Pantry Staples Guide: When It’s Time to Throw Things Out

Pantry staples are staples because you use them in everything but also because they can last a while. Read that again: a while. Not forever. Regardless of how long you’ve actually kept your flour, sugar, and bbq sauce, at some point, they go past their prime.

Related: 12 Must-Haves for a Latin Pantry

So every three months, do a quick sweep of your pantry and replace items that aren’t fresh anymore. Though they may pass the smell test, they may not actually perform their best in cooking (we’re looking at you baking soda). If you want don’t want to throw out an item, make space for it in your freezer, where you can add some longevity.

From nuts and oils to flours and grains, here’s how long everything lasts. [pagebreak]

What Lasts Forever

Pure vanilla extract

Pure Maple Syrup

Vinegar: Apple Cider and White

Honey

White Rice

Corn starch

Baking Soda

Sugar

Salt [pagebreak]

What Lasts a Year or More

Flour: White keeps indefinitely, whole wheat lasts up to three months or indefinitely in the freezer

Brown Rice

Dry Pasta

Oats

Quinoa

Oil: veggie and olive oil

Spices (up to two years)

Chocolate Chips (up to two years)

Condiments (up to a year): BBQ Sauce, ketchup, mustard, jams and jellies

Hot Sauce (up to three years)

Salsa (up to a year)

Worcestershire Sauce (up to four years)

Tea (up to two years)[pagebreak]

What Lasts Less than a Year

Whole Bean Coffee (up to nine months)

Soft Drinks 9 (up to nine months)

Nuts (up to six months)

Juice Boxes (up to six months)[pagebreak]

What Lasts Less than Six Months

Ground Coffee (up to five months)

Coconut oil (up to three months)

Nut Butters (up to three months)

Mayo (up to three months)