Shelf Life Tips
- How long do dried great northern beans last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of dried great northern beans store in a cool, dry area.
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How long do dried great northern beans last at room temperature? Properly stored, dried great northern beans will generally stay at best quality for about 2 to 3 years at normal room temperature, although they will usually remain safe to use after that.
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To maximize the shelf life of dried great northern beans, keep the package tightly closed at all times.
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To further maximize the shelf life of dried great northern beans once the package is opened, transfer dried great northern beans to a covered airtight container or place the dried great northern beans package in a resealable plastic freezer bag.
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Are dried great northern beans safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the package is undamaged - commercially packaged dried great northern beans will typically carry a " Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the dried great northern beans will remain at peak quality.
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Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the dried great northern beans' texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, they will still be safe to consume if they have been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
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How can you tell if dried great northern beans are bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the dried great northern beans: if the dried great northern beans develop an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold or insects appear, they should be discarded.
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