There's no better way to add a certain zing to a recipe than adding a hint of ginger. Whether you're mixing up a Ginger Loaf Cake to enjoy with friends, drizzling peanut-ginger sauce over a Chicken Noodle Bowl, or adding fresh ginger to tea to aid in digestion, there is no shortage of ways to use ginger in the kitchen.  

While often called ginger root, the kitchen staple is actually a plant. "Ginger is a flowering plant that is often used as a spice," says Registered Dietitian Chelsea Edwards.When it comes to having fresh ginger on hand for recipes, it's important to understand how to store it and how long it lasts to maximize its power.

Best Way To Store Ginger

Maximizing the lifespan of ginger is important, especially for home cooks that frequently add the spice to dishes. Ginger can be stored in both the pantry and the refrigerator – but is one location better than the other? "Ginger can last for weeks if stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator once you've cut it," Edwards says.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture's FoodKeeper App, fresh ginger root should be consumed within two to five days from date of purchase if kept in the pantry for maximum freshness and quality. If ginger is stored in the refrigerator from the date of purchase, the app states it should be consumed within two to three weeks.

"Unpeeled ginger can be stored at room temperature," Edwards says. “But it's best to store ginger in an airtight container in the crisper drawer of your fridge.”

How Long Does Ginger Last?

If you're trying to do the mental math on when you purchased the ginger that is sitting in your crisper drawer, no need. Edwards says you'll know when the spice has gone bad. "Ginger that has gone bad is going to typically turn brown, lose its bright yellow color, and become mushy," she says.Fresh Ginger

Ginger root that is stored whole in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator can last for up to a month. When mold spores appear, it's time to toss it.

Peeled Ginger

Ginger that has been peeled will go bad more quickly, as the root is exposed to oxygen. Peeled ginger should be wrapped in plastic before storing in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. When stored this way, peeled ginger should last for two to three weeks.

Grated Ginger

Ginger root that has been cleaned, peeled, and grated to make meal prepping a breeze only lasts for up to a week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.