Printable Pantry Food Storage Chart: Shelf Life Of Food
Here's a pantry food storage chart listing the shelf life of common food items kept in your pantry or cupboard, to make sure you're eating your food in the time period you should.
After I've listed the information here on the page scroll down for a free printable version as well, which you can print and keep for reference somewhere, such as your household notebook.
Shelf Life Of Common Pantry Foods
| Food Item | Storage Time | Packaging |
|---|---|---|
| Baking powder | 1 year | |
| Baking soda | 2 years | |
| Beans and peas, dried | 18 months | |
| Biscuit mix | 12-18 months | |
| Bread crumbs | 2-4 months | |
| Cake, brownie and cookie mixes | 1 year | |
| Canned fruit | 1 year | Unopened |
| Canned meats and gravies | 1 year | Unopened |
| Canned vegetables | 1 year | Unopened |
| Cereals, ready to eat | 6-12 months 2-3 months |
Unopened Opened |
| Cereals, hot | 1 year | |
| Chocolate chips, semi-sweet | 1 year | |
| Chocolate, unsweetend | 18 months | |
| Cocoa powder | 2 years | |
| Coconut, grated | 1 year | Unopened |
| Coffee, ground | 3-5 months (after printed date) 3-5 months |
Unopened After Opening |
| Coffee, instant | 2 years | |
| Coffee, whole bean | 6-9 months (after printed date) 6 months |
Unopened Opened |
| Cookies, packaged | 2-4 months | |
| Cornmeal | 1 year | |
| Cornstarch | 18 months | |
| Crackers | 6 months | |
| Croutons | 6 months | |
| Flour, cake | 6 months | |
| Flour, white | 10-15 months | Opened, in air tight container |
| Flour, whole wheat | 6-8 months | Opened in fridge |
| Frosting, canned | 8 months | Unopened |
| Fruit, dried | 6 months | |
| Gelatin | 12-18 months | |
| Grits, instant | 8 months | |
| Grits, regular | 10 months | |
| Honey, molasses, and syrup | 1 year | |
| Hot chocolate mixes | 6-12 months | |
| Infant formula | 12-18 months | |
| Jelly, jam and preserves | 1 year 8 months |
Unopened Opened in fridge |
| Juice, canned citrus | 6 months | Unopened |
| Juice, canned non-citrus | 1 year | Unopened |
| Ketchup, barbeque sauce | 1 year 5 months |
Unopened Opened in fridge |
| Marshmallows | 3 months | |
| Mayonnaise | 4 months 2 months |
Unopened Opened in fridge |
| Milk, evaporated | 1 year | Unopened |
| Milk, non-fat powdered | 1-2 years | |
| Milk, sweetened condensed | 1 year | Unopened |
| Mustard | 2 years 1 year |
Unopened Opened in fridge |
| Nuts, unshelled | 8 months | |
| Oils (canola, corn and vegetable) | 1-2 years 6-8 months |
Unopened Opened |
| Oil, olive | 2 years | |
| Onions | 4-6 weeks | Dry dark place with lots of air circulation |
| Pancake mix | 6 months | |
| Pasta, dried | 2 years | Once opened keep in air tight containers |
| Peanut butter | 6-9 months | |
| Pickles, olives, relishes | 1 year 3 months |
Unopened Opened in fridge |
| Popcorn, unpopped kernals | 1-2 years | |
| Popcorn, microwaveable | 6-8 months | |
| Potatoes, white or sweet | 3-5 weeks | Dry dark place with lots of air circulation |
| Potatoes, instant | 1 year | |
| Pudding mixes | 8-12 months | |
| Rice, brown | 1 year | |
| Rice, mixes | 6 months | |
| Rice, white | 2 years | |
| Salad dressing | 10 months 3 months |
Unopened Opened in fridge |
| Salt | Indefinitely | |
| Sauces, condiments | 1 year | Unopened |
| Shortening | 8 months 6 months |
Unopened Opened |
| Soft drinks | 6-9 months | Unopened |
| Spices and herbs, dried and ground | 1-2 years | Airtight containers, discard when scent fades |
| Spices, dried and whole | 2-3 years | Airtight containers, discard when scent fades |
| Sports drinks, bottled | 9 months | |
| Stuffing mix | 6 months | |
| Sugar, brown | 4 months | |
| Sugar, granulated | 2 years | |
| Sugar, powdered | 18 months | |
| Tea, bags and loose | 6-12 months | |
| Tea, instant | 1 year | |
| Vinegar (balsalmic, cider, rice, red wine, white, and white wine) |
Indefinitely | Do not store in metal |
| Yeast, active dry | Follow package date |
These Guidelines Are Only Estimates
The estimates provided are that, only estimates. Read all information on packaging regarding expiration and use by dates, and how long the item is safe to consume after opening. If a date on a package is shorter or longer than the dates listed, rely on the dates on the package instead.
These listed dates are for pantry shelf-life of foods, and if it states “unopened” for the packaging column, there is typically a shorter shelf life once the item is opened, and in addition it may need to be refrigerated. Look at the packaging for details. You can find out more about refrigerated food storage guidelines here.
Also, use your senses of sight and smell to be sure food is safe to eat. Even if it says it’s within the expiration date periods, if it smells or looks funny throw it out!
For more information about food safety, check out my article with 5 food storage safety tips, plus visit FoodSafety.gov.
Printable Pantry Food Shelf Life Chart {Cheat Sheet}
Click here to get your Cheat Sheet (4 pages) (opens into PDF)
I've created a printable version of this information for you so it is easier for you to reference when cleaning out your pantry as part of the Organize Pantry & Spices Challenge.
This cheat sheet will help you both know when to throw certain foods out and also when to plan to eat them while they'll taste their best.
In addition, check out the articles about fresh fruit storage tips and fresh vegetable storage tips, to learn more about the fruits and vegetables that can be stored at room temperature, instead of in the refrigerator.
Other Printable Forms You May Like
Here are some additional printable forms about food storage, including other cheat sheets with storage times for food, that you may find helpful.
 Freezer Storage Times {Cheat Sheet} |
 Refrigerated Food Storage Guidelines {Cheat Sheet} |
 Pantry Inventory Form |
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