Quick Answer
Dragon fruit can be stored in the fridge for up to one week before it starts to lose quality. The optimal storage time is 3-5 days. To get the longest fridge life out of your dragon fruit, store it unwashed and uncut in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer.
How Does Refrigeration Affect Dragon Fruit?
The low temperatures of the refrigerator slow down the ripening process in dragon fruit. This extends its shelf life by reducing the speed at which it uses up nutrients and moisture. However, refrigeration can’t stop the ripening process completely. Over time in the fridge, dragon fruit will start to lose moisture, texture, and flavor.
After 5-7 days, refrigerated dragon fruit will start to show signs of overripening, like:
- Soft or mushy flesh
- Browning/discoloration on the skin
- Fermented aroma
- Mold growth
To get the most out of stored dragon fruit, it’s best to use it within 3-5 days of refrigeration.
Proper Storage
To maximize dragon fruit’s fridge life, you need to store it properly:
Leave dragon fruit unwashed and uncut
Washing dragon fruit before storage actually shortens its fridge life. Added moisture encourages spoilage. Cutting into the fruit exposes the flesh to air, accelerating deterioration. For best results, store dragon fruit whole and dry.
Use a plastic bag or produce drawer
Wrapping dragon fruit in a plastic produce bag or storing it in your fridge’s crisper drawer helps retain moisture and prevents cross-contamination of odors with other foods.
Monitor fridge temperature
The ideal temperature for refrigerating dragon fruit is around 40°F (4°C). Higher fridge temps will hasten ripening. Check that your refrigerator is cooling properly.
Watch for signs of overripening
Keep an eye out for mold, soft spots, and off odors which indicate dragon fruit is past its prime. Remove any overripe fruit promptly to prevent spoilage from spreading.
Fridge Life of Whole Dragon Fruit
Properly stored, whole dragon fruit keeps well in the fridge for 5-7 days. The skin may start to brown, but the flesh inside remains fresh. After 7 days, the quality declines quickly.
Here’s a guide to how dragon fruit holds up in the fridge over time:
| Days in Fridge | Quality |
|---|---|
| 1-3 days | Peak quality, perfect eating |
| 3-5 days | Still fresh and juicy |
| 5-7 days | Edible but losing moisture; skin browning |
| 7+ days | Drying out; mushy spots; mold growth |
For best flavor and texture, aim to eat or prepare your dragon fruit within 3-5 days of refrigerating.
Fridge Life of Cut Dragon Fruit
Once it’s been sliced open, dragon fruit has a shorter fridge life. Exposure to air starts the decline in quality.
Follow these guidelines for cut dragon fruit:
- Slice just before eating for ultimate freshness
- Seal cut fruit in an airtight container
- Aim to use within 2-3 days
- Watch closely for spoilage
If you prepare a dragon fruit bowl or salad in advance, be sure to toss out any remaining portions after 2 days in the fridge.
Here are the fridge life estimates for cut dragon fruit:
| Days in Fridge | Quality |
|---|---|
| 1 day | Still fresh |
| 2-3 days | Acceptable quality |
| 4+ days | Drying out; fermented smell |
You can extend the fridge life of prepped dragon fruit a bit longer by tossing it with lemon juice. The acidity helps inhibit mold growth and browning.
Freezing Dragon Fruit
Freezing is a great long-term storage method for dragon fruit. It stops the ripening process almost completely.
Frozen dragon fruit keeps for 6-8 months with minimal decline in flavor or texture.
Follow these tips for freezing dragon fruit:
- Wash, dry, and slice fruit before freezing
- Arrange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet
- Freeze solid, then transfer to airtight freezer bags
- Squeeze out excess air from bags
- Label with date and contents
- Avoid letting frozen fruit thaw and refreeze
You can also puree dragon fruit into a smoothie pack before freezing. Just blend the flesh and pack into reusable pouches or ice cube trays.
Thaw frozen dragon fruit in the fridge before using. It retains its bright flavor and vibrant color.
Drying Dragon Fruit
Dehydrating dragon fruit is an easy way to preserve it long-term. Dried dragon fruit slices make great healthy snacks.
Follow these tips for drying dragon fruit:
- Select ripe, unbruised dragon fruit
- Wash and pat dry; leave skin on
- Slice 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick
- Arrange in a single layer on dehydrator trays
- Dehydrate at 135°F for 6-10 hours, flipping once
- Check for dryness; slices should not be sticky
- Store in airtight containers
Properly dried dragon fruit can keep for up to one year at room temperature. Rehydrate dried slices by soaking in water before eating if desired.
Pickling Dragon Fruit
Pickling is a creative way to make dragon fruit last longer. Pickled dragon fruit can add a unique twist to salads, cheese boards, and cocktails.
Follow this basic process for pickling dragon fruit:
- Slice dragon fruit into 1/4 inch rounds.
- Mix equal parts vinegar and water with salt, sugar, and spices like cinnamon sticks or peppercorns.
- Bring pickling liquid to a boil, then cool.
- Place dragon fruit slices into sterilized jars.
- Cover with pickling liquid, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
- Seal jars; store 1-2 weeks before eating.
As long as jars remain sealed, pickled dragon fruit keeps for 6 months to a year refrigerated. The high acidity prevents bacterial growth.
Storing Dragon Fruit Seeds
Inside dragon fruit are tiny, nutrient-rich edible seeds. If you won’t be using the seeds right away, they can be easily saved for later use.
To store dragon fruit seeds:
- Scoop seeds from flesh and rinse off pulp
- Allow seeds to dry fully on a towel or baking sheet
- Place dried seeds in an airtight container
- Store in fridge up to 5 days or freezer for months
Dried dragon fruit seeds can be used to make smoothies, chia-style puddings, yogurt bowls, and more. They add nutrition without altering the flavor.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit that has been previously frozen, thawed, and refrozen suffers a loss in texture. The cell walls rupture, causing the flesh to become mushier once refrozen.
For best quality, avoid refreezing thawed dragon fruit.
If you need to refreeze, use the dragon fruit in smoothies or other blended foods where texture is less important. Or cook thawed dragon fruit into jams, purees, or baked goods.
Only refreeze dragon fruit once. Additional thawing will damage the cell structure even further.
Signs Dragon Fruit Has Gone Bad
Watch for these signs that your refrigerated or frozen dragon fruit has spoiled and needs to be discarded:
- Moldy spots
- Slimy skin
- Very soft, mushy flesh
- Fermented, alcohol-like smell
- Dry, brown flesh
- Off colors like gray, black, or orange
Discard dragon fruit at the first signs of spoilage, as molds can spread quickly to good fruit. Wash hands after handling spoiled fruit.
Conclusion
With proper refrigeration, dragon fruit can keep for 5-7 days before quality loss becomes noticeable. Cut fruit has a shorter fridge life of just 2-3 days. For long term storage, freeze or dehydrate dragon fruit. Avoid letting thawed frozen fruit refreeze. Check refrigerated dragon fruit frequently and discard any signs of mold or spoilage. Following these guidelines will help you enjoy dragon fruit at peak flavor and freshness.