Mac storage basics · Finder tools for finding space
Does Finder's Recents take up extra space on my Mac?
Short answer: No. Recents is a saved search showing files you used lately where they really live; nothing is copied. Deleting from Recents deletes the real file.
No. Recents isn't a real folder — it's a saved search that lists files you've opened or changed lately, wherever they actually live. Nothing is copied, so it uses no extra space.
That also means deleting something from Recents deletes the real file from its folder. If you only want it out of the list, there's nothing to clean: it drops off on its own as you work with other files. If you'd rather not see Recents at all, remove it from the sidebar in Finder → Settings → Sidebar.