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How long shelf stable foods last

43 foods. Times from the U.S. government's USDA FoodKeeper data.
FoodFridgeFreezerPantry
Almond oil2 years—1 year
Almonds16 months20 months6 months
Applesauce7–10 days once opened—12–18 months (refrigerate once opened)
Avocado Oil——2 years (6 months once opened)
Bacon bitsUntil the package use-by date once opened—1 year
Black pepper——2 years
Canned goods3–4 days once opened—2–5 years (refrigerate once opened)
Cashews6 months12 months2–4 weeks
Cereal——6–12 months (2–3 months once opened)
Chocolate syrup6 months once opened—2 years (refrigerate once opened)
Coconut cream4 days once opened3 months2–5 years
Crackers3–4 months once opened3–4 months8 months (1 month once opened)
Croutons5–6 months11–12 months5–6 months
Dried fruit6 months once opened—6 months (1 month once opened)
Flaxseed——2 years
Genuine Maple syrupIndefinitely—4 years
Macadamias12 months24 months2–4 weeks
Marshmallow crème——2–5 months (1 month once opened)
Marshmallows——1 year (1 month once opened)
Molasses——1–2 years (6 months once opened)
Peanut butter——6–24 months (2–3 months once opened)
Peanuts12 months24 months4 months
Pecans12 months24 months2–4 weeks
Pectin——Until the package use-by date (1 month once opened)
Pine nuts3 months9 months2–3 weeks
Pistachios12 months24 months3 weeks
Polenta5–7 days once openedNot recommendedUntil the package use-by date
Popcorn——2 years (1 year once opened)
Potato chips——Until the package use-by date (1–2 weeks once opened)
Pretzels——4–9 months (3 weeks once opened)
Pudding mixes——1 year (3–4 months once opened)
Pumpkin seeds6 months—6 months
Roasted nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds)4 weeks once opened—Until the package use-by date (1–2 weeks once opened)
Sesame oil——2 years (6 months once opened)
Soup mixes——1 year
Sun dried tomatoes3–6 months once opened—1 year (3–6 months once opened)
Sunflower seeds——12 months
Syrup6 months once opened—1 year
Tapenade9 months—9 months
Toaster pastries——6–12 months (1–2 weeks once opened)
Tomato paste5 days once opened2–3 months27 months
Tuna3–4 days once opened—18 months
Walnuts9–12 months24 months2–4 weeks

Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder and the freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Write the date on containers when you open or cook something.

Source: USDA FoodKeeper data. Updated 2026-10-13.