Pantry Staples
Let me
preface this by stating that the information I am about to throw down
pertains to unopened foods. For example, we all know that if you have
children and you open a box of cereal, there is a slim to none chance they will
seal the bag back properly, let alone shut the box. Just saying. That being
said, if you have a box of cereal that is unopened, you can
safely consume this for six to eight months past the expiration date on the
box. Truth be told, from a “safety” standpoint, an opened box of cereal will
probably still be edible for longer, but it may taste pretty stale.
Along
these lines, dry pasta will be safe to consume roughly one to two years past
its expiration date. Cooked pasta doesn’t fare as well; in fact, that
should be tossed three to five days after cooking. But even if you won’t be
eating it right away, when you see a deal on pasta, go ahead and snag a few
boxes.
Refrigerator Staples
I always
found it odd that folks ran out to buy extra milk and bread when
fear of any inclement weather was forecast. These are two foods that always
come printed with an expiration date that’s relatively soon after purchase.
However, both are usually good anywhere from seven to ten days past their
expiration, provided they are stored properly—even after they’ve been opened.
Bread is
pretty obvious as it will begin to grow mold. Milk isn’t as obvious until you
pop the cap off. You will know instantly by the smell if it is safe to consume.
(You know what I am talking about.)
Believe
it or not, eggs can be consumed roughly three to four weeks past their
expiration date. If you are able to get fresh eggs that have not been
washed and packaged, you can keep fresh eggs at room temperature for several
months. (Once washed, however, they should be immediately stored in the
fridge.)
Frozen Meats and Seafood
Please
notice I said frozen and not raw. Raw meat and seafood should
generally be used before the expiration date, and you can usually tell just by
looking at it or feeling it when it’s passed its prime. Once frozen, ground
beef can last three or four months past the expiration date, seafood can
last six to nine months past the expiration date, and chicken and turkey
can go up to a year.
Frozen Fruits and Veggies
Provided
they aren’t freezer burned, frozen fruits and vegetables can last upwards of
one to two years. And some would argue that they can be healthier than fresh options depending on the variety and
how you are using them.
Canned Foods and Condiments
One would
assume canned goods are a relatively safe bet. Not exactly. These can
typically only be used one to two years past their expiration; however, canned
goods that are acidic (e.g., tomatoes), I personally would be a little leery
of.
The same
goes for three of the condiments we always have on hand in my house: ketchup,
mustard, and peanut butter. As long as they aren’t opened yet, they can
last upwards of a year beyond the expiration date.
Are There Forever Foods?
Are there
any foods you can keep around forever? You would be surprised at what research has
uncovered.
I am just
going to get this one out of the way because I know you are all wondering. Hard
Alcohol. This stuff lasts forever. (Although I am not sure how long that
bottle of water in my parent’s liquor cabinet lasted, or the exact moment when
they discovered I had replaced their vodka one summer before graduation.)
Rice. If stored properly, rice can
last forever. It can also fix your waterlogged electronics, but that’s for
another article.
Sugar and
salt can last
almost indefinitely. Sugar cannot support microbial growth, and salt, well,
salt is salt. So, this makes it a mineral, which cannot spoil. Along the lines
of sugar, honey is basically all sugar and contains almost no water. If
you ever notice your honey begin to crystalize, simply reheat it in a warm
water bath (not in the microwave!), and it will go right back to liquid form.
Same holds true for real maple syrup.
One of my
favorite ingredients/condiments is ACV (apple cider vinegar). Both apple
cider vinegar and white vinegar will hold their own for decades. Vinegar
contains a low pH and is technically a preserved food.
I would venture to say if you stockpile these foods, you will survive a zombie apocalypse.
If you are curious about a specific food that isn’t mentioned, foodsafety.gov has a super cool app you can download here: FoodSaver App
Basically most foods will last long, provided you store them properly, handle them carefully, like when using pickle, with dry hands and dry spoon. Same goes for most foods, handle them with dry hands, when moisture is kept away, that itself helps prevent food from spoiling.