Food group · 137 items
Pantry Staples: Shelf Life Chart
Counter, fridge and freezer times for nuts, oils, canned goods, cereal and snacks, sealed or opened, collected in one sortable chart. Every figure comes from USDA FoodKeeper and was re-checked November 2026.
137 of 137 items shown · in A–Z order
Storage times from USDA FoodKeeper · printed from diagxcar.com · keep it on your fridge door.
| Good to freeze? | Fridge, sealed | Countertop | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Almond butter | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 1 year |
 Almond oil | 2 years | Not listed | — | — | 1 year |
 Almonds | 8 months | 10 months | Yes | — | 4 months |
 Almonds in the shell | 16 months | 20 months | Yes | — | 6 months |
 Animal crackers | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6–9 months |
 Applesauce | 7–10 days | Not listed | — | 12–18 months (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Avocado oil | Not needed | Not needed | — | 2 years (pantry) | 6 months |
 Bagged popcorn | Not needed | Not needed | — | 2–3 months (pantry) | 1–2 weeks |
 Black pepper | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 2 years |
 Bottled nutrition shakes | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | Use-by date |
 Bouillon | Not needed | Not needed | — | 1 year (pantry) | 1 year |
 Bouillon base | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | Use-by date |
 Bouillon cubes | Not needed | Not needed | — | 1 year (pantry) | 1 year |
 Breadcrumbs | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6 months |
 Cajun seasoning | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 1–2 years |
 Canned beans | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned carrots | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned chili | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned coconut cream | 4 days | 3 months | Yes | 2–5 years (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Canned coconut milk | 4 days | 3 months | Yes | 2–5 years (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Canned corn | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned food (high acid) | 5–7 days | Not listed | — | 12–18 months (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned food (low acid) | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned fruit | 5–7 days | Not listed | — | 12–18 months (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned fruit cocktail | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 18 months |
 Canned juice | 5–7 days | Not listed | — | 12–18 months (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned nuts | 4–6 months | 6–12 months | Yes | 1 year (pantry) | 2–9 months |
 Canned pasta | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned peas | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned potatoes | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned pumpkin | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned salmon | 1–2 days | Not listed | — | 1 year (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Canned seafood | 1–2 days | Not listed | — | 1 year (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Canned soup | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned spinach | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned stew | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned tomato soup | 5–7 days | Not listed | — | 12–18 months (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned tomatoes | 5–7 days | Not listed | — | 12–18 months (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Canned tuna | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3 years |
 Canola oil | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 1 year |
 Capers | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | Use-by date |
 Cashew butter | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3 months |
 Cashews | 6 months | 12 months | Yes | — | 2–4 weeks |
 Cereal | Not needed | Not needed | — | 6–12 months (pantry) | 2–3 months |
 Chia seeds | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 18 months |
 Chocolate syrup | 6 months | Not listed | — | 2 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Chopped pecans | 12 months | 2 years | Yes | — | Not recommended |
 Cinnamon | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3–4 years |
 Coconut oil | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3 years |
 Corn syrup | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3 years |
 Cracked black pepper | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 2–3 years |
 Crackers | 3–4 months | 3–4 months | Yes | 8 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Croutons | 5–6 months | 11–12 months | Yes | — | 5–6 months |
 Cumin | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3–4 years |
 Dried apricots | 6 months | Not listed | — | 6 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Dried cranberries | 6 months | Not listed | — | 6 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Dried fruit | 6 months | Not listed | — | 6 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Dried mango | 6 months | Not listed | — | 6 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Dried mushrooms | Not needed | Not needed | — | 1–2 years (pantry) | 3 months |
 Dry mustard | Not needed | 1–2 years | Yes | — | 6 months |
 Evaporated and condensed milk | 4–5 days | Not listed | — | 12 months (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Evaporated milk | 4–5 days | Not listed | — | 12 months (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Flaxseed (ground) | 12 months | 12 months | Yes | — | Not recommended |
 Flaxseed (whole seed) | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 2 years |
 Fruit snacks | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6–9 months |
 Garlic powder | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3–4 years |
 Graham cracker/animal cracker | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6–9 months |
 Graham crackers | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6–9 months |
 Granola | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6–9 months |
 Granola bars | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6–12 months |
 Grapeseed oil | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 1 year |
 Grits | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 12 months |
 Imitation bacon bits | Use-by date | Not listed | — | 1 year (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Instant breakfast drinks | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6 months |
 Instant mashed potatoes | Not needed | Not needed | — | 10–15 months (pantry) | 6–12 months |
 Macadamia nuts | 12 months | 24 months | Yes | — | 2–4 weeks |
 Maple syrup | Indefinitely | Not listed | — | — | 4 years |
 Maple syrup (plastic bottle) | 18–24 months | Not listed | — | — | 2 years |
 Marshmallow crème | Not needed | Not needed | — | 2–5 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Marshmallows | Not needed | Not needed | — | 1 year (pantry) | 1 month |
 Microwave popcorn | Not needed | Not needed | — | 6–12 months (pantry) | 1–2 days |
 Molasses | Not needed | Not needed | — | 1–2 years (pantry) | 6 months |
 Natural peanut butter | 3–4 months | Not listed | — | 12 months | Refrigerate |
 Nutella (hazelnut spread) | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | Use-by date |
 Nutmeg | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3–4 years |
 Oatmeal | Not needed | Not needed | — | 12 months (pantry) | 6–12 months |
 Onion powder | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 3–4 years |
 Pancake syrup | 6 months | Not listed | — | 1 year (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Peanut butter | Not needed | Not needed | — | 6–24 months (pantry) | 2–3 months |
 Peanuts | 12 months | 24 months | Yes | — | 4 weeks |
 Peanuts in the shell | 12 months | 24 months | Yes | — | 4 months |
 Pecans | 9 months | 24 months | Yes | — | 2–4 weeks |
 Pecans in the shell | 12 months | 24 months | Yes | — | 2–4 weeks |
 Pectin | Not needed | Not needed | — | Use-by date (pantry) | 1 month |
 Pickled beets | 1–2 months | Not listed | — | 1 year (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Pine nuts | 3 months | 9 months | Yes | — | 2–3 weeks |
 Pistachios | 12 months | 24 months | Yes | — | 3 weeks |
 Polenta | 5–7 days | Not recommended | No | Use-by date (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Popcorn kernels | Not needed | Not needed | — | 2 years (pantry) | 1 year |
 Pork rinds | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 4 months |
 Potato chips | Not needed | Not needed | — | Use-by date (pantry) | 1–2 weeks |
 Pretzels | Not needed | Not needed | — | 4–9 months (pantry) | 3 weeks |
 Prunes | 6 months | Not listed | — | 6 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Pudding mix | Not needed | Not needed | — | 1 year (pantry) | 3–4 months |
 Pumpkin seeds | 6 months | Not listed | — | — | 6 months |
 Pumpkin seeds in the shell | Not recommended | Not listed | — | — | 6 months |
 Raisins | 6 months | Not listed | — | 6 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Roasted almonds | 4 weeks | Not listed | — | Use-by date (pantry) | 1–2 weeks |
 Roasted cashews | 4 weeks | Not listed | — | Use-by date (pantry) | 1–2 weeks |
 Roasted edamame | 6 months | Not listed | — | — | 12 months |
 Roasted nuts | 4 weeks | Not listed | — | Use-by date (pantry) | 1–2 weeks |
 Roasted peanuts | 4 weeks | Not listed | — | Use-by date (pantry) | 1–2 weeks |
 Roasted pumpkin seeds | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6 months |
 Roasted pumpkin seeds in the shell | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 6 months |
 Roasted red peppers | 4–6 months | Not listed | — | — | Not recommended |
 Roasted sunflower seeds | 7–8 months | Not listed | — | 12 months (pantry) | 3–4 months |
 Salt | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | Indefinitely |
 Salted sunflower seeds in the shell | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | Use-by date |
 Saltine crackers | 3–4 months | 3–4 months | Yes | 8 months (pantry) | 1 month |
 Sardines | 1–2 days | Not listed | — | 1 year (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Sauerkraut | 5–7 days | Not listed | — | 12–18 months (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Sesame oil | Not needed | Not needed | — | 2 years (pantry) | 6 months |
 Sesame seeds | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 5 years |
 Shelf-stable milk | 5–7 days | Not listed | — | 6–12 months (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Spam | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 2–5 years (pantry) | Not recommended |
 Stabilized peanut butter | 3–4 months | Not listed | — | 12 months | 2–3 months |
 Stuffing mix | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 9–12 months |
 Sun-dried tomatoes | 3–6 months | Not listed | — | 1 year (pantry) | 3–6 months |
 Sunflower oil | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 1 year |
 Sunflower seeds | Not needed | Not needed | — | — | 12 months |
 Sweetened condensed milk | 4–5 days | Not listed | — | 12 months (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Tapenade | 9 months | Not listed | — | — | 9 months |
 Toaster pastries | Not needed | Not needed | — | 6–12 months (pantry) | 1–2 weeks |
 Tomato paste | 5 days | 2–3 months | Yes | 27 months (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Tuna pouches | 3–4 days | Not listed | — | 18 months (pantry) | Refrigerate |
 Ultra-pasteurized milk | 7–10 days | Not listed | — | 1–3 months | Refrigerate |
 Walnuts | 9–12 months | 24 months | Yes | — | 2–4 weeks |
Can you freeze pantry staples?
22 freezer answers in alphabetical order
Does it go bad?
How to spot spoilage in each pantry staples item
Left out overnight
The 2-hour rule applied to each food
Figures here are drawn from USDA FoodKeeper plus FSIS guidance. Data re-checked November 2026. How we check our numbers · Spotted an error? Tell us