Do dried beans go bad?

Dried beans keep their best quality for 1 to 2 years in the pantry, and about 1 year once opened. Dried lentils keep about 1 year. Old beans rarely spoil, but they take longer to cook and may stay hard.

Food	Pantry
Dried beans	1–2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Dried lentils	1 yearfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if dried beans have gone bad

Insects, small holes in the beans or webbing in the bag.
Mold, damp clumps or a musty, rancid smell.
Very wrinkled, faded beans are old: they'll take much longer to soften.

How to store dried beans

Keep dried beans and lentils in airtight containers in a cool, dry, dark cupboard.
Don't mix old and new beans: they cook at different speeds.
Refrigerate cooked beans within 2 hours and eat them within 3 to 4 days.

Can you freeze beans?

Dried beans don't need freezing. Cooked beans freeze very well: drain them, freeze them in portions with a little cooking liquid, and use them within a few months. They're a cheap alternative to canned beans.

Questions

Can you eat old dried beans?

Yes, if they show no insects, mold or odd smell. Beans several years old may never fully soften, so soak them longer and cook them longer.

How long do cooked beans last?

3 to 4 days in the fridge in a sealed container, or a few months in the freezer.

Do kidney beans need special cooking?

Yes. Raw or undercooked red kidney beans contain a toxin. Soak them, then boil them hard for at least 10 minutes before simmering; slow cookers on low may not get hot enough.

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