Expiration dates can make people uneasy about food safety, but sometimes, you should take them with a pinch of salt. Not all foods spoil immediately after these dates, with many remaining safe and edible beyond their printed expiration dates. You should obviously approach with caution, but this list underlines some common types of food that are usually all good to eat after the packaging claims they’ve expired.
Tinned Vegetables
As Good Housekeeping points out, because they are preserved in airtight containers, tinned vegetables are protected from bacteria and spoilage and can last for well past a year. The high salt content acts as a natural preservative, keeping them safe even after the expiry date. As long as the can isn’t damaged, you can often enjoy canned vegetables months or, sometimes, even years later.
Honey
Another famous example of foods you can eat after they “expire” is honey, which is a natural sweetener with impressive longevity. In fact, honey never goes bad due to its low water content and high acidity, which prevent bacteria growth. Properly stored honey remains safe to eat well after its expiration date, though it may crystallize over time.
Dried Pasta
Contrary to popular belief, dried pasta has a very long shelf life, usually lasting at least two years. Assuming it’s kept in a cool, dry place, it can remain safe to eat long after the expiration date. While the texture might slightly change, it’s perfectly fine to cook and consume as long as there are no signs of mold or discoloration.
Hard Cheeses
While not all cheeses are good after their expiry date, hard cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino are aged and low in moisture, which helps prevent spoilage. Even after the expiration date, they can remain safe to eat. Even if mold appears on the surface, simply cut it off, and the rest of the cheese will still be good to consume.
White Rice
Just like with dried pasta, white rice is a non-perishable food that lasts a long time in storage. When kept in a sealed container away from moisture, white rice remains safe to eat well after its expiry date. Its lack of oils prevents it from going rancid, unlike its brown rice counterpart, which spoils faster.
Dark Chocolate
A lot of people don’t realize that because dark chocolate contains less dairy than milk chocolate, its shelf life is significantly extended. When stored properly in a cool, dry place, it can be safely eaten after its expiry date. It may develop a white coating called “bloom,” but this is harmless and doesn’t affect the taste or safety.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter, particularly the smooth variety, has a low moisture content, making it less prone to bacteria. While it might separate or harden over time, it can still be safely consumed beyond its expiration date. Just stir the separated oil back in, and you’re all good.
Vinegar
It shouldn’t be too surprising to learn that vinegar, especially white distilled vinegar and apple cider vinegar, remains safe to use indefinitely. It is naturally acidic, preventing the growth of bacteria and mold. Over time, its flavor may change slightly, but it doesn’t spoil. You can use it in recipes or for cleaning purposes even well beyond its expiry date. This is also the case for many vinegar-based condiments, such as HP sauce.
Soy Sauce
Another sauce you can safely eat after it apparently expires is soy sauce, which is rich in salt acting as a natural preservative. Stored in a cool, dark place, it remains safe to consume long after its expiration date. While it may lose some of its potency, its taste and safety generally stay intact for months or even years.
Dried Beans
Particularly if they’re tinned, dried beans can last well beyond their expiration date when stored in a cool, dry place. They may take longer to cook as they age, but they are still safe to eat. Their nutritional value remains intact, making them a reliable source of protein and fiber for years.
Rolled Oats
Porridge and other types of rolled oats have a low moisture content, which helps them stay fresh well past their expiration date. Properly stored in an airtight container, they don’t spoil easily at all.
Pickles
Perhaps unsurprisingly, pickles last for ages as they’re preserved in a salty brine, maintaining their safety even after their expiration date. The acidic environment created by vinegar and salt prevents bacterial growth. It’s possible that they’ll lose their crunch, but the taste will still be great.
Powdered Milk
If you’re looking to make your milk last longer, remember: powdered milk has a much longer shelf life than fresh milk. Stored in a cool, dry place, it can be safely consumed far beyond its expiration date. Its powdered form keeps bacteria at bay, so simply reconstitute it as needed for cooking or baking, even after the printed date has passed.
Nuts
Assuming you store them in airtight containers, most nuts remain safe to eat well after their expiration date. They will lose their freshness, but their nutritional benefits and taste can still be enjoyed. However, avoid any nuts with an off smell, as this indicates rancidity.
Instant Coffee
If you leave a jar of instant coffee open, it will retain moisture and go bad. However, as long as you keep the lid on, its freeze-dried or dehydrated nature will make its shelf life last for a very long time.
Hard Salami
People often overlook how hard salami is cured and dried, which means it’s safe to eat long after its best-before date. It has a low moisture content and high salt concentration that prevent bacterial growth, so as long as it’s stored properly and there’s no visible mold, it can be enjoyed for months afterward.
Sugar
You probably don’t need to be told that sugar is a natural preservative and, therefore, does not support the growth of bacteria or mold. Stored in a dry environment, it remains safe to consume indefinitely. It may harden over time, but breaking it apart makes it perfectly usable for baking, cooking, or sweetening your favorite drinks.
Popcorn Kernels
Popcorn kernels can last indefinitely when stored in a cool, dry place. They remain safe to consume even after their expiration date, although older kernels might not pop as well or as fully.