Don’t Throw These Out: 10 Foods That Almost Never Expire

Cooking is easiest when you have the right foods on hand, but sometimes life gets busy, and we don’t always have time to hit up the grocery store as frequently as we would like to. To help make life easier, it’s never a bad idea to keep certain foods stocked up in your pantry for those days you want to eat at home but can’t make it to the market.

However, food can go bad quickly, so it’s important to know what foods you can store long-term and which you need to toss ASAP.

Next time you’re looking to stock up your kitchen with long-lasting staples, consider buying these ten foods that almost never expire:

1. Dried Beans

Every dried bean — except pinto beans — can last up to 30 years without a decrease in their nutrition or flavor. Dried beans are great for chilis and soups, and they are a great inexpensive source of protein.

2. Ghee Butter

Ghee butter, a type of clarified butter, can last for a long time if left in a cool, dry place. Since all the milk solids are removed, it does not require refrigeration.

3. Vinegar

Keep some vinegar on hand for salad dressings and other culinary uses, as most vinegars last indefinitely with white vinegar lasting the longest. Vinegar is acidic, which means it can preserve itself and will remain unchanged.

4. Honey

Whether you use it for baking or put it in your tea, honey is a great, long-lasting kitchen staple to keep around. Honey is naturally low in moisture and acidic, and combined with its natural hydrogen peroxide for bees, it can stay preserved forever.

5. Sugar

Wondering if you can use that bag of sugar from a few years ago on this week’s batch of cookies? You’re good to go. Keep powdered and granulated sugar in an airtight container to preserve its quality, and you’ll have no problem keeping it for a long time.

6. Olive Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil, even when opened, can last up to two to three years. However, it tastes best within a year, so keep it stored in a cool and dry place for optimal quality.

7. Almonds

Although they don’t last forever, almonds can last up to a year in the pantry or refrigerator or two years in the freezer. Keep them on hand for a snack to hold you over when you’re hungry.

8. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds can last for a few years in the pantry and even longer in the freezer, making them a good health food to keep around.

9. Hard Liquor

Lucky you: those bottles of hard alcohol in your liquor cabinet won’t expire. Alcohol may age over time, but it never goes bad. However, wine and beer don’t fall into this category, as their alcohol content isn’t as high.

10. Rice

White rice can last for over 30 years, according to research, so keep a bag in your pantry for any food emergencies. Brown rice, however, lasts a little less, with an unopened bag good for up to one year and an opened bag for six months.

Photo by cookbookman17