Nuts Belong in the Freezer, Not the Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Nuts Belong in the Freezer, Not the Pantry? ›

Contrary to popular belief, nuts should be stored in the fridge or freezer as opposed to a room temperature pantry. Why? Because nuts contain a high amount of unsaturated fat, a delicate type of oil, which makes them highly prone to going rancid.

When storing nuts, the freezer is your friend. This dark, cold space slows the deterioration of the nut's oils, a process that directly impacts flavor. Light, oxygen, and heat are the enemies of nuts.

So to preserve them, it's best to store nuts in the refrigerator, says Richard LaMarita, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. The coolness of the refrigerator will keep unsaturated fats from breaking down, ultimately slowing down spoilage.

Shelf life of raw nuts

Depending on the type, they can range from six to nine months when stored in a pantry or other dry place. However, some types, such as pine nuts, have a shorter shelf life of approximately two months. On the other hand, almonds can last the longest, approximately nine to twelve months.

Pecans, peanuts, and walnuts spoil faster, store them in the fridge first if space is limited.

Tips to Safely Store Nuts. Contrary to popular belief, nuts should be stored in the fridge or freezer as opposed to a room temperature pantry. Why? Because nuts contain a high amount of unsaturated fat, a delicate type of oil, which makes them highly prone to going rancid.

There is little change in nutrient value during freezer storage.

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

Nuts should be stored in their own airtight containers, such as glass, ceramic, or sturdy plastic containers. Even freezer bags are a good option. In selecting the container it's important to assess them for their airtightness.

Start by sorting your bolts and nuts based on size, type, or thread pattern. Group similar items together, making locating specific hardware when needed easier. You can use separate bins, drawers, or containers for each category or utilize dividers within storage systems to keep them organized.

Which nuts are prone to mold? ›

All nuts (except for coconuts) are suspect for mold: Brazil nuts, pistachios, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and cashews are some of the worst offenders, even though they're some of the healthiest fats for weight loss.

While our tables list the time frame that nuts are good beyond their printed date, if you can't find any date on your package, you can expect most shelled varieties to last about 2 years. For opened packages, it's best to take a whiff before serving.

We let the nuts cool, placed them in zipper-lock freezer bags, and stored them in the freezer for a month. When brought back to room temperature, these nuts were indistinguishable from batches of freshly toasted nuts.

If stored in the refrigerator, however, these healthy fat sources can last up to six months. But the freezer is really where it's at when it comes to storing nuts, as they can easily last up to a year in there—with some experts saying up to two years!

For short-term storage, keep them in your refrigerator. If you'll be storing them for a month or longer, store them in your freezer. Prep as needed – shell, chop or grind walnuts right before using them. This will help maintain great flavor and optimal freshness.

Nuts are pricey these days, so you need to make sure you're storing them correctly for lasting freshness. Glass, plastic containers and our heavy, reclosable ziplock bags are good for storage. Metallic containers, light, moisture and heat will all conspire to spoil nuts more quickly.

Nuts retain quality for a year or more at refrigerator temperature (40°F [4°C] or below) or up to 2 years in the freezer (0°F [-18°C] or below). Shelled nuts absorb moisture and external flavors, so they should be packed in clean, moisture-free, and odor-tight packaging such as plastic or glass containers.