Questions specifically about the expected shelf life of a food item.
29
votes
1answer
3k views
How long can I store a food in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer?
How do I know if a given food or ingredient I have is still good, or if I should discard it?
How can I best preserve a food or ingredient?
This broad question is intended as a "general reference" ...
73
votes
10answers
17k views
Is it safe to leave butter at room temperature?
Is it safe to leave butter at room temperature? If so, how long is it safe to keep it out?
5
votes
3answers
25k views
How long will homemade salad dressing stay good in the fridge?
How long can I keep salad dressings that I made?
Since this is probably affected by what it's made up of, let's say we're talking about different salad dressings made from a combination of the ...
11
votes
9answers
52k views
How long should I keep a cut onion?
Since I only cook for one or two, I will tend to buy an onion and only use part of it, and then keep the rest in the fridge. Sometimes it will be a while before I use the rest. Is there any guidance ...
8
votes
6answers
3k views
dry garlic in oil --> botulism risk?
My girlfriend and I are thinking of preparing some flavored oils for Christmas presents this year (don't tell anyone!). We've read online that fresh garlic presents a health hazard when stored at room ...
21
votes
1answer
363 views
Sniffing out a rotten egg from the dozen
Is it possible to tell if an egg has gone off?
I am not referring to those eggs that have been especially brined to look like they've been sitting around for decades, but to fresh eggs you want to ...
23
votes
5answers
594 views
Shelf life of spices
The common wisdom I've heard is that dried herbs and spices:
have a shelf-life of about a year or 2
keep best in a cool dark place
will release more flavor when crushed
That's fine but some spices ...
12
votes
7answers
18k views
How long can I store cooking wine?
I made a dish that used a small amount of wine and now I'm wondering how long I can keep the rest of it for next time. I know you wouldn't want to keep good drinking wine around long after opening ...
7
votes
4answers
54k views
How long does cooked pasta last in the fridge?
I sometimes cook more pasta than I intend to eat or use at once and store the rest in a container in the fridge (just plain, cooked pasta). How long would it store safely for?
6
votes
3answers
8k views
Do Bouillon Cubes/Powder go bad?
I just found an old jar of Beef Bouillon cubes and although there is no expiration date, I'm a bit skeptical about using them - do they go bad?
4
votes
2answers
3k views
How to keep 'fresh' chorizo?
A relative of mine is in food retail, and recently she gave me some chorizo. With the basic advice 'hang it in the fridge'
I am not sure if it is edible as yet, and how long it will be edible for, ...
1
vote
1answer
365 views
What should I know to store my chili powder?
I am planning on making some chili powder this weekend using ancho, pasilla, and guajillo peppers. I got a nice big bag of each recently and have some questions about chili powder. The second part of ...
17
votes
2answers
3k views
How does butter remain edible for so long without refrigeration?
My wife and I keep a stick of butter in the cupboard rather than the refrigerator. Even with just the two of us, it rarely lasts very long, but I'd say it may go as long as a week without ...
10
votes
2answers
626 views
How to store Onion
I've just harvested onions from my garden. I have quite a few and should last me about 3+ months. What is the best way to prepare the onions for storage and how should I store them so they last as ...
17
votes
10answers
10k views
Should tomatoes be stored in the fridge?
Storing tomatoes in the fridge tends to make them last a bit longer, but I've heard that the flavor is negatively affected. What is the best way to store them?
15
votes
4answers
6k views
does white sugar have a shelf life?
i have had a sealed container of white sugar for about 5 years now, we have been using it slowly, but is it safe/healthy to continue using it because of its age? or should i replace it?
11
votes
2answers
942 views
How to store garlic?
When I buy garlic, I normally put it in a bowl on the kitchen counter or in the pantry, and then pop off cloves as need. Sometimes, if the garlic has been around for a while, I find what looks like ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
Should whole coffee beans be stored at room temperature, the fridge or freezer?
My coffee is normally used up within 1 week and is of unknown age on purchase, do I need to do anything extra to make it last a week?
11
votes
5answers
22k views
How long does it take for buttermilk to go bad?
I love making buttermilk pancakes but I can never seem to use up my buttermilk before it passes the expiration date. The thing is, if I take a solid whiff of the "expired" buttermilk it smells great ...
8
votes
3answers
758 views
Will vegetables and fresh herbs last longer in the refrigerator in a plastic bag?
Is there a difference between how long fresh herbs and vegetables last if they are in a plastic bag or in the open? If it does, is there a break-down of which ones it does make a difference for - ...
4
votes
3answers
181 views
Should ghee be kept out of light?
I have ghee in clear glass jar on a shelf in my kitchen, would it keep for longer if I try to store it in a dark place? Does light speed up oxidation?
4
votes
5answers
404 views
Hints on storage of vegetables and fruit
Different fruits and vegetables require different treatment in order to preserve their integrity, micronutrient contents and especially taste over the longest period possible.
Time and again I am ...
9
votes
4answers
936 views
How can I store root ginger for maximum shelf life?
I have root ginger which sometimes dries out and goes a bit wrinkly. Currently I just store it on the side in a bowl. Is there a better way to store it to maximise its shelf life?
8
votes
2answers
21k views
How long is it safe to drink coffee after brewed?
How many hours/days would you recommend to drink coffee (after brewed) and consider it safe? (For example if you don't want to waste it). What is the difference if it is refrigerated or not?
The ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
How long is SPAM really good for?
I wanted to buy some SPAM for my zombie apocalypse survival kit, and I noticed that it had an expiration date in 2013. Should I be concerned? I've heard it will last more than 25 years.
5
votes
1answer
2k views
Can I store suet or home-rendered tallow at room temperature for a year?
This weekend I will be in possession of 100 lbs of beef suet (which I'll be getting from a butcher friend) and plan to render it into tallow. I can't even begin to imagine exactly what this amount of ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
how long is tofu good for?
I bought some tofu at the store about a month ago (or was it two months?). Anyway, I haven't eaten it all and it's sitting in my fridge in tupperware. How long is it good for?
4
votes
4answers
2k views
What can I do to prolong vegetable and meat freshness in the freezer?
In an effort to improve my eating habits I am thinking of buying more vegetables and meats while at the store so that I have them to cook with. However, with a busy schedule it is hard to try and ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
How long can I keep sauteed onions in the fridge?
I'm a working mom, so I'm always trying to find ways to cut down on cooking time. My newest trick is to saute a huge batch of onions and keep it in a container in the fridge, so that I can skip the ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
How long can I keep thawed vacuum-packed fish in the fridge?
I know that for fresh fish, or fish that was previously frozen without special storage, you should use it the same day. If I thawed too much, does the fact that it was vacuum-packed add to the time I ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Can I leave a cake / cupcakes frosted with cream cheese frosting out on the counter?
I need to frost a cake and cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting for a late morning party tomorrow. I do not do a lot of baking so I'm concerned about when I should frost the cakes. For the sake of ...
3
votes
2answers
345 views
Why would fresh tuna be salted?
I bought a big piece of tuna about a week ago. I carved it up and put most in the freezer. However, as I am the proud owner of a vacuum sealer (as of a week ago), the worst part of the tuna got vacuum ...
3
votes
2answers
5k views
What does flour smell like when it goes bad?
I've got about 15lbs of saphire unbleached white flour left from my 25lb bulk purchase from 2 weeks ago. While preparing a wonderful zucchini bread recipe I noticed a "sour" smell from my flour.
...
2
votes
2answers
170 views
Shelf life of commercial jams with no preservatives?
This commercial peach jam does NOT contain any preservatives.
Room temperature is 20 C.
It is written on the bottle that it should be refrigerated after opening since it doesn't contain any ...
2
votes
2answers
538 views
Can I still use butter that's been left out for 2 days?
I bought butter in 1/4 sticks (one pound box) and left it in my trunk by accident. It's been very cold 35-50° F (2-10° C) at night/day. It's been 48 hours.
Can I still use it? It's still in it's ...
1
vote
1answer
3k views
creme fraiche 1 month out of date!
I was just cooking some soup and added some creme fraiche (I smelt it before and it smelt fine, force of habit)
Once I had mixed it in - I noticed that the sell by date was the 15th of January!
I ...
