Cupboard Storage Chart http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_fnut/HRAP/STORAGE/cupstor.

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Cupboard Storage Chart

STAPLES
MIXES AND PACKAGED FOODS
CANNED AND DRIED FOODS
SPICES, HERBS, CONDIMENTS, AND EXTRACTS
OTHERS

STAPLES
RECOMMENDED
FOOD STORAGE TIME AT HANDLING HINTS
70° F
Baking Powder 18 months or expiration date Keep dry and covered.
on can
Baking Soda 2 years Keep dry and covered.
Bouillon Cubes or 2 years Keep dry and covered.
Granules
Cereals

ready-to-eat (unopened)
ready-to-eat (opened) 6-12 months*
cooked (before 2-3 months
preparation) 6 months Refold package liner tightly after opening.
Chocolate

premelted 12 months Keep cool.

semi-sweet 18 months
unsweetened 18 months
Chocolate Syrup
Cover tightly, refrigerate after opening.
unopened 2 years*
opened 6 months
Cocoa Mixes 8 months Cover tightly.
Coffee
2 years* Refrigerate after opening. Keep tightly
cans (unopened) 2 weeks closed, use dry measuring spoon.
cans (opened) 1-2 years*
instant (unopened) 2 months

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instant (opened)
Coffee lighteners (dry)
Keep lid tightly closed.
unopened 9 months*
opened 6 months
Cornmeal 12 months Keep tightly closed.
Cornstarch 18 months Keep tightly closed.
Flour
Keep in an airtight container.
white 6-8 months
Keep refrigerator. Store in airtight container
whole wheat 6-8 months
Gelatin, all types 18 months Keep in original container.
Grits 12 months Store in airtight container.
Honey 12 months Cover tightly; if crystallizes, warm jar in pan
of hot water.
Jellies, Jams 12 months Cover tightly. Storage life lengthened if
refrigerated after opening.
Molasses
Keep tightly closed. Refrigerate to extend
unopened 12 months+* storage life, remove any light surface mold
opened 6 months and use.
Marshmallow Cream 3-4 months Cover tightly. Refrigerate after opening to
(unopened) extend storage life. Serve at room
temperature.
Marshmallows 2-3 months Keep in airtight container.
Mayonnaise (unopened) 2-3 months Refrigerate after opening.
Milk
12 months
condensed or evaporated Invert cans every two months.
(unopened)
non-fat dry
(unopened) 6 months* Store in airtight container.
(opened) 3 months
Pasta (spaghetti, 2 years Once opened, store in airtight container.
macaroni, etc.)
Pectin, liquid (opened) 1 month Recap and refrigerate.
Pectin, liquid or dry 1 year or exp. date Recap and refrigerate.
Rice

white 2 years+ Keep tightly closed.

flavored or herb 6 months
Salad Dressings
Refrigerate after opening.
bottled (unopened) 10-12 months*
bottled (opened) 3 months
Refrigerate prepared dressing.
made from mix 2 weeks
Salad Oils
6 months*
unopened 1-3 months Refrigerate after opening.

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opened
Shortenings, solid 8 months Refrigeration not needed.
Sugar

brown 4 months Put in airtight container.

confectioners 18 months Put in airtight container.
granulated 2 years+ Cover tightly.
sweeteners 2 years+
Syrups 12 months Keep tightly closed. Refrigerate to extend
storage life, remove any light surface mold
and use.
Tea

bags 18 months Put in airtight container.

instant 3 years Cover tightly.
loose 2 years
Vinegar
Keep tightly closed. Slightly cloudy
unopened 2 years+ appearance doesn't affect quality. Distilled
opened 12 months vinegar keeps longer than cider vinegar.

MIXES AND PACKAGED FOODS

RECOMMENDED
FOOD STORAGE TIME AT HANDLING HINTS
70° F
Biscuit, Brownie, Muffin 9 months Keep cool and dry.
Mix
Cakes, purchased 1-2 days If butter-cream, whipped cream or custard
frostings, fillings, refrigerate.
Cake Mixes 9 months Keep cool and dry.

angel food 12 months

Casseroles, complete or 9-12 months Keep cool and dry.
add own meat
Cookies

homemade 2-3 weeks Put in airtight container.

packaged 2 months Keep box tightly closed.
Crackers 3 months Keep box tightly closed.
Frostings

canned 3 months Store leftovers in refrigerator.

mix 8 months
Hot-Roll Mix 18 months If opened, put in airtight container.
Pancake Mix 6-9 months Put in airtight container.
Pie Crust Mix 8 months Keep cool and dry.
Pies and Pastries 2-3 days Refrigerate whipped cream, custard, and
chiffon fillings.
Potatoes, Instant 6-12 months Keep airtight package.

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Pudding Mixes 12 months Keep cool and dry.

Rice Mixes 6 months Keep cool and dry.
Sauce and Gravy Mixes 6-12 months Keep cool and dry.
Soup Mixes 12 months Keep cool and dry.
Toaster Pastries 2-3 months Keep in airtight packet.

CANNED AND DRIED FOODS

RECOMMENDED
FOOD STORAGE TIME AT HANDLING HINTS
70° F
Canned Foods, all 12 months* Keep cool.
(unopened)
Canned Fruit Juices 9 months Keep cool.
Canned Foods, (opened)

baby foods 2-3 days

fish and seafood 2 days
All Opened Canned Foods - Refrigerate and
fruit 1 week
cover tightly; to avoid metallic taste, transfer
meats 2 days
foods in cans to glass or plastic storage
pickles, olives 1-2 months
containers, if kept more than one day.
poultry 2 days
sauce, tomato 5 days
vegetables 3 days
Fruits, Dried 6 months Keep cool, in airtight container; if possible,
refrigerate.
Vegetables, Dried 1 year Keep cool, in airtight container; if possible,
refrigerate.

SPICES, HERBS, CONDIMENTS, AND EXTRACTS

RECOMMENDED
FOOD STORAGE TIME AT HANDLING HINTS
70° F
Catsup, chili sauce

unopened 12 months*
Refrigerate for longer storage.
opened 1 month
Mustard, Prepared
Yellow

unopened 2 years* May be refrigerated. Stir before using.

opened 6-8 months
Spices and Herbs
Store in airtight containers in dry places
away from sunlight and heat. Check aroma; if
whole spices 1-2 years
faded, replace. Whole cloves, nutmeg, and
ground spices 6 months
cinnamon sticks maintain quality beyond two
herbs 6 months
year period.
herb/spice blend 6 months
Vanilla
2 years*
Keep tightly closed; volatile oils escape.
unopened 12 months

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opened
Other Extracts (opened) 12 months Keep tightly closed; volatile oils escape.
Vegetables, dehydrated 6 months
flakes

OTHERS
RECOMMENDED
FOOD STORAGE TIME AT HANDLING HINTS
70° F
Cheese, Parmesan-
grated
Refrigerate after opening. Keep tightly
unopened 10 months* closed.
opened 2 months
Coconut, Shredded-
canned or packaged

unopened 12 months* Refrigerate after opening.

opened 6 months
Meat Substitutes- 4 months Keep tightly closed; for longer storage,
textured protein products refrigerate.
(imitation bacon bits)
Metered-Caloric 6 months Keep in can, closed jars or original packets.
Products, instant
breakfast
Nuts

in shell
nutmeats packaged 4 months*
Refrigerate after opening. Freeze for longer
1 year*
storage. Unsalted and blanched nuts keep
vacuum can
longer than salted.
other packaging 3 months*

nutmeats (opened) 2 weeks

Peanut Butter
Refrigeration not needed.
unopened 6-9 months* Keeps longer if refrigerated. Serve at room
opened 2-3 months temperature.
Peas, beans-dried 12 months Store in airtight container in cool place.
Popcorn 2 years Store in an airtight container.
Vegetables, Fresh

onions 2 weeks Keep dry and away from sun.

potatoes For longer storage, keep about 50 degrees F.
white 2-4 weeks Don't refrigerate sweet potatoes.
sweet 1-2 weeks
Whipped Topping (dry) 12 months Keep cool and dry.
Yeast (dry) expiration date on package
*Total time "unopened" product can be stored at home. If recommendation is for "opened" product,
subtract this time from the total home storage or "unopened" time.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment
Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for
the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county
Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its
headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

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