This might be due to mold that’s starting to grow under the surface, or something else entirely. Either way, if your lentils smell stale, rancid (there’s a trace amount of fat in lentils), or funky in any possible way, get rid of them. If you’re not confident that your 5-years-old lentils are safe to eat, assume they aren’t and toss them.
It’s not an expiration date and has nothing to do with food safety. And when it comes to dry lentils (similar to dried beans ), they keep well for months or even years past that date, depending on storage conditions. Before you cook the lentils, sort through them to pick out any debris, and then rinse them to remove dirt.
Dried lentils can last for as long as two to three years if stored properly in a cool, dark and dry location in your kitchen or pantry. Even after three years, you can safely eat them. Rather than expiration dates, lentils commonly have a “best if used by” date printed on the packaging.
The next thing we asked ourselves was: do lentils go bad after the date?
Lets dig in! of course, lentils won’t instantly go bad after the date. As long as the products are stored in ideal conditions and the packaging is still perfect, you can expect that they last for a few more months to a year after the date. Once opened, dry lentils are best to use within a year.
While writing we ran into the query “How long do lentils last at room temperature?”.
Properly stored, dried lentils 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. To maximize the shelf life of dried lentils, keep the package tightly closed at all times.
Why do lentils shed their skins when cooking?
Older lentils take much longer to cook and often shed their skins during cooking. Follow this tip: Look to bulk bins when buying lentils, as they tend to have higher turnover so they’ll likely be fresher than those in boxes or bags in the shelf.
How to store raw lentils?
You can store raw lentils similarly to how you store other dry seeds or grains, such as quinoa. The crucial part is to keep it dry and limit access to excess moisture. Store lentils in the original package in a dry, cool area, away from the source of light and heat. Your pantry is preferable, but a kitchen cupboard or cabinet is excellent as well.
Yes, if you prepare much more than you eat for a week, freezing cooked lentils can prolong the shelf life up to 3 to 6 months. However, the flavor and texture may degrade over time.
Why are my lentils crunchy in the middle?
Editor: First, I wonder how old your lentils are. If they’re more than a year or two old, they will often stay crunchy in the middle no matter how long you cook them! Another trick is to wait to add salt or acidic ingredients until near the end of cooking.