Of course, peas lasts for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. Dried peas will last for an indefinite amount of time, largely depending on their exposure to oxygen. If they are stored in an oxygen free airtight environment, with vacuum sealing or with O2 absorbers they can last for 20 years. After several years in the pantry beyond their best by date, they will need to be soaked and cooked for a longer amount of time than normal to re-gain their moisture. However, dried peas do not loose 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, peas, 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 peas, it is the manufacturer's recommendation for best quality - not safety. Because of this distinction, you may safely use peas to compliment your favorite meals even after the sell by date has lapsed.

How to tell if Peas 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 peas have gone bad. Signs of bad cooked peas are a sour smell and a white colored liquid surrounding the peas. Signs of bad frozen peas are a white skin (freezer burn) and a wrinkled texture. Plus, there will be lots of ice surrounding peas that have been in the freezer too long.

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 Peas to extend their shelf life?

You can help dried and canned peas stay fresh longer by storing them in your pantry (a cool, dark place) at a temperature under 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Fresh peas are best kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Once cooked, peas should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants in the fridge. If you have leftover canned product, place it into an airtight container prior to refrigeration. For more information on canned product, see our canned vegetable page.

For a long-term option, you can freeze your peas while preserving their taste if you use a freezer safe container.

Note: If you use a bag of peas to help heal your sprained ankle or other boo boo's - be sure to use that bag only for that purpose and do not eat peas that have been frozen and unfrozen and then frozen again.

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

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

How long do peas last? That depends. How long do carrots 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 Peas 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 Peas.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Peas 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!