Prep

How long does canned food last?

Look up 50 pantry foods, from canned beans to tea bags. You'll see how long each one keeps unopened and opened, with a page on storing it and what to look for.

Throw away, without tasting, any can that's bulging, leaking, heavily rusted or deeply dented, or that spurts when opened.

50 foods

Canned and jarred food

FoodUnopenedOpened, pantryOpened, refrigerator
Canned vegetables, beans and soup2 to 5 yearsNot recommended3 to 4 days
Canned fruit and tomatoes12 to 18 monthsNot recommended5 to 7 days
Canned meat5 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper3 to 4 days
Canned chicken5 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper3 to 4 days
Canned tuna3 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeperNo figure in FoodKeeper
Canned anchovies5 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper3 to 4 days
Refried beans3 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper2 to 3 days
Tomato paste27 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper5 days
Spaghetti sauce in jars18 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper4 days
Gravy in jars and cans2 to 5 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper1 to 2 days
Canned coconut milk2 to 5 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper4 days
Evaporated and condensed milk12 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper4 to 5 days
Shelf-stable milk6 to 12 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper5 to 7 days
Canned fruit cocktail18 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeperNo figure in FoodKeeper
Applesauce12 to 18 monthsNot recommended7 to 10 days

Dry food

FoodUnopenedOpened, pantryOpened, refrigerator
White rice2 years1 year6 months
Brown rice1 year1 year6 months
Dry pasta2 years1 yearNo figure in FoodKeeper
Dry egg noodles2 years1 to 2 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper
Dried beans1 to 2 years1 yearNo figure in FoodKeeper
Dried lentils1 year1 yearNo figure in FoodKeeper
Dried split peas1 year1 yearNo figure in FoodKeeper
Quinoa2 to 3 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeperNo figure in FoodKeeper
Oatmeal12 months6 to 12 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper
Ready-to-eat cereal6 to 12 months2 to 3 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper
White flour6 to 12 months6 to 8 months1 year
Whole wheat flour3 to 6 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper6 to 8 months
Instant potatoes10 to 15 months6 to 12 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper
Bouillon and dry soup mixes1 year1 yearNo figure in FoodKeeper
Baking powder6 to 18 months3 to 6 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper
Dry yeast2 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper4 months

Jars and bottles

FoodUnopenedOpened, pantryOpened, refrigerator
Honey2 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeperNo figure in FoodKeeper
Jam and jelly6 to 18 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper6 to 12 months
Peanut butter6 to 24 months2 to 3 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper
Olive and vegetable oil6 to 12 months3 to 5 months4 months
Pickles1 yearNo figure in FoodKeeper1 to 3 months
Ketchup and chili sauce1 yearNo figure in FoodKeeper6 months
Mustard1 to 2 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper1 year
Mayonnaise3 to 6 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper2 months
Soy sauce3 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeper1 month
Vinegar2 yearsNo figure in FoodKeeperNo figure in FoodKeeper

Snacks

FoodUnopenedOpened, pantryOpened, refrigerator
Nuts in jars or cans1 year2 to 9 months4 to 6 months
Dried fruit6 months1 month6 months
Crackers8 months1 month3 to 4 months
Granola bars6 to 12 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeperNo figure in FoodKeeper
Baking chocolate1 to 2 years1 yearNo figure in FoodKeeper
Potato chips2 months1 to 2 weeksNo figure in FoodKeeper
Beef jerky12 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper2 to 3 months

Drinks

FoodUnopenedOpened, pantryOpened, refrigerator
Instant coffee1 year2 to 3 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper
Tea bags18 to 36 months6 to 12 monthsNo figure in FoodKeeper

Source: USDA FoodKeeper (CC0). Times are for quality. A few are not tied to the date of purchase: see each food's page.

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

How it works

Find a food in the table, or open its page for storage advice and warning signs. The times come from FoodKeeper, the food storage database of the US Department of Agriculture. We've checked all 50 rows against USDA's data file, version 128.

USDA FoodKeeper says: “Canned items will be safe to eat well past the 'use-by' or 'best by' date as long as the can shows no dents, rust, or swelling.” USDA's general rule is 12 to 18 months for high-acid cans such as tomatoes and fruit, and 2 to 5 years for low-acid cans such as meat and vegetables, for best quality.

These times are about quality. USDA says that except for infant formula, dates aren't an indicator of a product's safety and aren't required by federal law. A product should still be safe if handled properly until spoilage shows, as an off odor, flavor or texture.

Reading the table: times start from the date of purchase, except for the few foods whose pages say otherwise. Opened times start when you open the package. Where FoodKeeper gives no figure, we say so instead of guessing.

Example: an unopened can of tuna has a 3-year guide from FoodKeeper. If the can has a deep dent on a seam, is swollen or is heavily rusted, the dates don't matter: throw it out.

Common questions

Is canned food safe after the expiration date?

USDA says canned items will be safe to eat well past the date as long as the can shows no dents, rust or swelling. Quality can drop over time. Infant formula is the exception to USDA's general rule on dates: don't buy or use it after its Use-By date.

How long does canned food last in the pantry?

USDA gives 12 to 18 months for high-acid cans such as tomatoes and fruit, and 2 to 5 years for low-acid cans such as meat and vegetables, for best quality.

Can I eat canned food after 10 years?

We can't tell you it's fine. USDA's figures stop at 5 years, and it says that over several years food reacts with the can, changing taste and texture and eventually lowering its nutritional value. If a can is damaged in any way, throw it out, and if in doubt, throw it out.

Can I put an opened can in the refrigerator?

USDA says unused canned food may be refrigerated in the can, but it keeps its quality better in a glass or plastic container.

Is a dented can safe?

USDA says a small dent on a can that's otherwise in good shape should be safe. Throw away deeply dented cans. A deep dent is one you can lay your finger into, and a dent on a seam can let bacteria in.

Do these times cover home-canned food?

No. These are commercial products. USDA treats home-canned food separately, and says the risk of botulism is greater when safe canning procedures weren't followed. See its shelf-stable food page.

Sources

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

Next