DecodedGuides

Shelf Stable Foods

Pantry staples like honey, peanut butter, cereal, crackers, spices and canned goods are built to last for months or years, and most spoilage risk comes from moisture, pests or oil separation rather than bacteria. Quality, especially flavour and crunch, tends to fade well before safety does.

Shelf Stable Foods
FoodPantryFridgeFreezer
"Genuine" Maple syrup(2 kinds)4 yearsKeeps indefinitely
Almond butter1 year
Almond oil1 year2 years
Almonds(2 kinds)6 months16 months20 months
Applesauce(2 kinds)12 to 18 months
Avocado Oil2 years
Bacon bits1 year
BaseUse by the package date
Beets(2 kinds)1 year
Black pepper(2 kinds)2 years
Breadcrumbs6 months
Cajun seasoning blend1 to 2 years
Canned goods(2 kinds)2 to 5 years
Canola oil1 year
CapersUse by the package date
Cashew butter3 months
Cashews2 to 4 weeks6 months12 months
Cereal(2 kinds)6 to 12 months
Cereal or granola bars6 to 12 months
Chia seeds18 months
Chocolate hazlenut spreadUse by the package date
Chocolate syrup2 years
Cinnamon3 to 4 years
Coconut cream2 to 5 years3 months
Coconut milk(2 kinds)2 to 5 years3 months
Coconut oil3 yearsNot recommended
Corn syrup3 years
Crackers8 months3 to 4 months
Croutons5 to 6 months5 to 6 months11 to 12 months
Cumin3 to 4 years
Dry stuffing mix9 to 12 months
Edamame(3 kinds)12 months6 months
Flaxseed(2 kinds)2 years
Fruit cocktail18 months
Fruits, dried6 months
Garlic powder3 to 4 years
Graham cracker/animal cracker6 to 9 months
Granola6 to 9 months
Grapeseed oil1 year
Grits12 months
Gummy (fruit) snacks6 to 9 months
Instant breakfast drinks6 months
Macadamias2 to 4 weeks12 months24 months
Marshmallow crème2 to 5 months
Marshmallows1 year
Milk(5 kinds)12 months
Molasses1 to 2 years
Mushrooms(2 kinds)1 to 2 years
Mustard(2 kinds)6 months1 to 2 years
Nutmeg3 to 4 years
Nutrition supplement drinks(2 kinds)Use by the package date
Nuts1 year6 to 12 months
Onion powder3 to 4 years
Peanut butter(3 kinds)6 to 24 months
Peanuts(3 kinds)4 months12 months24 months
Pecans(3 kinds)2 to 4 weeks12 months24 months
PectinUse by the package date
Pine nuts2 to 3 weeks3 months9 months
Pistachios3 weeks12 months24 months
Polenta(2 kinds)Use by the package dateNot recommended
Popcorn(3 kinds)2 years
Pork rinds4 months
Potato chipsUse by the package date
Potatoes(2 kinds)10 to 15 months
Pretzels4 to 9 months
Pudding mixes1 year
Pumpkin seeds(4 kinds)6 months6 months
Roasted nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds)Use by the package date
Roasted red peppers4 to 6 months
SaltKeeps indefinitely
Seafood1 year
Sesame oil2 years
Sesame seeds5 years
Soup mixes1 year
Sun dried tomatoes1 year
Sunflower oil1 year
Sunflower seeds(3 kinds)12 months
Syrup1 year
Tapenade9 months9 months
Toaster pastries6 to 12 months
Tomato paste27 months2 to 3 months
Tuna(2 kinds)18 months
Walnuts2 to 4 weeks9 to 12 months24 months

Signs shelf stable foods have gone bad

  • Crackers or cereal that have gone soft or stale, not crisp
  • Rancid, paint-like smell from nuts, oils or nut butters
  • Small insects or webbing inside a box or bag
  • Spices that have lost their smell and colour
  • Fermented or boozy smell from honey that has picked up moisture

Storage habits

Store dry pantry staples in a cool, dry cupboard away from the stove and direct sunlight, ideally in airtight containers once opened. Reseal cracker and cereal bags tightly with a clip or transfer them to a container to keep them crisp. Label opened jars with the date so older ones get used first.

Questions people ask