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If you’ve ever tossed perfectly good food just because the date on the package passed, you’re not alone. Expiration dates can be confusing, and most aren’t hard safety cutoffs. In many cases, they simply reflect when a product is at its best quality, not when it suddenly becomes unsafe to eat.
When stored properly, many pantry staples and packaged foods can last well beyond the printed date without posing a risk. Understanding the difference between “best by,” “sell by,” and true spoilage can save you money and reduce unnecessary food waste.
Before you clean out your fridge or pantry, here are 14 foods you can often keep long past their expiration dates, as long as they’ve been handled and stored correctly.
Oats
Rolled oats can last for years when stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Watch out for pests or mold as signs of spoilage.
Peanut Butter
An unopened commercial peanut butter can remain edible for months, or even a year, past its expiration date if stored in a cool, dark place.
Natural peanut butter may separate, but it is still safe if there is no mold or rancid smell. Peanut butter that is not stored properly can go rancid.
Canned Goods
Canned food can stay safe for years as long as the can is intact. Watch out for rust, dents, or bulging—these are serious warning signs. Avoid handling damaged cans with your bare hands.
Leaking cans may contain botulism, a highly toxic substance. While high-acid foods like tomatoes may spoil more quickly than low-acid ones, they remain safe to eat when stored properly.
Dried Pasta
Dried pasta can last long after its original expiration date as long as it is kept in a sealed container away from moisture. However, it’s important to check for signs of mold or pests before cooking.
Baking Soda
Baking soda doesn’t spoil, but it may lose its baking power. It remains effective for cleaning, deodorizing, or as an antacid indefinitely.
Honey
Honey is virtually immortal. Its low moisture content and high acidity prevent bacterial growth. Store it in a tightly sealed container at room temperature. If it crystallizes, gently warm it to restore its texture.
Rice
White rice, when kept in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, can last for decades. Avoid brown rice, as its natural oils can go rancid over time. Add an O2 absorber to keep it fresh.
Dried Beans
Dried beans remain safe to eat indefinitely if stored in airtight containers away from moisture. Over time, they may take longer to cook, but still provide nutrition. They can taste a little stale if they’ve been exposed to air.
Salt
Salt doesn’t expire and is a natural preservative. Keep it in a dry, sealed container to prevent clumping from moisture exposure.
Sugar
Granulated sugar can last indefinitely when stored in a cool, dry place. Keep it in an airtight container to avoid contamination or moisture, which can cause clumping. Sugar can be prone to weevils. They won’t kill you, but they are unsightly.
Powdered Milk
When stored in airtight packaging and kept cool and dry, powdered milk can last for years beyond its expiration date. Look for signs of discoloration or an off smell before use. Even if it’s ‘expired’, it can often be used as a soup thickener or in bread.
Vinegar
White vinegar is self-preserving and doesn’t spoil, thanks to its high acidity. Store it in a sealed container away from sunlight.
Eggs
These won’t last indefinitely, but depending on how fresh the eggs are when they land in your store, you might be able to squeeze another week or two. A good way to check is to float the eggs in a bowl of water.
If an egg floats at the top, it’s no good. If it sinks, you’re good. If it kind of hovers in the middle, you’ve got a day or two before it goes rotten.
Hard Cheese
In the past, people would subsist on old, hard cheese and bread. Hard cheese has low moisture content and will last much longer than regular cheese. If it gets a white, powdery substance on it, you can simply cut off the white stuff.
