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Charts & Reference
Pantry Staples That Last for Years (Stock Your Shelves Smart)
A well-stocked pantry means you can always throw together a meal — and these staples barely ever spoil if stored right.
5 min read
Grains & dry goods
Kept airtight and cool, these last a long time:
- •White rice — 2+ years
- •Dried pasta — 1–2 years
- •Dried beans & lentils — 2–3 years
- •Rolled oats — up to 2 years
- •All-purpose flour — up to 1 year (whole-grain flour is shorter)
Canned & jarred
Shelf-stable workhorses:
- •Canned tomatoes, beans and fish — 2–5 years
- •Coconut milk & broth — 1–2 years
- •Peanut butter — up to 1 year
- •Honey — practically forever
How to store a pantry
Keep it cool, dark and dry.
- •Decant dry goods into airtight containers to block pests and moisture.
- •Store away from the oven and other heat sources.
- •Label with the purchase date and rotate older items to the front.
- •Freeze whole-grain flours and nuts, which have oils that go rancid.
Keep reading
Put these tips into action
Grub Guardian tracks your pantry, warns you before food expires, and suggests recipes to use it first.
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