ShelfLife

How long does food last in the pantry?

Foods that keep at room temperature in a cool, dry cupboard, and for how long.

Dairy and eggs

FoodPantry
Powdered coffee creamer2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 2–3 months
Shelf-stable (UHT) milk6–12 monthsfrom purchase

Meat

FoodPantry
Precooked bacon, shelf-stable6 monthsfrom purchase
Store-bought jerky12 monthsfrom purchase
Homemade jerky1–2 months

Fish and seafood

FoodPantry
Canned tuna3 years
Tuna in a pouch18 monthsfrom purchase
Opened canned fish and meat2–5 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: Not recommended

Fruit

FoodPantry
ApplesFreezer time is for cooked apples (sauce, pie filling).3 weeksfrom purchase
AvocadosFridge time is for ripe avocados.Until ripe
BananasFridge time is for ripe bananas; the skin turns black.Until ripe
Fresh whole coconut1 weekfrom purchase
Shredded coconut1 yearfrom purchase
Canned cranberry sauce2 yearsfrom purchase
GrapesFreezer time is for whole grapes.1 dayfrom purchase
Kiwi fruitFridge time is for ripe kiwis.Until ripe
Lemons, limes, oranges and other citrusWhole fruit doesn't freeze well; juice and zest do.10 daysfrom purchase
Mango, papaya, passion fruit3–5 daysfrom purchase
Cantaloupe2–4 daysfrom purchase
Honeydew2–7 daysfrom purchase
Peaches, nectarines, plums, pearsOn the counter until ripe, then 1 to 2 days. Fridge time is for ripe fruit. Freezer time is for slices with lemon juice and sugar.Until ripe
PineappleOn the counter until ripe, then 1 to 2 days. Fridge time is for ripe fruit.Until ripe
Pomegranate2–5 daysfrom purchase
WatermelonCounter: 1 to 2 days from purchase, or until ripe.1–2 daysfrom purchase

Vegetables and herbs

FoodPantry
Whole artichokes1–2 daysfrom purchase
Fresh beets1 dayfrom purchase
Pickled beets1 year
Baby carrotsBlanch before freezing.4 daysfrom purchase
Eggplant1 dayfrom purchase
Fresh basilCounter: stems in water. The fridge darkens the leaves.5 days
Garlic1 monthfrom purchase
Fresh ginger root2–5 daysfrom purchase
Dried mushrooms1–2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 3 months
Onions (yellow, white, red)1 monthfrom purchase
Green onions (scallions)1 monthfrom purchase
PotatoesFreezer time is for cooked or mashed potatoes.1–2 monthsfrom purchase
Sweet potatoes2–3 weeksfrom purchase
Whole pumpkin2–3 monthsfrom purchase
Winter squash (butternut, acorn)2–6 weeksfrom purchase
TomatoesOn the counter until ripe, then about 7 days.Until ripe
Cherry tomatoes10 days
Summer squash1–5 daysfrom purchase

Bread and baked goods

FoodPantry
Fresh-baked bagels1–2 days
Store-bought bread, rolls and buns14–18 daysfrom purchase
Homemade bread3–5 days
Store-bought cake3–7 daysfrom purchase
Crispy cookies4–6 monthsfrom purchase
Soft cookies2–3 monthsfrom purchase
Homemade muffins3–7 days
Store-bought muffins3–7 days
Fruit pie (apple, cherry, peach)1–2 days
Pumpkin pie2 hours
Pecan pie2 hours
Flour tortillas3 monthsfrom purchase
Corn tortillas25–45 daysfrom purchase

Rice, grains, beans and pasta

FoodPantry
Breakfast cereal6–12 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 2–3 months
Cereal and granola bars6–12 months
Uncooked white or wild rice2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Uncooked brown rice1 yearfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Dried beans1–2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Dried lentils1 yearfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Oatmeal and rolled oats12 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 6–12 months
Whole grain oats (groats)4 months
Dry pasta (without egg)2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Uncooked quinoa2–3 yearsfrom purchase

Condiments and sauces

FoodPantry
Bottled barbecue sauce1 yearfrom purchase
Homemade barbecue sauce, canned9–12 months
Hot sauceStays fresher longer if refrigerated.6 months
Jam, jelly and preserves6–18 monthsfrom purchase
Ketchup, cocktail or chili sauce1 yearfrom purchase
Store-bought mayonnaise3–6 monthsfrom purchase
Mustard1–2 yearsfrom purchase
Dry ground mustard6 months
Olives in jars or cans12–18 monthsfrom purchase
Pasta sauce in a jar18 monthsfrom purchase
Tomato sauce (pasta, pizza)Refrigerating unopened jars doesn't make them last longer.Until the use-by date
Pickles1 yearfrom purchase
Bottled salad dressing10–12 monthsfrom purchase
Creamy dressing (ranch, Caesar)6 monthsfrom purchase
Bottled vinaigrette6 monthsfrom purchase
Jarred salsa, picante and taco sauce1 yearfrom purchase
Soy sauce or teriyaki sauce3 yearsfrom purchase
Tahini1 yearfrom purchase
White and wine vinegar2 yearsfrom purchase
Apple cider vinegarIndefinitely
Balsamic vinegar3–5 yearsfrom purchase

Baking ingredients and spices

FoodPantry
Baking soda2–3 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 6 months
Baking powder6–18 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 3–6 months
Baking and dark chocolate1–2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Cocoa powder and cocoa mixesIndefinitelyfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
White flour6–12 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 6–8 months
Whole wheat flour3–6 monthsfrom purchase
Ground spices2–3 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 2–3 years
Whole spices3–4 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 3–4 years
Dried herbs1–2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 1–2 years
White sugarSugar never spoils; best within 2 years of opening.IndefinitelyOpened: 18–24 months
Brown sugarIndefinitelyOpened: 18–24 months
Powdered sugarIndefinitelyOpened: 18–24 months
Pure vanilla extract2 yearsOpened: 12 months
Almond and other flavor extracts2 yearsOpened: 12 months
Dry yeast (packets or jar)Must be refrigerated or frozen once opened.2 yearsfrom purchase

Pantry staples

FoodPantry
Store-bought broth or stock (carton, can)Bouillon cubes keep 1 year; made-up broth 3 to 4 days in the fridge.Until the use-by date
Low-acid canned food (meat, fish, soup, beans, vegetables)2–5 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: Not recommended
High-acid canned food (fruit, tomatoes, juice, pickles)12–18 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: Not recommended
Canned coconut milk2–5 yearsfrom purchase
Canned coconut cream2–5 yearsfrom purchase
Crackers8 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 month
Dried fruit (raisins, apricots, mango, cranberries)6 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 month
Dates2 monthsfrom purchase
Evaporated or sweetened condensed milk, canned12 monthsfrom purchase
Honey2 yearsfrom purchase
Pure maple syrup, glass bottle4 years
Pure maple syrup, plastic bottle2 years
Pancake syrup1 yearfrom purchase
Nuts in jars or cans1 yearfrom purchaseOpened: 2–9 months
Walnuts2–4 weeksfrom purchase
Shelled peanuts4 weeksfrom purchase
Olive or vegetable oil6–12 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 3–5 months
Canola oil1 yearfrom purchase
Regular peanut butter6–24 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 2–3 months
Popcorn kernels2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 1 year
Microwave popcorn6–12 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 1–2 days
Ready-popped popcorn2–3 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 1–2 weeks
Potato chipsUntil the use-by dateOpened: 1–2 weeks

Drinks

FoodPantry
Bottled waterKeeps indefinitely; heat, sunlight and nearby smells can affect the taste.Indefinitely
Whole coffee beans3–5 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 3–5 months
Store-bought ground coffee2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 2 weeks
Instant coffee1 yearfrom purchaseOpened: 2–3 months
Spirits (vodka, whiskey, rum, gin)Indefinitely
Cream liqueurs, unopened6–8 months
Tea bags18–36 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 6–12 months
Loose tea2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 6–12 months
Instant tea2–3 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 6–12 months
Red wine3–5 years
White wine1–2 years

Baby food

FoodPantry
Baby cereal, dry—Opened: 1 month
Prepared formula from powderAt room temperature, use within 1 hour.—Opened: 1 hour

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.

Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.