How long does mung bean last?
Mung bean keeps for 4 to 6 weeks in the fridge. Dry, food-grade bags keeps up to 1 year in the freezer. USDA lists 3 kinds of mung bean; the first is shown here and all are in the table below.
sprouts
No guideline
4 to 6 weeks
from purchase
Never refrigerate wet sprouts. Transfer to a plastic bag or use a glass or plastic container.
No guideline
All kinds of mung bean, side by side
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sprouts | no guideline | 4 to 6 weeks | no guideline | no guideline |
| dry, food-grade bags | 1 year | 1 year | no guideline | 1 year |
| dry, vacuum-sealed | 8 to 10 years | no guideline | no guideline | no guideline |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
- sprouts: Never refrigerate wet sprouts. Transfer to a plastic bag or use a glass or plastic container.
- dry, food-grade bags: Keep the beans in an airtight container as it’s imperative that they remain dry.
How to tell mung bean has gone bad
General signs for grains, beans & pasta, the group USDA lists mung bean 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.