How long does bulgur last?
Bulgur keeps for 6 to 12 months in the pantry. Times are USDA FoodKeeper quality guidelines from the point of purchase unless noted.
6 to 12 months
from purchase
No guideline
No guideline
How to tell bulgur has gone bad
General signs for grains, beans & pasta, the group USDA lists bulgur under.
- Small webbing, moths or beetles inside the bag or container
- Musty or damp smell instead of a neutral, dry one
- Clumping together from moisture getting into the package
- Cooked pasta or rice turning sticky, slimy or sour smelling
- Visible mould on cooked beans or grains left too long
More on grains, beans & pasta. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Store dry grains, beans and pasta in airtight containers in a cool, dry cupboard away from the stove. Once cooked, refrigerate in a shallow covered container within two hours and use within about four days. Freeze cooked portions for longer storage and thaw in the fridge before reheating.
More in grains, beans & pasta
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.