Lentils are edible seeds that belong to the Legumes family clipped in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and South Asia. These are called a source of iron. Lentils are available in cans, frozen, and in dry forms. Dry Lentils can be used by soaking them in the liquid for some time. You can also cook and enjoy them.
As it is known that dry foods go bad eventually, but for Lentils, you have plenty more time before they can go bad. It also depends on the storage conditions you are storing them. If you are storing them right, you can use them for years.
Contents
- How to Store Lentils?
- Can you freeze Lentils?
- How long does Lentils last?
- How to Tell If Lentils Is Bad?
- Sources
- FAQs
- How do you know if lentils have gone bad?
- Is it OK to eat expired lentils?
- How long can dried lentils last?
- Do dried beans and lentils go bad?
- How old lentils can you eat?
- Do dried beans ever go bad?
- Can I eat 10 year old lentils?
- Do dry lentils go bad after expiration date?
- Do old lentils take longer to cook?
- Will old lentils soften?
How to Store Lentils?
The best you can do to store Lentils is to find a cool and dry place for them, as every other bean is stored in a place away from moisture, heat, and light.
Dry Lentils
As for dry lentils whichever color they are, the storage guidelines are straight. You can store your dry Lentils as mentioned above, away from heat and light.
Store them in their original packaging as you brought them from the market or store. A pantry is preferable but a cupboard in the kitchen will also work.
If you have an opened packet of them, you can store them in the same place as with the unopened ones, by sealing it tightly or transferring it to a sealed jar.
Canned Lentils
Now moving to the canned or tinned Lentils, they are stored the same way as other cans or tins are stored. This means that unopened cans are stored in a spot away from moisture, heat, and sources of light. A pantry would be the best spot for it.
If you have an opened can of Lentils, then you should seal it by transferring it to a sealed container and then refrigerate it.
Cooked Lentils
If you have some leftover cooked Lentils, you can store them the same way you store your cooked meals. Let them cool down a bit, transfer them to an airtight container, seal the container and then place it in the fridge.
It will be good if you use a shallow container for storing your cooked Lentils because it could make the cooling process a lot quicker than usual.
Can you freeze Lentils?
If you want to store cooked Lentils for a longer-term, you can freeze them. So that whenever you need them you can reheat them and use them in your meals. However, freezing them may result in the decay of their flavor and texture.
Cooked Lentils
Freezing them isnt a big deal. You can freeze them by following these steps:
- Put some pressure on the lentils after youve cooked them to strain them.
- Put them in a plastic bag and remove all the air from the bag. You can also use glass containers. After putting them in the glass container you should leave a space for up to 1 inch so that it may provide some space for them to expand during the freezing process.
- Label all the plastic bags or containers with the date. So that you can use them safely.
Canned Lentils
Sometimes you are left with leftovers in canned lentils and you want to store them for a longer period. You can do so by freezing them. They can last longer in the freezer than in the fridge.
For this purpose, you should wash them thoroughly with cold water.
Seal them in the plastic bag, freezer bag, or airtight container and then put them in the freezer. They can last up to 2 months in the freezer.
How long does Lentils last?
You can find both canned and dry lentils in the grocery store, but you should prefer dry ones. Because dry lentils have a longer shelf life. Dry lentils packets also come with an expiration date.
However, they can last long past the expiration date. The date is just an estimate for the lentils quality. They have a benefit for their dried texture. It allows them to avoid them to grow and mold or bacterial growth.
If they are stored properly, they can last up to 2 to 3 years at room temperature. However, it doesnt mean that they are not safe after this period. Unopened Canned lentils will keep their quality for up to 2 years.
How to Tell If Lentils Is Bad?
The following points will clarify the facts that now your lentils have now gone bad.
- You may find bugs or insects in the package of the lentils. However they dont make them bad, but after seeing that you may not want to eat them.
- You can also notice some signs of mold inside the packaging. This may happen due to some water droplets that may have got in the package.
- If the can is rusted, leaked, or dented you should discard it.
- You may notice an off smell or odd taste which is obviously not a good sign.
Sources
- Does It Go Bad?
- Lentils Shelf Life: Can It Go Bad?
- Can You Freeze Lentils?
FAQs
How do you know if lentils have gone bad?
How can you tell if dried lentils are bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the dried lentils: if the dried lentils develop an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold or insects appear, they should be discarded.
Is it OK to eat expired lentils?
If you notice expired lentils in your cabinet, can you use them? Chances are, that you can use them safely. Lentils do not contain meat or eggs which can be extremely dangerous to consume out of date. Additionally, their dried nature makes them less susceptible to bacterial growth.
How long can dried lentils last?
Food experts suggest that for the best flavor and presentation, use dried lentils within one year. Discard any lentils that are exposed to dampness or insect activity. Much like rice, lentils absorb water and double in size when cooked. Cooked lentils may be refrigerated up to one week in a sealed container.
Do dried beans and lentils go bad?
Dried beans are considered non-perishable. After two to three years, the nutritional value starts diminishing, and all vitamins will be gone after five. (Warm storage temperatures will speed up that quality decrease, too.) But that doesn’t mean you couldn’t cook and eat them after 10 years if you really wanted to.
How old lentils can you eat?
Store dried lentils in an airtight container in the cupboard or in a cool dry place for up to one year. Cover and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. Dried lentils that have been cooked can be kept covered in the fridge for 5-7 days or frozen for up to 6 months.
Do dried beans ever go bad?
According to the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, “if stored properly in a cool, dry place, they have a minimum shelf life of one year, keeping indefinitely and withstanding harsh or tropical environments.”
Can I eat 10 year old lentils?
They stay safe for months and even years longer, but their nutritional value diminishes over time. After about 5 years, most of the vitamin content is pretty much gone. If you buy them packaged, dried lentils usually come with a best-by date, which indicates how long the product should retain peak quality.
Do dry lentils go bad after expiration date?
How Long Will Dried Lentils Keep? Dried lentils retain best quality for 2 to 3 years, which is usually 1 to 2 years past the date on the label, if you keep them in a cool and dry place. They stay safe to eat for years longer but lose most of their vitamin content over time.
Do old lentils take longer to cook?
It is critical to get the freshest lentils available. Older lentils take much longer to cook and often shed their skins during cooking.
Will old lentils soften?
Fresh lentils really make a big difference in the taste and texture of your meals. Old lentils will often split, the will either be mushy (often because they split) or tough and unable to soften. Choose red lentils for their sweet nutty taste. They soften easily and can be mushy, making them perfect for soup and puree.