Having a stockpile of basic cooking and baking ingredients is smart and convenient. It's comforting to know that you won't have to run to the store for sugar every time you want a batch of cookies. But how long do your favorite ingredients last?
Believe it or not, some of them last forever! Here's a list of ingredients with an indefinite shelf life, so stock up your pantry shelves. You'll also find out the best way to store each one.
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1. Sugar
Never worry about an unsatisfied sweet tooth again; sugar never goes bad! If you're storing it long term, granulated sugar may harden into clumps, but it's is still fine to use.
Storage tip: Place in an airtight container or heavy-duty plastic bag. Store in a cool, dry area, according to Thrifty Jinxy.
Never worry about an unsatisfied sweet tooth again; sugar never goes bad! If you're storing it long term, granulated sugar may harden into clumps, but it's is still fine to use.
Storage tip: Place in an airtight container or heavy-duty plastic bag. Store in a cool, dry area, according to Thrifty Jinxy.
2. Honey
As long as you buy 100 percent pure honey, it will last indefinitely. Don't be nervous if it changes color or even crystallizes. That doesn't mean it has spoiled.
Storage tip: All Self Sustained recommends storing honey in a cool, dry area and keeping the lid on tight. It if does crystallize, simply place the container in warm water until it liquefies. If needed, stir to help the crystals dissolve.
As long as you buy 100 percent pure honey, it will last indefinitely. Don't be nervous if it changes color or even crystallizes. That doesn't mean it has spoiled.
Storage tip: All Self Sustained recommends storing honey in a cool, dry area and keeping the lid on tight. It if does crystallize, simply place the container in warm water until it liquefies. If needed, stir to help the crystals dissolve.
3. Rice
White rice is versatile, filling and best of all cheap! Stored correctly, white rice varieties have a lifelong shelf life. However, keep your eye on brown rice; it has a higher oil content and therefore does not last as long.
Storage tip: Store in a cool, dry area. Make sure to properly reseal the container after opening the bag. If needed, you can use a heavy-duty freezer bag, according to Still Tasty.
White rice is versatile, filling and best of all cheap! Stored correctly, white rice varieties have a lifelong shelf life. However, keep your eye on brown rice; it has a higher oil content and therefore does not last as long.
Storage tip: Store in a cool, dry area. Make sure to properly reseal the container after opening the bag. If needed, you can use a heavy-duty freezer bag, according to Still Tasty.
4. Salt
While seasoned salts have ingredients that can spoil, iodized salt, table salt and sea salt never go bad. According to Home and Gardening Ideas, if too much moisture has made your salt clumpy, simply break it apart and use it as normal.
Storage tip: Store in an airtight container. Love Sea Salt warns to never store your salt in a metal container. Salt has corrosive properties and can eat away at the surface of metal and cause rust or contamination.
While seasoned salts have ingredients that can spoil, iodized salt, table salt and sea salt never go bad. According to Home and Gardening Ideas, if too much moisture has made your salt clumpy, simply break it apart and use it as normal.
Storage tip: Store in an airtight container. Love Sea Salt warns to never store your salt in a metal container. Salt has corrosive properties and can eat away at the surface of metal and cause rust or contamination.
5. White Distilled Vinegar
Vinegar has an endless list of uses, so it's an incredibly useful ingredient to keep on hand. Use it for pickling or canning to preserve your food. Or try it as a cleaning agent; you can even use vinegar as an antiseptic and deodorizer, according to Home and Gardening Ideas.
Storage tip: Store in a cool, dry place.
Vinegar has an endless list of uses, so it's an incredibly useful ingredient to keep on hand. Use it for pickling or canning to preserve your food. Or try it as a cleaning agent; you can even use vinegar as an antiseptic and deodorizer, according to Home and Gardening Ideas.
Storage tip: Store in a cool, dry place.
6. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is another useful ingredient that will last indefinitely on your pantry shelf. It's a great thickening agent to get the perfect consistency in your gravies and sauces.
Storage tip: All Self Sustained advises storing it in a cool, dry area. Consider ditching the box for a glass jar or plastic tub.
Cornstarch is another useful ingredient that will last indefinitely on your pantry shelf. It's a great thickening agent to get the perfect consistency in your gravies and sauces.
Storage tip: All Self Sustained advises storing it in a cool, dry area. Consider ditching the box for a glass jar or plastic tub.
7. Maple Syrup
Like honey, it's essential you buy the right type of syrup to ensure it lasts forever: 100 percent pure maple syrup. Don't worry if the syrup crystallizes after long-term storage; it won't spoil, and the flavor will still be delicious.
Storage tip: According to All Self Sustained, you should refrigerate your maple syrup after opening the container. If you are storing it indefinitely, you can freeze it in an airtight container.
Like honey, it's essential you buy the right type of syrup to ensure it lasts forever: 100 percent pure maple syrup. Don't worry if the syrup crystallizes after long-term storage; it won't spoil, and the flavor will still be delicious.
Storage tip: According to All Self Sustained, you should refrigerate your maple syrup after opening the container. If you are storing it indefinitely, you can freeze it in an airtight container.
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8. Pure Vanilla Extract
If you happen upon a great sale on pure vanilla extract, be sure to stock up because it keeps forever.
Storage tip: Still Tasty warns to keep your vanilla away from high levels of heat, moisture and light; if exposed, vanilla extract could lose its aroma and flavor.
If you happen upon a great sale on pure vanilla extract, be sure to stock up because it keeps forever.
Storage tip: Still Tasty warns to keep your vanilla away from high levels of heat, moisture and light; if exposed, vanilla extract could lose its aroma and flavor.