Blackberries Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for blackberries in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Fresh in Refrigerator (unwashed)2-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Fuzzy white, gray, or green mold; excessive softness or mushiness; shriveled appearance; leaking juice; sour or fermented odor.
How to Check
Visually inspect for any signs of mold growth or discoloration. Gently touch to check for extreme softness or sliminess. Smell for a sour, yeasty, or off-putting aroma instead of a fresh, subtly sweet berry scent. Any berries with visible mold should be discarded immediately.
Storage Tips
Do not wash blackberries until just before you are ready to eat them, as excess moisture significantly accelerates mold growth. Store them in their original clamshell container, or transfer to a shallow, breathable container (like one lined with a paper towel) to absorb excess moisture and allow air circulation. Remove any visibly spoiled berries from the container immediately to prevent mold from spreading to others.
Frozen8-12 months (for best quality), safe indefinitely
Signs of Spoilage
Significant freezer burn (large ice crystals, dry or discolored patches on the berries); off-flavors or stale smell after thawing; extremely mushy or watery texture beyond typical for thawed berries.
How to Check
Visually inspect for excessive ice crystals or white/gray patches, which indicate freezer burn and a loss of quality, though they are still safe to eat. After thawing, smell for any unusual or stale odors. While texture will be softer than fresh, excessive mushiness or sliminess indicates potential degradation. Taste a small piece if visual and smell tests are inconclusive; discard if any off-flavors are present.
Storage Tips
To freeze, gently wash and thoroughly dry the blackberries. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (this is called 'flash freezing'). Once solid, transfer them to airtight freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date. Frozen blackberries are best used in smoothies, baking, sauces, or jams after thawing, as their texture will be softer than fresh.