DecodedGuides

How long does bulgur last?

In the pantry, bulgur keeps for 6 to 12 months from purchase.

Pantry

6 to 12 months

from purchase

Fridge

No guideline

After opening

No guideline

Does bulgur go bad?

Bulgur is shelf stable, so the pantry time is about quality rather than safety: past it, flavour and texture fade before anything becomes unsafe. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".

Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.

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.

How long do other grains, beans & pasta last?

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.