Cupboard Storage Chart

STAPLES

FOOD RECOMMENDED STORAGE TIME AT 70° F
HANDLING HINTS

Baking Powder 18 months or expiration date on can Keep dry and covered.
Baking Soda 2 years Keep dry and covered.
Bouillon Cubes or Granules 2 years Keep dry and covered.


Cereals

ready-to-eat (unopened) 6-12 months*
ready-to-eat (opened) 2-3 months
cooked (before preparation) 6 months

Refold package liner tightly after opening.

Chocolate

premelted 12 months

semi-sweet 18 months
unsweetened 18 months

Keep cool.


Chocolate Syrup

unopened 2 years*
opened 6 months

Cover tightly, refrigerate after opening.


Cocoa Mixes 8 months
Cover tightly.


Coffee
cans (unopened) 2 years*
cans (opened) 2 weeks

instant (unopened) 1-2 years*

instant (opened) 2 months

Refrigerate after opening. Keep tightly closed, use dry measuring spoon.


Coffee lighteners (dry)
unopened 9 months*
opened 6 months

Keep lid tightly closed.

Cornmeal 12 months Keep tightly closed.

Cornstarch 18 months Keep tightly closed.


Flour

white 6-8 months
Keep in an airtight container.

whole wheat 6-8 months
Keep refrigerator. Store in airtight container

Gelatin, all types 18 months Keep in original container.

Grits 12 months Store in airtight container.

Honey 12 months Cover tightly; if crystallizes, warm jar in pan of hot
water.

Jellies, Jams 12 months Cover tightly. Storage life lengthened if
refrigerated after opening.

Molasses
unopened 12 months+*
opened 6 months

Keep tightly closed. Refrigerate to extend storage life, remove any light
surface mold and use.

Marshmallow Cream
(unopened) 3-4 months Cover tightly.
Refrigerate after opening to extend storage life.
Serve at room temperature.

Marshmallows 2-3 months Keep in airtight container.

Mayonnaise (unopened) 2-3 months Refrigerate after opening.

Milkcondensed or evaporated (unopened) 6 months*
Invert cans every two months.

non-fat dry
(unopened) 12 months
(opened) 3 months

Store in airtight container.

Pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, etc.) 2 years
Once opened, store in airtight container.


Pectin, liquid (opened) 1 month Recap and refrigerate.
Pectin, liquid or dry 1 year or exp. date Recap and refrigerate.

Rice

white 2 years+
flavored or herb 6 months
Keep tightly closed.


Salad Dressings
bottled (unopened) 10-12 months*
bottled (opened) 3 months
made from mix 2 weeks

Refrigerate after opening.
Refrigerate prepared dressing.

Salad Oils
unopened 6 months*
opened 1-3 months

Refrigerate after opening.


Shortenings, solid 8 months Refrigeration not needed.


Sugar

brown 4 months Put in airtight container.
confectioners 18 months Put in airtight container.

granulated 2 years+Cover tightly.

sweeteners 2 years+


Syrups

12 months Keep tightly closed.
Refrigerate to extend storage life, remove any light surface mold and use.


Teabags 18 months

instant 3 years
Put in airtight container.

loose 2 years Cover tightly.



Vinegar
unopened 2 years+
opened 12 months

Keep tightly closed. Slightly cloudy appearance doesn't affect quality.
Distilled vinegar keeps longer than cider vinegar.



MIXES AND PACKAGED FOODS

FOOD RECOMMENDED STORAGE TIME AT 70° F
HANDLING HINTS

Biscuit, Brownie, Muffin Mix 9 months
Keep cool and dry.

Cakes, purchased 1-2 days
If butter-cream, whipped cream or custard
frostings, fillings, refrigerate.

Cake Mixes9 months
angel food 12 months
Keep cool and dry.


Casseroles, complete or add own meat 9-12 months Keep cool and dry.
Cookies
homemade 2-3 weeks
packaged 2 months

Put in airtight container.
Keep box tightly closed.


Crackers 3 months
Keep box tightly closed.


Frostings
canned 3 months
mix 8 months

Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Hot-Roll Mix 18 months If opened, put in airtight container.

Pancake Mix 6-9 months Put in airtight container.

Pie Crust Mix 8 months Keep cool and dry.

Pies and Pastries 2-3 days
Refrigerate whipped cream, custard, and chiffon fillings.

Potatoes, Instant 6-12 months Keep airtight package.

Pudding Mixes 12 months Keep cool and dry.

Rice Mixes 6 months Keep cool and dry.

Sauce and Gravy Mixes 6-12 months Keep cool and dry.

Soup Mixes 12 months Keep cool and dry.

Toaster Pastries 2-3 months Keep in airtight packet.



CANNED AND DRIED FOODS

FOOD RECOMMENDED STORAGE TIME AT 70° F

HANDLING HINTS

Canned Foods, all (unopened) 12 months* Keep cool.
Canned Fruit Juices 9 months Keep cool.

Canned Foods, (opened)

baby foods 2-3 days
fish and seafood 2 days
fruit 1 week
meats 2 days
pickles, olives 1-2 months
poultry 2 days
sauce, tomato 5 days
vegetables 3 days

All Opened Canned Foods -
Refrigerate and cover tightly; to avoid metallic taste, transfer foods in cans to glass or plastic storage containers, if kept more than one day.

Fruits, Dried 6 months Keep cool, in airtight container; if possible, refrigerate.
Vegetables, Dried 1 year Keep cool, in airtight container; if possible, refrigerate.


SPICES, HERBS, CONDIMENTS, AND EXTRACTS

FOOD RECOMMENDED STORAGE TIME AT 70° F
HANDLING HINTS

Catsup, chili sauce
unopened 12 months*
opened 1 month

Refrigerate for longer storage.

Mustard, Prepared Yellow
unopened 2 years*
opened 6-8 months
May be refrigerated. Stir before using.


Spices and Herbs
whole spices 1-2 years
ground spices 6 months
herbs 6 months
herb/spice blend 6 months

Store in airtight containers in dry places away from sunlight and
heat. Check aroma; if faded, replace.

Whole cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon sticks maintain quality beyond two year period.

Vanilla
unopened 2 years*
opened 12 months

Keep tightly closed; volatile oils escape.


Other Extracts (opened) 12 months Keep tightly closed; volatile oils escape.

Vegetables, dehydrated flakes 6 months

OTHERS

FOOD RECOMMENDED STORAGE TIME AT 70° F
HANDLING HINTS
Cheese, Parmesan-
grated
unopened 10 months*
opened 2 months
Refrigerate after opening.
Keep tightly closed.


Coconut, Shredded-
canned or packaged
unopened 12 months*
opened 6 months
Refrigerate after opening.


Meat Substitutes- textured protein products (imitation bacon bits) 4 months
Keep tightly closed; for longer storage, refrigerate.


Metered-Caloric Products, instant breakfast 6 months Keep in can, closed
jars or original packets.


Nuts
in shell 4 months*

nutmeats packaged
vacuum can 1 year*
other packaging 3 months*
nutmeats (opened) 2 weeks

Refrigerate after opening. Freeze for longer storage. Unsalted and blanched
nuts keep longer than salted.


Peanut Butter
unopened 6-9 months*
opened 2-3 months
Refrigeration not needed.
Keeps longer if refrigerated. Serve at room temperature.


Peas, beans-dried 12 months Store in airtight container in cool place.

Popcorn 2 years Store in an airtight container.

Vegetables, Fresh

onions 2-4 weeks

potatoes
white 2 weeks
sweet 1-2 weeks

Keep dry and away from sun.
For longer storage, keep about 50 degrees F. Don't refrigerate sweet potatoes.


Whipped Topping (dry) 12 months Keep cool and dry.

Yeast (dry) expiration date on package

*Total time "unopened" product can be stored at home. If recommendation is
for "opened" product, subtract this time from the total home storage or
"unopened" time.