How To Tell If Ginger Is Bad

If you're anything like me, you love using fresh ginger in your recipes. But, you want to be sure your ginger is safe to eat, as spoiled ginger contains a toxin that's harmful to your liver.

Luckily, I have some tried and true advice for you. Not only do I have tips on how to tell if ginger is bad, but also how to store fresh ginger root to make it last longer.

Ginger should be firm to touch, unwrinkled, free from mold, and bright yellow inside. If you're ginger root is lacking those qualities, there's a good chance that it's spoiled.

While that sounds straightforward, there are a few more things you should know. Read on for all the details you need to evaluate your current ginger and successfully store your future ginger. 

Jump to:

• How long does ginger last?
• How to tell if fresh ginger is bad
• Does ground ginger expire?
• How to store fresh ginger in the fridge
• How to freeze ginger
• Fresh vs dried ginger
• Recipes with ginger

How long does ginger last?

How long does ginger stay fresh? That depends whether it's fresh or ground, peeled or unpeeled, and where it's stored. Fresh, unpeeled ginger can last up to 3 months in the freezer, while ground ginger can last up to 2 years in the pantry.

See the chart below for storage information for all other scenarios on how to tell if ginger is bad.

How to tell if fresh ginger is bad

While it's not a perfect test, the best way to tell if ginger has gone bad is to look at it. Use the guidelines below to determine if it's time to discard your fresh ginger.

• Fresh ginger is somewhat firm. When the ginger has a soft, mushy texture, you know it's gone bad.  
• Fresh ginger is bright yellow in colour. You should let your ginger go if it starts to turn dark yellow, brown, or if it has tinted grey rings inside.
• Fresh ginger does not contain mold. If it's not stored properly, mold can grow on the skin of the ginger root. At this point, it's unsafe to eat.

Can old ginger make you sick?

Spoiled ginger root should never be eaten. It contains a toxin called Safrole that can cause serious harm to your liver.

Does ground ginger expire?

Commercially packaged ground ginger will not go bad. But, it will begin to lose potency in its flavour and aroma over time.

• If the scent or flavour of your ground ginger powder is weak, it's time to replace it.

How to store fresh ginger in the fridge

Storage starts in the grocery store. When you pick fresh ginger, it will last longer at home. Here are a few factors you want to consider when purchasing fresh ginger root:  

• Firm to the touch
• Unwrinkled, smooth skin that's free of blemishes and mold
• Skin that's thin enough to be scraped by fingernail (tough skin can be a sign of old ginger)
• Has a strong, spicy aroma

Okay. So, you have a fresh bunch of ginger root. Now it's time to store it.

You can store peeled and cut ginger in the refrigerator, but it will only last one week. If you're an avid ginger user, this might make sense.

For the rest of us, here's how to store unpeeled ginger in the fridge.

Here's What You'll Need:

• A large freezer bag

Instructions: 

1. Place ginger in a freezer bag.
2. Press out the air before sealing to ensure it's as airtight as possible. This keeps out oxygen and moisture, which cause mold on the ginger.
3. Place in the crisper drawer in your fridge.
4. Store for up to one month.
5. When you're ready to use the ginger, simply peel, slice and use.

Tip: If you're short on time, you can store the ginger root in the fridge in the brown paper bag it came home in. It will only last one week in this case.

How to freeze ginger

Can you freeze ginger? You bet. Here's how to get started.

Here's What You'll Need:

• A large freezer bag

Instructions: 

1. Place ginger in a freezer bag.
2. Press out the air before sealing to ensure it's as airtight as possible. This keeps out oxygen and moisture, preventing mold and freezer burn.
3. Place in the freezer.
4. Store for up to three months.
5. When you're ready to use the ginger, simply peel, slice and use.

Tip: Frozen ginger peels and slices easier than fresh ginger, so there's no need to thaw the ginger when you're ready to use it.

Fresh vs dried ginger

Fresh ginger is dried and pulverized into ground ginger (or ginger powder) for use at home.

While both come from the same origin, fresh ginger and dried ginger actually have different tastes and uses in cooking.

Here are the main differences between the two types of ginger.

• Fresh ginger is more pungent and sweet than dried ground ginger.
• Dried ginger has a longer shelf life than fresh ginger root, lasting up to two years.
• Ground ginger is used most often in baking and spiced drinks, offering a warm, spicy flavour. For example, I use it in my pumpkin protein muffins and matcha chai latte.
• Fresh ginger is used most often in savoury dishes, especially in Asian and Indian cuisines.

How much dried ginger equals fresh

1 tablespoon of fresh ginger root = ¼ - ½ teaspoon of dried ginger

Recipes with ginger

Now that you know everything about buying, storing and preserving ginger, it's time to start cooking with it.

What is ginger used for?

As I already mentioned, fresh and dried ginger are popular in spiced drinks, baked goods and savoury dishes from Asian and Indian cuisine. It has a pungent, spicy, warming flavour that is loved by many.

Check out some of my favourite recipes using ginger below: