Nuts Belong in the Freezer, Not the Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Should nuts be kept in the freezer? ›

Store sealed nuts in the freezer.

“Keeping nuts at freezer temperatures dramatically slows down the rate that oxidation occurs,” says McNeil. Overbay estimates that most nuts will stay fresh for at least a year if properly stored in the freezer.

Tips to Safely Store Nuts. Contrary to popular belief, nuts should be stored in the fridge or freezer as opposed to a room temperature pantry. Why? Because nuts contain a high amount of unsaturated fat, a delicate type of oil, which makes them highly prone to going rancid.

Store nuts and seeds at room temperature for 3 months, fridge for 6 months and freezer for a year. Label containers with the date of purchase to keep track of which to consume first. Pecans, peanuts, and walnuts spoil faster, store them in the fridge first if space is limited.

When your refrigerator stash is running low, it's time to "refill from the freezer to the jars in the fridge." Stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, nuts will last for four to six months, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Meanwhile, in the freezer, they'll last for at least one year.

A: Nuts can't expire; however, they can change in taste or go rancid.

Nuts' fragile unsaturated fats can go rancid quickly. While that may not hurt your health, it can definitely be bad news for flavor. Keep nuts tasting fresh by stowing them in a sealed plastic or glass container in the refrigerator for four to six months.

CONTAINERS. When choosing a container, use one that is airtight. You can use Tupperware, plastic baggies, freezer bags, or even mason jars.

They can be kept in the refrigerator with many of the same benefits, but will only stay fresh for about half as long as if they were stored in the freezer. Due to their tendency to absorb odors, nuts should be kept in an airtight container away from pungent ingredients like onions and garlic.

Nuts should be stored in their own airtight containers, such as glass, ceramic, or sturdy plastic containers. Even freezer bags are a good option. In selecting the container it's important to assess them for their airtightness.

“Texture-wise they lose their crunch and become softer. Color-wise they might darken a little bit,” he says, describing the flavor as “floury and bland.” Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature.

How to organize nuts in a pantry? ›

You'll notice a theme with how to store nuts and seeds: the colder, the better. If you plan to use them in the immediate future, it's fine to store the airtight containers in a cool, dark spot in your pantry. To keep them fresh for much longer, store your nuts and seeds in the refrigerator or the freezer.

All nuts (except for coconuts) are suspect for mold: Brazil nuts, pistachios, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and cashews are some of the worst offenders, even though they're some of the healthiest fats for weight loss. Uh, so what's the risk from Nut Milk?

If stored in the refrigerator, however, these healthy fat sources can last up to six months. But the freezer is really where it's at when it comes to storing nuts, as they can easily last up to a year in there—with some experts saying up to two years! Plus, you won't even notice that your nuts have been frozen.

According to Lindsay, you can keep an unopened bag of shelled or in-shell nuts in the fridge or freezer for two years (!). Even if the bag's been opened, shelled nuts should last an entire year, and in-shell nuts will last about a year and a half.

The shelf life is 12-14 months sealed. Once opened, we recommend using the butters within 3 months. Do I need to refrigerate your products? While it's not necessary to refrigerate our products, we recommend doing so to keep the naturally occurring oils from separating.

“Texture-wise they lose their crunch and become softer. Color-wise they might darken a little bit,” he says, describing the flavor as “floury and bland.” Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature.

Answer. Most shoppers are not aware that it is important to store walnuts in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain freshness, instead of the pantry. Proper storage is important to protect the essential plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in walnuts.

Unshelled pecans can last between two and four years in the freezer and taste great when you take them out. Roasted, salted or candied pecans also do well in the freezer, thanks to the extra layer of insulation.