How long does cornmeal last?
Cornmeal keeps for 6 to 12 months in the pantry. USDA lists 2 kinds of cornmeal; the first is shown here and all are in the table below.
regular, degerminated
6 to 12 months
from the package date
No guideline
No guideline
All kinds of cornmeal, side by side
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| regular, degerminated | 6 to 12 months | no guideline | 2 years | no guideline |
| stone ground or blue | 1 month | no guideline | 2 to 4 months | no guideline |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
How to tell cornmeal has gone bad
General signs for baked goods: baking and cooking, the group USDA lists cornmeal under.
- Small moths, beetles or larvae in the flour or grains
- Clumping or hardening from moisture getting into the bag
- Sharp, crayon-like or paint-like smell from oil
- Baking powder that no longer fizzes when mixed with water
- Chocolate chips with a dull grey bloom or waxy smell
More on baked goods: baking and cooking. 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 flour, sugar and baking powder in airtight containers in a cool, dry cupboard away from the stove. Keep oils away from direct sunlight and heat, and refrigerate nut oils and opened specialty oils to slow rancidity. Label containers with the purchase date so older stock gets used first.
More in baked goods: baking and cooking
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.