How long does jerky last?

An unopened pack of store-bought jerky keeps about 12 months in the pantry. Once opened, keep it in the fridge and eat it within 2 to 3 months. Homemade jerky keeps 1 to 2 months, in the pantry or the fridge.

Food	Fridge	Pantry
Store-bought jerky	—Opened: 2–3 months	12 monthsfrom purchase
Homemade jerky	1–2 months	1–2 months

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 jerky has gone bad

Mold: white, green or fuzzy spots. A fine white powder can be salt or fat, but fuzz is mold.
A rancid, sour or musty smell.
Moist, sticky or soft jerky that should be dry.

How to store jerky

Keep unopened packs in a cool, dry, dark cupboard.
Once opened, squeeze out the air, reseal the bag, and keep it in the fridge.
Remove the oxygen absorber packet before eating, but keep it in the bag until then.

Can you freeze jerky?

Yes, though it rarely needs it. Freezing helps homemade jerky made in bulk: pack it in airtight bags with the air pressed out. Let it come to room temperature before opening the bag, so condensation doesn't make it soggy.

Questions

Does beef jerky need to be refrigerated?

Not unopened. Once opened, the fridge keeps it for 2 to 3 months; at room temperature, an open bag dries out and goes stale faster.

Is the white powder on jerky mold?

Flat white crystals or a powdery film are usually salt or fat coming to the surface. Fuzzy or raised spots are mold: throw it out.

How long does homemade jerky last?

1 to 2 months, in an airtight container in the pantry or the fridge, if it was dried properly.

Add snacks to ShelfLife with the date you opened them.

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