Do nuts go bad?

Nuts go rancid rather than spoiling quickly. Sealed jars or cans keep about 1 year in the pantry. Loose walnuts keep only 2 to 4 weeks in the pantry, but 9 to 12 months in the fridge and up to 2 years in the freezer. Shelled peanuts keep about 4 weeks in the pantry and 12 months in the fridge.

Food	Fridge	Freezer	Pantry
Nuts in jars or cans	—Opened: 4–6 months	6–12 months	1 yearfrom purchaseOpened: 2–9 months
Walnuts	9–12 monthsfrom purchase	24 monthsfrom purchase	2–4 weeksfrom purchase
Shelled peanuts	12 monthsfrom purchase	24 monthsfrom purchase	4 weeksfrom purchase

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 nuts have gone bad

A rancid smell, like paint or old oil, or a bitter, sharp taste.
Shriveled, dark or oily-looking nuts.
Mold, or insects in the bag. Moldy nuts can carry toxins: throw them out.

How to store nuts

Nuts are full of oils that go rancid with heat, light and air: keep them in an airtight container.
For more than a few weeks, keep them in the fridge or freezer, especially walnuts, pecans and pine nuts.
Nuts in the shell keep longer than shelled ones.
Keep them away from strong smells: nuts absorb odors.

Can you freeze nuts?

Yes, and it's the best way to keep them long-term: up to 2 years for walnuts and peanuts, 6 to 12 months for nuts from a jar once opened. Freeze them in an airtight bag or container. They don't need thawing: use them straight from frozen, or toast them to refresh their flavor.

Questions

Are rancid nuts dangerous?

Rancid nuts taste bad but aren't likely to make you ill in small amounts. Moldy nuts are different: they can contain toxins, so throw them out.

Should nuts be kept in the fridge?

For anything longer than a few weeks, yes. Walnuts keep 2 to 4 weeks in the pantry but 9 to 12 months in the fridge.

How long do opened nuts last?

Opened jars or cans of nuts keep 2 to 9 months in the pantry, depending on the nut, and 4 to 6 months in the fridge.

Add nuts to ShelfLife, and know which bag to use first.

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