Trying to keep supermarket trips to a minimum amidst the coronavirus outbreak? When properly stored, some of these foods can last months or even years, according to Eat By Date, a database for food product expiration dates.
Almond Milk
Recommended Videos
Shelf life: Unopened almond milk will last 1 month past a “best by” or “sell by” date in the pantry.
Apples
Shelf life: Apples can last two to four weeks at room temperature and one to two months in the fridge.
Beans
Shelf life: When properly stored, dried beans will last indefinitely while canned beans will last up to a year beyond a “best by” date.
Beef Jerky
Shelf life: Unopened beef jerky and turkey jerky will last 1-2 years in the pantry.
Beer
Shelf life: Unopened beer will last 6-9 months beyond a “best by” date.
Brown Rice
Shelf life: When properly stored, uncooked brown rice will last 6-8 months past a “best by" date.
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Shelf life: Canned vegetables and fruits last for 1-2 years beyond the “best by” date.
Canned Tuna
Shelf life: When properly stored, the shelf life of canned tuna is approximately 2-5 years beyond a “best by” date.
Cereal
Shelf life: When properly stored, unopened cereal will last 6-8 months past a “best by” or “use by” date.
Chia Seeds
Shelf life: When properly stored, chia seeds will last 2 years or longer in the pantry.
Chicken Broth
Shelf life: When properly stored, unopened chicken broth will last up to 1 year in the pantry and chicken bullion cubes can last 6-12 months in the pantry.
Chocolate
Shelf life: When properly stored, chocolate will last 2-4 months past a “best by” date in the pantry and 4-6 months past a “best by” date in the refrigerator.
Coconut milk
Shelf life: Unopened coconut milk will last 1 month past a “sell by” date in the pantry.
Coffee
Shelf life: Sealed or opened ground coffee will last 3-5 months beyond a “best by” date in the pantry. Sealed whole bean coffee will last 3-5 months beyond a “best by” date in the pantry. Sealed instant coffee will last 2-20 years past a “best by” date in the pantry.
Eggs
Shelf life: When properly stored, fresh eggs will last 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.
Flax seeds
Shelf life: When properly stored, chia seeds will last 6-12 months past a “best by” or “use by” date.
Flour
Shelf life: When properly stored, flour will last 6-8 months past a “best by” or “use by” date.
Grits
Shelf life: When properly stored, instant grits will last 2-5 years past a “best by” date while stone ground grits will last up to 1 year past a “best by” date.
Honey
Shelf life: Honey will last indefinitely.
Jello
Shelf life: Unopened Jello dry powder mix will last indefinitely while sealed, pre-packaged prepared Jello will last 2-4 months past its “best by” date in the pantry and 12-18 months beyond a “best by” date in the refrigerator.
Liquor
Shelf life: Liquor will last indefinitely.
Marshmallows
Shelf life: An unopened bag of marshmallows can last 6-8 months in the pantry while an opened bag will last 2-4 months.
Nuts
Shelf life: The shelf life of nuts past their sell by date depends on the type of nut: Almonds can last 9-12 months past their printed “sell by” date properly stored in the pantry. Peanuts, macadamias and cashews can last up to 6-9 months beyond their “sell by” date. Walnuts can last up to 6 months beyond a “sell by” date.
Oatmeal
Shelf life: Instant oatmeal and Steel Cut Oatmeal will last for 1-2 years beyond a “best by” date.
Onions
Shelf life: Onions last four to six weeks at room temperature and one two months in the refrigerator.
Pasta
Shelf life: Dried pasta will last for 1-2 years beyond a “best by” date.
Peanut Butter
Shelf life: Crunchy and smooth peanut butter will last up to a year beyond a “best by” date while natural peanut butter will last 2-3 months beyond a “best by” date in the pantry.
Potatoes
Shelf life: Russet or White Potatoes last three to five weeks in the pantry and three to four months in the fridge.
Popcorn
Shelf life: Popcorn kernels will last indefinitely while unopened microwave popcorn will last for 6-8 months in the pantry. Popped popcorn will last 2-3 weeks in the pantry.
Pop Tarts
Shelf life: When properly stored, unopened pop tarts will last 6-12 months past a “best by” date.
Protein powder
Shelf life: When properly stored, protein powder will last 9-12 months past a “best by” or “use by” date.
Quinoa
Shelf life: When properly stored, the shelf life of uncooked quinoa is approximately 2-3 years beyond a “best by” date.
Spam
Shelf life: When properly stored, the shelf life of unopened Spam is approximately 2-5 years beyond a “best by” date.
Soy Milk
Shelf life: Unopened soy milk will last 1 month past a “best by” date in the pantry.
Soy Sauce
Shelf life: Unopened soy sauce will last indefinitely while opened soy sauce will last 2-3 years in the refrigerator.
Sugar
Shelf life: Sugar will last indefinitely when properly stored.
Syrup
Shelf life: Syrup will last indefinitely when properly stored.
Tea
Shelf life: Both packaged and loose leaf tea will last 6-12 months past a “best by” date.
Tomato Sauce
Shelf life: An unopened jar of tomato sauce will last up to a year beyond a “best by” date.
Vanilla Extract
Shelf life: Pure vanilla extract will last indefinitely while imitation vanilla extract will last 2-3 years beyond a “best by” date.
White Rice
Shelf life: When properly stored, uncooked white rice will last 4-5 years past a “best by” date.
More coronavirus coverage
• Harris County heat map shows coronavirus cases by ZIP code
• We’ve got answers to 75 of your health and financial coronavirus questions
• KPRC 2 reporter Haley Hernandez answers questions readers are sending her every day
• Resources for Texans who have lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic
• Who is getting coronavirus in the Houston area? We’ve crunched the data in these charts
• This is when each state is expected to peak in deaths from coronavirus
• This is what the coronavirus spread looks like right now across the world right now
• Find all the ways you can help local businesses in Houston on our Support Local page
• Share your favorite takeout food in Houston on our pins page dedicated to takeout food
• All the coronavirus news can be found at our page dedicated to everything you need to know
• Sign up for a daily newsletter on coronavirus news and Haley Hernandez’s health inbox newsletter
• Sign up for our text service and get your coronavirus questions answered