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
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
- In the refrigerator
- In cold water, cook it right after thawing
- In the microwave, cook it right after thawing
- 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
| Form | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular, degerminated | - | - | 6-12 months |
| Regular, degerminated, opened | 1 year | - | 2 years |
| Stone ground or blue | - | - | 1 month |
| Stone ground or blue, opened | 2-4 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.