But remember shortnening, like a lot of other baking products, usually has a best before date or a manufacture date and not a use by date or an expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use shortening for your baking needs after the best before date has lapsed.

How to tell if Crisco is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

It is the color and texture of the shortening that will change, it will become darker and harder. The smell will also be slightly different, from no distinct smell to an off-putting one. Once these changes happen, the taste is also off and it is not recommended to use the product. If your crisco has gone bad, check our substitution page.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Crisco to extend its shelf life?

The best way to store shortening is in its original air tight container in a cool dark place like the pantry, away from the stove or other appliances. If you live in a really hot place, you can store Crisco in the refrigerator, but it will take on a firmer texture and should be brought back to room temperature before using.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long is Crisco good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does shortening last? That depends. How long do eggs last? In general, Crisco will be one of the last expiring ingredients in any dish, soaking into any other ingredient.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Crisco lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Crisco.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Crisco shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!