Cucumbers are a vegetable from the *Cucurbitaceae* family. [Cucumbers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-grow-and-harvest-cucumbers-in-your-garden) grow on a vine, are cylindrical, and are available year-round. Cucumbers have a high water content of ninety-five percent water, which gives these vegetables a crispy texture and fresh taste. You can consume raw cucumbers as a snack or add slices to a [cucumber salad](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-salad-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi). Cucumbers are also common pickling vegetables.

You can store whole cucumbers for one to two weeks in the refrigerator. Remove the cucumbers from any plastic wrapping, which can cause the veggies to ripen more quickly, and follow these steps:

1. __Wash the cucumbers__. Rinse the fresh cucumbers with cold water and dry them.
2. __Wrap the cucumbers in paper towels__. Wrap individual whole cucumbers in a paper towel to soak up the water the cucumber releases and prevent them from getting mushy.
3. __Place the cucumbers in a storage container__. Place the wrapped cucumbers in a zip-top bag or in an airtight container to keep them from drying out. 
4. __Put the cucumbers in the crisper drawer__. Be sure to separate cucumbers from fruits like apples, which release ethylene gas that speeds up the ripening process of other surrounding fruits and veggies.
5. __Keep cucumbers toward the front of the refrigerator__. Storing cucumbers below fifty degrees Fahrenheit can cause chilling injuries, such as mushy spots and faster spoilage. If you cannot store cucumbers in the crisper drawer, store them in the warmest part of the fridge, toward the front. 
You can store whole cucumbers at room temperature on the countertop. Cucumbers can last up to a week at room temperature if kept away from direct sunlight.

If you cut a cucumber, refrigerate and consume it within two to three days. Place cut cucumber slices in an airtight container with a paper towel on top of the sliced cucumbers to soak up the excess moisture. For cucumbers with one sliced end, wrap the cut end in plastic wrap. 

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You can store cucumbers at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Read more to learn food storage tips to extend the shelf life of cucumbers.


You can store cucumbers at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Read more to learn food storage tips to extend the shelf life of cucumbers.


How to Store Cucumbers: 3 Methods for Storing Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a vegetable from the Cucurbitaceae family. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-grow-and-harvest-cucumbers-in-your-garden' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-grow-and-harvest-cucumbers-in-your-garden","linkCopy":"Cucumbers","category":null}'>Cucumbers</a> grow on a vine, are cylindrical, and are available year-round. Cucumbers have a high water content of ninety-five percent water, which gives these vegetables a crispy texture and fresh taste. You can consume raw cucumbers as a snack or add slices to a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-salad-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cucumber-salad-recipe-by-yotam-ottolenghi","linkCopy":"cucumber salad","category":null}'>cucumber salad</a>. Cucumbers are also common pickling vegetables.

What Are Cucumbers?

You can store whole cucumbers for one to two weeks in the refrigerator. Remove the cucumbers from any plastic wrapping, which can cause the veggies to ripen more quickly, and follow these steps:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Wash the cucumbers. Rinse the fresh cucumbers with cold water and dry them. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Wrap the cucumbers in paper towels. Wrap individual whole cucumbers in a paper towel to soak up the water the cucumber releases and prevent them from getting mushy. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Place the cucumbers in a storage container. Place the wrapped cucumbers in a zip-top bag or in an airtight container to keep them from drying out. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Put the cucumbers in the crisper drawer. Be sure to separate cucumbers from fruits like apples, which release ethylene gas that speeds up the ripening process of other surrounding fruits and veggies. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Keep cucumbers toward the front of the refrigerator. Storing cucumbers below fifty degrees Fahrenheit can cause chilling injuries, such as mushy spots and faster spoilage. If you cannot store cucumbers in the crisper drawer, store them in the warmest part of the fridge, toward the front. </li></ol>

How to Store Cucumbers in the Fridge 

You can store whole cucumbers at room temperature on the countertop. Cucumbers can last up to a week at room temperature if kept away from direct sunlight.

How to Store Cucumbers at Room Temperature 

If you cut a cucumber, refrigerate and consume it within two to three days. Place cut cucumber slices in an airtight container with a paper towel on top of the sliced cucumbers to soak up the excess moisture. For cucumbers with one sliced end, wrap the cut end in plastic wrap.

How to Store Cut Cucumbers

Become a better chef with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Alice Waters, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, and more.

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You can store cucumbers at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Read more to learn food storage tips to extend the shelf life of cucumbers.