How to Store Fresh Juice and Keep It Tasty Longer

Whether pressed at home or purchased from a local juice bar, fresh juice packs serious vitamins and antioxidants. If you like to keep fresh juices in your fridge, it's helpful to know how long it will remain safe to drink. We asked a pair of certified food scientists to share their recommendations for fresh juice storage, and here's what they had to say.

How Long Can Fresh Juices Safely Be Stored In The Fridge?

"For best quality and safety, it is recommended homemade, fresh, unpasteurized juice [should] be consumed 24-72 hours if refrigerated " says Melissa Vaccaro, MS, CP-FS, PCQI, senior food safety specialist at the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).

Jessica Gavin, a certified food scientist and certified culinary scientist based in Southern California, agrees, adding that "fresh-pressed juice can last up to 72 hours in the fridge, but for the best flavor, nutrition, and safety, I recommend drinking it within 24 hours. Refrigerate right away after pressing, and never let it sit out for more than 2 hours at room temperature." According to the USDA, "harmful bacteria from the outside of the produce can become a part of the finished [juice] product. If these bacteria are ingested, children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems may become ill," and these risks increase after 2 hours at room temperature or 72 hours in the fridge.

Acidity Level Can Affect Longevity

While neither Vaccaro nor Gavin recommends keeping fresh juice past that 72-hour point, they both point out that the acidity level of juice can affect its ability to stay fresh. "Juices made from acidic fruits like citrus, apple, or pineapple naturally have a lower pH (below 4.6), which slows but doesn't stop microbial growth, and can typically be stored longer. On the other hand, juices from low-acid vegetables like carrots, celery, or beets are more vulnerable to spoilage," Gavin explains.

In terms of specific time ranges, Vaccaro says that "low-acid juices such as carrot, cucumber, kale, beet, melon, apple, pear) spoil faster and are generally safe for 24-72 hours, but no longer than 7 days. Because these juices have a higher pH (above 4.6), they can be a prime growing ground for pathogens. There have been foodborne outbreaks with these low-acid juices, [and] these are the most concerning juices when it comes to food safety. They must be refrigerated!" On the other hand, "high-acid juices (pH below 4.6, such as, orange, lemon, grapefruit, pineapple, cranberry) are more resistant and have a much longer shelf life. It is often recommended for these homemade, fresh, unpasteurized juices to be refrigerated and ideally used within 7-10 days. While most bacteria cannot multiply in highly acidic juices, pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella have been shown to survive in these environments and have caused foodborne illness when consumed later."

Fresh-Pressed Juices Spoil At The Same Rate As Homemade

Like homemade juices, versions that are fresh-pressed at a juice bar or cafe don't go through the pasteurization process (which kills microorganisms and allows juice to remain fresh for longer), so they have " the same short shelf life as homemade juice (ideally 24-72 hours refrigerated)," says Vaccaro.

Gavin mentions that "some juice bars use commercial cold-press machines and stricter sanitation, which can help [extend freshness] slightly, but once you bring the juice home, handling and temperature changes shorten its shelf life."

Juice Refrigeration Temperate

Keeping fresh juice at a cold temperature (Vaccaro recommends setting your fridge temperature to or under 41 degrees Fahrenheit) is essential both to prevent the growth of bacteria and to avoid fermentation, which "really affects quality," according to Vaccaro. She goes on to say that "natural yeasts and bacteria in juice can convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, causing fizzing, foaming, or a sour taste. Fresh juice can ferment in a couple of days."

To stop the fermentation process, "refrigerate immediately, use airtight containers to reduce oxygenation, and add acidic juice (like lemon juice) to lower pH."

Storage Tips

To keep fresh juice's flavor and texture consistent, Gavin recommends "storing your fresh juice in airtight glass containers. Glass won't react with acidic juices, so the flavor stays pure. Fill the jar to the top to reduce oxidation; this helps preserve both nutrients and taste so your juice stays fresher longer."

How To Extend The Life Of Fresh Juice

If you don't have the ability to finish your fresh juice within three days, there's no need to waste the remainder (which is good news for budget-minded juice enthusiasts!). ""Freezing fresh-pressed juice is a safe way to extend its shelf life," says Gavin.

Vaccaro further explains that "frozen juice keeps good quality for about 2-3 months, but as far as food safety goes, [it] can remain frozen for years. [However,] the longer time may degrade quality."

To properly freeze your fresh juice, "use freezer-safe containers and leave headspace (air space at the top of the container) to allow for expansion," Vaccaro says. When it comes time to thaw, Vaccaro tells us to "always thaw juice in the refrigerator, not at room temperature" to ensure safety.

Vaccaro and Gavin both remind us that, in Vaccaro's words, "freezing does not kill all bacteria; it just pauses growth. If the juice was contaminated before freezing, pathogens may still survive and resume growing once thawed. For this reason, drink thawed juice within 24-72 hours of defrosting, especially if it's a lower acid juice." Gavin also encourages you to "start with clean produce, equipment, and containers."