Jan
Average shelf life of common foods
I like to buy foods in bulk because it’s almost always a better deal, it means less gas wasted from additional trips to the grocery and it just makes sense. On the downside, there have been a few times where foods have spoiled and had to be thrown out which results in money down the drain.
In order to avoid this in the future, I set out on a mission to make myself aware of the shelf life of many of the products I use frequently and, more importantly, those I use infrequently. There’s nothing worse than wasted money.
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The Food… |
Room Temperature |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
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18 months unopened 3-6 months opened |
18 months – seal in airtight container |
24 months – seal in airtight container |
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24 months unopened 6-8 months opened |
Not recommended unless container is airtight as it absorbs odors |
ß |
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Bread crumbs, dried |
6 months – keep dry |
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Bread crumbs, fresh |
5-6 days – store in sealed container |
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Bread crumbs, frozen |
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6 months – store/seal in original container |
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Breads/Rolls, fresh made |
3-5 days – store in sealed container |
3-6 days, store in a tightly sealed container |
2-4 months – store in tightly sealed container or freezer bag |
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Breads/Rolls, store bought |
5-7 days – store in original packaging |
5-7 days – store in original packaging |
2-3 months – store in a sealed container or original packaging |
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Canned Foods |
Typically 1 year |
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Cereals, Ready to cook |
6 months |
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Cereals, Ready to eat |
6-12 months unopened. 2-3 months opened. |
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Cocoa |
24-36 months |
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Coffee, ground |
2 years unopened |
2-3 weeks opened |
1-2 months opened |
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Corn meal |
12 months |
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Indefinitely |
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Corn starch |
18-24 months |
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Crackers, Saltines |
8-9 months |
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Crackers, Whole Wheat |
12-48 months depending on brand/ingredients |
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Dressings |
Varies – check bottle |
Varies – check bottle Always refrigerate after opening |
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Eggs, fresh |
3-5 days |
120 days |
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Eggs, powdered |
4-5 years |
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Flour, Rice |
1-2 months |
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Indefinitely |
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Flour, White |
Up to 5 years if stored in a pouch/container |
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Indefinitely |
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Flour, Whole Wheat |
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Indefinitely |
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Frosting, in container |
12 months |
3 months |
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Frosting, mix |
8-9 months |
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Garlic Cloves |
6-9 months |
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Honey |
12 months |
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Jams/Jellies |
12-18 months |
6 months, after opening Refrigerate after opening |
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Ketchup |
12 months, unopened |
3-6 months |
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Milk, Evaporated |
18-24 months |
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Milk, Powdered |
3 years |
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Oils, cooking |
6-24 months depending on type |
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Olives |
12 months |
12 months |
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Pasta, Regular |
24 months Up to 5 years if stored in airtight containers |
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Pasta, Egg |
6 months |
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Peanut Butter |
12 months unopened 3-6 months opened |
Refrigeration extends the shelf life an additional 3-6 months |
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Pickles |
12 months |
12 months |
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Rice, brown |
6 months |
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Rice, white |
1 year |
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Salt |
Forever if stored in an airtight container |
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Soups, canned |
3-4 years |
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Syrup |
12 months, opened or unopened |
1 year |
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Sugar, brown |
4 months, seal tightly |
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6 months, opened, seal tightly |
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Sugar, white |
24 months Forever if vacuum sealed |
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Sugar, Artificial |
24 months |
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Vinegar |
4-5 years |
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Yeast, baking |
24 months Beyond that must be tested first for leavening ability |
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