Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. Dried beans are listed as indefinite, but they will begin to lose their moisture after 1-2 years in the pantry. They will need to be soaked and/or cooked for a longer amount of time than is on the directions if they are older than 2 years from the best by date. However, dried beans do not lose any of their nutritional value with age, so their shelf life is classified as indefinite. Because of this, they have always been a great survival choice.

But remember, beans, like a lot of other proteins, usually have a sell by date and not a use by date or expiration date. If there is a date on your beans, it is the manufacturer's recommendation for best quality - not safety. Because of this distinction, you may safely use them to compliment your favorite meals even after the sell by date has lapsed.

How to tell if Beans are bad, rotten or spoiled?

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

Although not a perfect test, your nose and eyes ares usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your beans have gone bad. Signs of bad cooked beans are a sour smell and a white colored liquid surrounding the beans.

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 Beans to extend their shelf life?

You can help dried and canned beans stay fresh longer by storing them in your pantry (a cool, dark place) at a temperature under 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fresh beans are best kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container and frozen beans should remain frozen in the freezer.

Once cooked, beans should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants and placed in the fridge. Never store an opened can in the fridge, always place leftover product into a proper airtight container before storing in the fridge.

For a long-term option, you can freeze your beans while preserving their taste if you use a freezer safe container. Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

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

Interesting facts about Beans:

How long are Beans good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do beans last? That depends. How long does chicken last? In general, foods last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Beans 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 Beans.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Beans 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!