This Chart Shows You Exactly How Long Your Pantry Staples Really Last

Organized grocery shopping can definitely save you from trouble. We are in the middle of a global pandemic, and getting our groceries has turned into a nightmare. Online shopping is pretty pricey, and buying tons of fresh fruits and veggies is never a good idea.

The same applies to eggs, dairy and meat. Going to the grocery store every other day is impossible. You’d spend the entire day waiting in lines.

Do you check the dates of the products you are buying? Do you know the shelf life of the most common products you use in your household. Some foods last a really long time if you store them properly.

We give you a guideline to help you store your products perfectly and rearrange your shopping cart.

Shelf life of 32 foods

1. Year

• Dried fruits (keep them in sealed zip-lock backs or airtight containers in the freezer to give them an extra 6 months)

2. 1-3 years

• Bouillon
• Dark chocolate (keep it in its original packaging. Lasts longer than milk and white chocolate which lasts a year)
• Dried pasta
• Jerky (store-bought jerky lasts up to 2 years. Eat your homemade jerky in a few weeks)
• Oats (transfer them into airtight containers and use within 12 months)
• Oil (unopened oil lasts for a few years if unopened. If opened, use it within a few months. Cooking oil spray last for 2 years.)
•  Tea
• Ramen noodles (get rid of the flavor packets and use fresh veggies and herbs)
• Powdered milk (lasts up to 1-2 years if kept in an airtight container. Add a moisture absorbing packed and store it in a dark and cool place.)
• Tomato sauce (unopened)
• Jam (unopened. Opened jams should be consumed within six weeks. Store them in the fridge. Unopened jars last up to 2 years.)

3. 3-5 years

• Canned tuna
• Unopened pickled veggies (opened pickled veggies should be consumed within a few months)
• Spices (whole spices last for 4 years. Use ground spices within three years)

4. 5-10 years

• Canned fruits, vegetables and beans (these last 1-2 years past the best-by date. Smell them before use though.)
• Grains (quinoa, barley, rye, flax, grits, and miller should be stored in airtight containers)
• Molasses (unopened lasts up to 10 years. Use it within five if opened.)

5. 10+ Years

• Instant coffee lasts for 25 years or longer if stored in the freezer.
• Rice has indefinite shelf life. This applies to white, basmati, jasmine, wild and Arborio rice.

6. Forever good

• Corn Starch
• Dried Beans, Lentils, and Legumes
• Liquor – keep it at room temperature. Vermouth and Irish cream need to be stored in the fridge if opened. The opening shortens the shelf life. Use opened liquor within a year. It loses taste afterwards. But, it’s still safe.
• Unopened maple syrup can stay forever in your pantry. If opened, keep it in the fridge and use it within a year.
• Popcorn kernels
• Honey (crystals are fine!)
• Unopened soy sauce (opened product should be used within 2-3 years and stored in the fridge)
• Unflavored gelatin powder
• Sugar
• Salt
• Pure vanilla extract (imitation products expire within 2-4 years)
• Vinegar