How to store pantry food
Where to keep bottled water, broth, canned food, coffee, juice, pickles, rice, and tea, and how long each one lasts there, straight from its own guide.
Food storage chart
How long each food keeps at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer.
| Food | Room temperature | Fridge | Freezer | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottled water | indefinitely | Not given | Not given | |
| Broth | until use-by date | 3-4 days | 2-3 months | |
| Canned food | 2-5 years low acid, 12-18 months high acid | 3-4 days low acid, 5-7 days high acid | Not given | |
| Coffee | 2 weeks-5 months | 1-4 months | 6 months-2 years | |
| Juice | until use-by date | 7-10 days | 8-12 months | |
| Pickles | 1 year | 1-3 months | Not given | |
| Rice | up to 2 years | 4-6 days | up to 6 months | |
| Tea | 18-36 months | Not given | Not given | |
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Does water expire? How long bottled water lasts
Commercially bottled water keeps indefinitely in the pantry, says USDA FoodKeeper, though sunlight and storage conditions can change its taste.
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How long does chicken broth last in the fridge?
Opened chicken broth lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and so does homemade broth. Both keep their best quality 2 to 3 months frozen.
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How long does canned food last?
Low-acid canned food keeps best quality 2 to 5 years and high-acid 12 to 18 months. It stays safe past the date if the can has no dents, rust, or swelling.
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How long does coffee last, opened or not?
Opened whole coffee beans last 3 to 5 months in the pantry, opened store-bought ground coffee 2 weeks, and opened instant coffee 2 to 3 months.
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Do peanut butter and other condiments go bad?
Commercial peanut butter lasts 2 to 3 months in the pantry once opened. Shelf-stable ketchup and mustard stay safe at room temperature after opening.
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Does lemon juice go bad? How long juice lasts
Opened bottled lemon juice lasts 2 months in the fridge and opened orange juice 7 to 10 days. Times for fresh juice, juice boxes, and more.
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Questions people ask
How long can cooked rice sit out?
No more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C). Bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C).
Can kimchi go bad?
Yes. Kimchi keeps 6 to 12 months in the refrigerator, counted from the date you buy it.
Do coffee beans go bad?
Yes, whole beans have a limited storage time. USDA FoodKeeper gives them 3 to 5 months in the pantry and 3 to 4 months in the fridge after opening.
Does bottled water go bad?
Commercially bottled water doesn't go bad in storage, since USDA FoodKeeper says it keeps indefinitely. Its taste can change with sunlight, nearby items, and the container.
How long does fresh lemon juice last?
Fresh squeezed lemon juice lasts 6 days in the refrigerator and 12 months in the freezer.
Does green tea expire?
Yes, green tea bags and loose green tea keep 6 to 12 months in the pantry after opening, the same as other tea. Unopened, tea bags keep 18 to 36 months and loose tea 2 years.