Kitchen Basics

20 Foods You Can Still Eat After the Expiry Date

Posted by Karen Kwan. Last updated on April 30, 2020 by Melissa Girimonte

You find a box of crackers in your pantry that's past its best before date – do you still dig in? In many cases, expiration dates are important indicators of how safe the food is to consume, but with certain items, it can be used as more of a guideline. Here, we've rounded up 20 products that are fine to eat past the package date, so long as you take the proper precautions.

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Cake Mix

<p>Cake mixes are an easy way to whip up a dessert when you don’t feel like baking something from scratch. If you happened to stock up on packaged cake mix during a sale and haven’t used it all before the date on the box, don’t throw it away. You can still safely use the mix for four to five months beyond the expiry date as long as it’s been stored in a cool, dry place. Looking for a challenge? Here are some <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/spring-cake-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">beautiful cake recipes</a> to bake this spring.</p>
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Milk

<p>There’s nothing more unpleasant than discovering that your milk has gone sour or curdled, but did you know that it can still be good past the expiry date? If your milk is stored at a colder temperature toward the back of the fridge (versus storing it in the door), it can last up to 50 percent longer than the date on the carton — and even longer still if it’s pasteurized. As long as it still smells fresh, it should be safe to consume.</p>
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Applesauce

<p>Unopened jars of unrefrigerated applesauce can still be safely eaten up to 18 months following the best before date. The key is to store it in a cool, dark spot in your pantry. If you have an opened jar in your fridge and worried you won’t use it in time, pop it into an ice cube tray, freeze it and then store it in an airtight container to use for future baking projects.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/applesauce-pancakes/15514/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ree Drummond's Applesauce Pancakes</a></strong></p>
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Honey

<p>Store-bought honey comes with a best before date, but it doesn’t really spoil. The look of it can change over time — turning yellow and cloudy and then crystallizing — but it’s still safe to eat. The key to keeping it in its original state is storing it on the countertop in its original jar or bottle and not placing it in a dark cupboard or pantry. If it does crystallize, you can fix it by placing the bottle into a bowl of hot tap water until it is clear and golden once again.</p> <p>Stay inspired with this <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/bee-utiful-sweet-spring-birthday-party/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bee-utifully Sweet Spring Honey Cake</a></strong></p>
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Pudding Cups

<p>Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, a pudding cup is an easy way to indulge your sweet tooth in a pinch. There’s a good chance you won’t have to worry about it staying in your cupboard for long but if you find a package at the back of the pantry, it’s still good three to four weeks past its best before date. When you're short on time and craving a sweet treat, try one of these easy <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/4-ingredient-dessert-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4-ingredient desserts</a>.</p>
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Canned Goods

<p>The expiry date of canned foods usually indicates three years from when it's been shelved, but you can consume them past the date for up to four more years. Make sure to keep your canned goods in a cool, dry spot though — and if there are any dents, rust or leaking, that's when it's time to ditch the goods. Not sure how to use those legumes in your pantry? Here are some recipes <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/best-recipes-with-beans/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">that will make you rethink canned beans</a>.</p>
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Hard Cheeses

<p>Hard cheeses such as cheddar and Parmesan are still alright to eat even after mould has started to form. Just make sure to cut off any mouldy parts before shredding for your <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/photos/16-wacky-ways-to-eat-mac-and-cheese/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mac and cheese</a> or topping your pasta. Generally, hard cheeses are OK to eat for a month past the expiration date.</p>
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Eggs

<p>Have you ever gone to make an <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/omelette-recipes-eggs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">omelette</a> and noticed the date on your egg carton has already passed? Eggs are another staple that people don't always use up before the expiry date. Here's a trick to check if eggs have gone bad without cracking them open: place in a bowl of water to check its buoyancy. If it sinks, it's still safe to eat; if it floats, throw it in the compost bin. Here are more <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/creative-ways-to-cook-eggs/">creative ways to cook with eggs</a>.</p>
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Bread

<p>The best by date on fresh bread is assuming you're keeping your loaf sitting on the counter. But so long as you don't see mould growing on your grains, it should be OK to make that sandwich or <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/heavenly-french-toast-recipes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">French toast</a>. If you want to extend the shelf life of your bread, store it in the fridge — it can last for up to two weeks — or keep it in the freezer. Here are some <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/how-to-revive-stale-food/#!stale-food-bread-sourdough" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">magical methods for reviving stale food</a>.</p>
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Butter

<p>If your butter is about to expire, pop it into the freezer to keep it fresh for longer. Keep in mind that it's best to use it all once you've thawed it. Have quite a bit of butter left over? Use it for your next <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/comforting-baking-projects/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">baking project</a>.</p>
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Yogurt

<p>If unopened, yogurt is safe to eat for one to three weeks past its expiry date if stored in your fridge immediately after purchase. It can also be frozen for up to two months, which could also be helpful with morning smoothie prep. A small amount of liquid in your opened container of yogurt doesn't mean it's gone bad. That's whey, which a simple stir will fix. If you see excess liquid pooling at the top and curdling on the bottom, it's time to toss that yogurt out.</p>
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Dry Pasta

<p>Pasta won't spoil easily because it's a dry product. You can use it well past the expiration date, so long as it doesn't smell funny (egg pasta can produce a rancid odour). Generally, dry pasta has a shelf life of two years, but you can typically push it to three. So go ahead and make that <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/photos/comfort-food-classic-top-25-lasagna-recipes/" target="_blank">lasagna</a> or carbonara using the noodles you found hidden at the back of your pantry.</p>
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Salad Mixes

<p>Those packages of salad mixes, spinach and arugula are OK to eat past the due date. If the leaves have wilted, just cut off those bits before use. When your greens are starting to decay though (think mushy, slimy leaves), it's time to chuck.</p>
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Frozen Food

<p>Ice-cold temperatures prevent foods from going bad, so any packed frozen foods are generally safe to eat past the expiration date. If the food gets freezer burn due to dehydration caused by oxidation it won't be very tasty. However, if you're feeling frugal, freezer burned food is still safe to eat. When fresh produce isn't in the cards, make one of these irresistible <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/dinner-recipes-that-start-with-frozen-veggies/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dinners that start with frozen veggies</a>.</p>
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Cookies, Crackers and Chips

<p>When cookies or chips get old, the stale taste is quite obvious. But as long as it doesn't smell funky (the oils in the cookie may go bad over a long period of time) and it doesn't crumble apart in your hand, then it's okay to eat. See here for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/no-cookie-recipes-you-cant-mess-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">no-bake cookies you can’t mess up</a> (because ovens are overrated).</p>
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Chocolate

<p>Chocolate can last way beyond the best before date depending on the grade, how it is stored and whether the package is opened or not. Ideally, you want to keep your chocolate products in a cool, dry place at a temperature of 21ºC (70ºF) or less. For semisweet chocolate chips, they can be stored in the pantry for two to four months past the printed date, from six to eight months in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator and from two to three years in the freezer. Milk chocolate will last up to eight months past the printed date in the freezer. Also, don't mistake fat or sugar bloom on your chocolate for mould. Despite the splotchy look, it can still be safely consumed or used in baking your favourite <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/sinful-chocolate-desserts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">chocolate desserts</a>.</p>
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Peanut Butter

<p>If unopened, both smooth and crunchy peanut butter will keep for one year past its best before date whether stored in the pantry or fridge. Once it's been opened, both are good for three to four months in the pantry or six to eight months in the refrigerator past that date. Natural peanut butter has a shorter shelf life — just two to three months in the pantry or three to six months in the fridge beyond its best before date. It's perfectly normal for a natural separation of oil in your natural peanut butter. You can either stir it back in or pour it out and use it for cooking. If your smooth or crunch peanut butter changed to a hard, dry texture or the colour darkens, it's time to throw it away.</p>
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Cereal

<p>Not everyone likes the same cereal in a household. If members in your family enjoy different brands, those cereal boxes can stock up and will take longer to consume. Rest assured, cereal is OK to eat for up to six months past the best before date — so long as you can handle the stale flavour! Get creative in the kitchen with these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/cereal-bar-snack-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tasty treats you can make with cereal</a>.</p>
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Pickled Items

<p>Pickled cucumbers, peppers, beets or other vegetables are good for one to two years past their best before date, whether opened or unopened and can be stored in the refrigerator or pantry. They may lose their crunch over time, but are still safe to consume. How do you know if pickled items have gone bad? A sure sign is a rounded or dome-shaped top of the lid, which indicates the jar was not sealed properly. When opening a new jar of pickles, you should hear a pop when the seal breaks.</p>
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Ketchup, Mustard and Relish

<p>Condiments like ketchup, mustard and relish have a long shelf life. If your ketchup is unopened, it can be stored in the <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/budget-friendly-pantry-staples/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pantry</a> for up to a year past its best before date. Once it's been opened, store it in the fridge and consume it within 6 months. Yellow mustard can be stored unopened for up to 2 years past its best before date, or for a year in the refrigerator after opening. Unopened pickle relish can be kept in your pantry for up to 2 1/2 years, or up to 9 months in the fridge after opening.</p>
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