How Long Food Lasts

Guides

Cupboard storage chart

How long cupboard foods last, unopened and opened. Last checked: 1 October 2026.

Cupboard storage chart

FoodFormPantryFridge
Almond butterAlmond butter1 year-
Almond extractAlmond extract2 years-
Opened12 months-
AmaranthWhole grain4 months-
Flour, meal2 months-
Animal crackersAnimal crackers6-9 months-
Apple cider vinegarApple cider vinegarindefinitely-
Avocado OilAvocado Oil2 years-
Opened6 months-
Baby food, cereal, dry mixesOpened1 month-
BagelFresh baked1-2 days-
Baking powderBaking powder6-18 months-
Opened3-6 months-
Baking sodaBaking soda2-3 years-
Opened6 months-
BarleyWhole grain6 months-
Flour, meal3 months-
BaseBeef, vegetableuse-by date on package-
Biscuit mixBiscuit mix9 months-
Black pepperGround, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk2 years-
Cracked, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk2-3 years-
BreadHomemade3-5 days-
Bread mixBread mix12-18 months-
BreadcrumbsCommercial6 months-
Brownie mixBrownie mix12-18 months-
BuckwheatWhole grain2 months-
Flour, meal1 month-
BulgurBulgur6-12 months-
Butter flavorButter flavor2 years-
Opened12 months-
Cajun seasoning blendGround, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk1-2 years-
Cake mixCake mix12-18 months-
Canola oilCanola oil1 year-
CapersIn jaruse-by date on package-
Cashew butterCashew butter3 months-
CerealReady-to-eat6-12 months-
Ready-to-eat, opened2-3 months-
Cereal barsCereal bars6-12 months-
Chia seedsChia seeds18 months-
Chili powderChili powder2 years-
Opened2 years-
ChocolateUnsweetened and semi-sweet, solid1-2 years-
Unsweetened and semi-sweet, solid, opened1 year-
Chocolate hazlenut spreadChocolate hazlenut spreaduse-by date on package-
ChorizoSmoked and processed, cooked1 year-
CinnamonGround, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk3-4 years-
Cinnamon extractCinnamon extract2 years-
Opened12 months-
Cocoa and cocoa mixesCocoa and cocoa mixesindefinitely-
Opened1 year-
Coconut flavorCoconut flavor2 years-
Opened12 months-
Coconut oilCoconut oil3 years-
CookiesSoft2-3 months-
Crispy4-6 months-
Corn syrupCorn syrup3 years-
CornstarchCornstarch18-24 months-
Opened18 months-
Cream liquorsUnopened6-8 months-
Cream sauces, milk solidsCream sauces, milk solids6-12 months-
CuminGround, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk, opened or unopened3-4 years-
Danish pastryDanish5-10 days-
Diet powder mixes and drink mixesDiet powder mixes and drink mixes18-24 months-
Opened1-3 months-
Dry egg noodlesDry egg noodles2 years-
Opened1-2 months-
Dry stuffing mixCommercially packaged9-12 months-
FarroWhole grain6 months-
Flour, meal3 months-
Flavored or herb mixesFlavored or herb mixes6 months-
Fruit cakeFruit cake6 months-
Fruit cocktailCanned18 months-
Garam masalaGaram masala1 year-
Garlic powderDried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk3-4 years-
GelatinFlavored10-12 months-
Flavored, opened3-4 months-
GheeGhee6-8 months-
Graham crackersGraham crackers6-9 months-
GranolaGranola6-9 months-
Granola barsGranola bars6-12 months-
Grapeseed oilGrapeseed oil1 year-
GritsBoxed12 months-
Gummy (fruit) snacksGummy (fruit) snacks6-9 months-
Hard liquorsHard liquorsindefinitely-
HoneyHoney2 years-
Hot sauceHot sauce6 months-
Instant breakfast drinksBottled6 months-
Lemon extractLemon extract2 years-
Opened12 months-
LentilsDried1 year-
Dried, opened1 year-
MacaroonsFrench1-2 days-
Marshmallow crèmeMarshmallow crème2-5 months-
Opened1 month-
MarshmallowsMarshmallows1 year-
Opened1 month-
MilletWhole grain2 months-
Flour, meal1 month-
MolassesMolasses1-2 years-
Opened6 months-
Nacho cheeseStore bought2 years-
NectarPapaya, mango, guava, or guavabana12-18 months-
NutmegGround, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk3-4 years-
OatsWhole grain4 months-
Flour, meal2 months-
Olive oilGeneral guidance6 months-
General guidance, opened3 months-
Onion powderDried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk3-4 years-
Pancake mixPancake mix9 months-
PastriesPastries5-10 days-
PectinPectinuse-by date on package-
Opened1 month-
PopcornDry kernels in jar2 years-
Dry kernels in jar, opened1 year-
Pork rindsPork rinds4 months-
Potato chipsPotato chips2 months-
Opened1-2 weeks-
Powdered milkPowdered milk3-5 years-
Opened3 months-
PretzelsPretzels4-9 months-
Opened3 weeks-
Pudding mixesPudding mixes1 year-
Opened3-4 months-
Pure vanilla extractPure vanilla extract2 years-
Opened12 months-
RyeWhole grain6 months-
Flour, meal3 months-
SaltTable, plain, or iodizedindefinitely-
Sauce mixesNondairy (spaghetti, taco, etc.)2 years-
Seasoning blendsSeasoning blends1-2 years-
Opened1-2 years-
Sesame oilSesame oil2 years-
Opened6 months-
Sesame seedsSesame seeds5 years-
ShorteningSolid1-2 years-
Solid, opened6-12 months-
SorghumWhole grain4 months-
Flour, meal2 months-
Soup mixesDry bouillon1 year-
Dry bouillon, opened1 year-
SpeltWhole grain6 months-
Flour, meal3 months-
SpicesSpice/spices, whole3-4 years-
Spice/spices, whole, opened3-4 years-
SugarBrownindefinitely-
Brown, opened18-24 months-
Sugar substitutesSugar substitutes2 years-
Openedindefinitely-
Sunflower oilSunflower oil1 year-
Sweet potatoesSweet potatoes2-3 weeks-
TapiocasTapiocas12 months-
Opened12 months-
TeaBags18-36 months-
Bags, opened6-12 months-
TeffWhole grain4 months-
Flour, meal2 months-
Textured soy protein(TSP)2 years-
(TSP), opened3-4 months-
Toaster pastriesToaster pastries6-12 months-
Opened1-2 weeks-
TortillasFlour3 months-
Corn25-45 days-
Vegetable oil spraysVegetable oil sprays2 years-
Opened1 year-
VinegarVinegar2 years-
WaterCommercially bottledindefinitely-
Whole wheat breadHomemade3-5 days-
Commercially baked & pre-sliced3-5 days-
Worcestershire sauceWorcestershire sauce1 year-
YamsYams2-3 weeks-