Classic Pantry Items You've Been Keeping Too Long

Some foods seem immortal. They're called "nonperishable" for a reason, right? Well, it turns out that those "nonperishable" foods can totally die on your shelves, and your meals and grocery budget are suffering as a result! Here are some handy tips for making sure your pantry staples remain shelf-stable!

Baking Powder and Baking Soda

Neither baking powder nor baking soda can go "bad" per se, but they can definitely lose potency over time and that leaves you with flat breads and cakes. And no one wants that.

Baking powder should last for about one year and baking soda about two years. If you want to test these ingredients to see if they are still good, mix a little baking powder with water and a little baking soda with vinegar. Foaming and bubbling means they're still ready to help baked goods rise!

Spices

Spices like nutmeg or paprika don't go bad, but they do lose potency, much like baking powder and baking soda. Old spices can't hurt you physically, but they can definitely leave your food tasting bland, which just isn't fun. Replace your spices every two to three years. If you're unsure, give those spices a good whiff. They should smell powerful if they're still good for optimal use.

Olive Oil

Olive oil lasts only about six months, and only if it is kept out of sunlight and in a relatively cool place. If olive oil is beginning to go bad, you should know by the taste.

Rice

Generally, rice lasts about two years before the texture changes, and it begins to taste bad. However, brown rice is a different story: brown rice contains natural oils in the bran layer that spoil much faster than white rice. Brown rice should be replaced every six months or so.

Nuts

Much like brown rice, nuts contain natural fats and oil that make them taste delicious and cause them to spoil quickly, usually within three to four months. Look for dark discoloration or an oily appearance and watch out for grass or paint-like smells; these are signs that the nuts are starting to go bad.

Canned Goods

But if any pantry food gives home cooks anxiety, it's canned goods; canned foods that have gone bad can pose a serious health risk to anyone who consumes them. Never use any canned food that is dented, rusted, or bulging. Once you open a can, make sure to use its contents within three to four days of opening and to keep the contents in the fridge between uses. And if all else fails, use your nose: anything that smells bad should be considered unsafe.

Beyond that, the question of how long canned goods last comes down to acidity. Highly acidic foods like pickles or tomatoes will last about 12-18 months unopened, after which point the acids begin to eat away at the metal, affecting taste. Low-acidity foods like beans will last for two to five years unopened, which makes them quite remarkable.

What Lasts Forever?

Only a few foods will truly stand the test of time: salt, sugar, and honey.

Honey must be maintained properly, with an emphasis on ensuring it never comes in contact with moisture. Assuming that's the case, honey will stay good indefinitely. Even then, you can always save crystallized honey by heating the jar or container in hot water.

Kept dry, sugar is also generally good forever, although the flavor might be affected somewhat after two years.

Perhaps more obviously, salt does not provide the most hospitable environment for most microbes, which inevitably helps to prevent it from going bad.

With all this in mind, you'll be prepared to get your pantry feeling fresher than ever and keep it operating at peak efficiency!

References: 16 Pantry Items You're Probably Keeping for Too Long | Printable Pantry Food Storage Chart: Shelf Life Of Food | Shelf Life of Pantry Foods | Here's How Long Shelf-Stable Pantry Items Actually Last