Prep

How long does beef jerky last?

FoodKeeper gives beef jerky 12 months unopened, as a US guide to quality. Once opened, that's 2 to 3 months in the fridge.

These are US figures, for quality. They come from USDA FoodKeeper. The date on a UK pack comes first, and Food Standards Agency rules take priority: never eat food after its use-by date. Best before is about quality.

How to store it

Commercial jerky keeps on the shelf until opened. USDA says commercially produced jerky is safe at room temperature. Keep any oxygen sachet in the bag, but don't eat it.

Keep it cool and dry. USDA says temperatures below 85°F (about 29°C) are best, and to avoid anywhere above or beside the cooker, under the sink, or in a damp garage or cellar. Reseal opened packs, or decant them into something airtight.

What to look for

Check for a broken seal, mould, or a sour smell. Packs that have puffed up shouldn't be eaten.

USDA says spoiled food develops an off smell, taste or texture. The FSA says you can smell food with a best before date to see if it has spoiled, but that the sniff test isn't safe for food with a use-by date.

Worth knowing

Home-dried jerky has a much shorter life: USDA gives 1 to 2 months. The times on this page are for commercially packaged jerky.

Similar foods

From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.

How it works

FoodKeeper is USDA's food storage database. Its figures are guides to quality for food stored at cool room temperature, not safety cut-offs, and we show them as USDA gives them. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase. Opened times start when you open the pack.

There's no UK shelf-life dataset, so these figures are from the US. The date on your pack comes first. On a UK pack, use by is about safety and best before is about quality, so never rely on this page to go past a use-by date.

Common questions

How long does beef jerky last unopened?

12 months, according to USDA FoodKeeper, as a guide to best quality. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase.

How long does beef jerky keep once opened?

FoodKeeper gives no figure for an opened pack in the cupboard. 2 to 3 months in the fridge.

Can I eat beef jerky after the best before date?

Best before is about quality, so beef jerky past that date is usually safe, but may not be as good. A use-by date is different: never eat food after it.

What should I look for before using beef jerky?

Check for a broken seal, mould, or a sour smell. Packs that have puffed up shouldn't be eaten.

Sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Checked on 2 November 2026. This is an independent tool and not official advice. See sources and method.

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