Baking & cooking: how long does it last?

52 baking & cooking items with published storage times, 34 of them with a specific after-opening window.

Updated 2026-08-07 · Free · No sign-up

ItemAfter openingUnopened / otherStore at
Almond extract12 months2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Amaranth (flour, meal)2 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Baking powder3–6 months6–18 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Baking soda6 months2–3 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Barley (flour, meal)3 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Biscuit or pancake mix9 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Buckwheat (flour, meal)1 monthCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Butter flavor12 months2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Cake, brownie, bread mixes12–18 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Chili powder2 years2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Chocolate (unsweetened and semi-sweet, solid)1 year1–2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Cinnamon extract12 months2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Cinnamon rolls (baked)1–3 daysCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Cocoa and cocoa mixes1 yearIndefinitelyCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Coconut flavor12 months2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Coconut flour9–12 monthsRefrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Cornmeal (regular, degerminated)1 year6–12 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Cornmeal (stone ground or blue)2–4 months1 monthCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Cornstarch18 months18–24 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Farro (flour, meal)3 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Flavored or herb mixes6 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Flour (white)1 year6–12 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Flour (whole wheat)6–8 months3–6 monthsCool, dry pantry unopened; refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below after opening
Frosting or icing2–3 weeks10–12 monthsCool, dry pantry unopened; refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below after opening
Garam masala1 yearCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Garlic (chopped, commercial jars)8–12 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Gelatin (flavored)3–4 months10–12 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Gelatin (unflavored)Not recommended3 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Herbs (dried)1–2 years1–2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Lemon extract12 months2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Millet (flour, meal)1 monthCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Nut oils6–8 months6–12 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Oats (flour, meal)2 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Oils (olive or vegetable)4 months6–12 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Pure vanilla extract12 months2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Rye (flour, meal)3 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Seasoning blends1–2 years1–2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Shortening (solid)6–12 months1–2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Sorghum (flour, meal)2 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Spelt (flour, meal)3 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Spice/spices (ground)2–3 years2–3 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Spice/spices (whole)3–4 years3–4 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Sugar (brown)18–24 monthsIndefinitelyCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Sugar (confectioners)18–24 monthsIndefinitelyCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Sugar (granulated)18–24 monthsIndefinitelyCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Sugar substitutesIndefinitely2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Tamarind paste2–3 months6–12 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Tapiocas12 months12 monthsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Teff (flour, meal)2 monthsCool, dry pantry away from heat and light
Vegetable oil sprays1 year2 yearsCool, dry pantry, sealed — refrigerating after opening is optional and mainly preserves quality
Whole wheat flour2 yearsCool, dry pantry, or refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below to keep it longer
Yeast (packaged)4 months2 yearsCool, dry pantry unopened; refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below after opening

Tap any item for its full storage table, spoilage signs, and storage tips. A dash means no figure is published for that situation — not that it keeps forever.

Spotting spoilage in baking & cooking

General guidance for the category, not a per-product finding. When in doubt, throw it out.

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