How Long Food Lasts

Baked Goods / Baking and Cooking

How long does cornmeal last?

Quick answer

Cornmeal (regular, degerminated, opened) keeps 1 year in the refrigerator.

  • Stone ground or blue, opened 2-4 months in the refrigerator
  • Regular, degerminated, opened 1 year in the refrigerator
Form

Fridge

After opening

1year

Freezer

No known time

-

Pantry

2years

Mine has been in the fridge for

Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?

United States
Yes
United Kingdom
Only after cooking

How long does cornmeal last in the refrigerator?

  • Regular, degerminated, opened1 yearAfter opening
  • Stone ground or blue, opened2-4 monthsAfter opening

Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.

Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.

Can you freeze cornmeal?

Yes.

How to thaw cornmeal safely

  1. In the refrigerator
  2. In cold water, cook it right after thawing
  3. In the microwave, cook it right after thawing
  4. Cook it from frozen

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.

It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.

You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm

It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted

Can you refreeze cornmeal?

  • In the United StatesYes
  • In the United KingdomOnly after cooking

Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.

Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.

You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that

Can cornmeal be stored at room temperature?

  • Regular, degerminated6-12 months
  • Regular, degerminated, opened2 years
  • Stone ground or blue1 month

All forms at a glance

FormFridgeFreezerPantry
Regular, degerminated--6-12 months
Regular, degerminated, opened1 year-2 years
Stone ground or blue--1 month
Stone ground or blue, opened2-4 months--
General guidance---

Frequently asked questions

How long does cornmeal last in the refrigerator?

Regular, degerminated, opened: 1 year; Stone ground or blue, opened: 2-4 months.

Can you freeze cornmeal?

Yes.

Can you refreeze cornmeal?

In the United States: Yes; In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking.

Sources

We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last verified: October 1, 2026.