How long does dry yeast last?

FoodKeeper gives dry yeast 2 years unopened, as a guide to quality. Once opened, that's 4 months in the refrigerator.

How to store it

Store unopened packs somewhere cool and dry. FoodKeeper says yeast must be refrigerated or frozen once opened, which is why there's no pantry figure. It gives 4 months in the refrigerator, or 6 months in the freezer.

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

What to look for

Test old yeast before baking with it: stir it into warm water with a pinch of sugar. If it foams, it's alive. If it doesn't, your bread won't rise.

USDA says spoiled food develops an off odor, flavor or texture, and that if it has, you shouldn't eat it.

Worth knowing

Yeast doesn't turn unsafe with age so much as stop working, which is why it's worth testing before you rely on it.

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.

Where FoodKeeper gives no figure, we say so instead of guessing. The date printed on a package is the manufacturer's, and it's about quality except on infant formula.

Common questions

How long does dry yeast last unopened?

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

How long does dry yeast keep once opened?

FoodKeeper gives no figure for an opened pack in the pantry. 4 months in the refrigerator.

Does dry yeast go bad after the date on the package?

USDA says dates are about quality, except on infant formula. A product should still be safe if handled properly until spoilage shows, so check for an off smell, taste or texture.

What should I look for before using dry yeast?