How Long Do Canned Goods Last?
Storage method
Canned goods — low acid (such as meat, poultry, fish, gravy, stew, soups, beans, carrots, corn, pasta, peas, potatoes, spinach) — pantry, from date of purchase
2 to 5 years in the pantry
- Cool, dry pantry or cupboard
- Applies from date of purchase · low acid (such as meat, poultry, fish, gravy, stew, soups, beans, carrots, corn, pasta, peas, potatoes, spinach)
Pick a valid date to calculate the recommended use-by window.
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24) · About this data · Report an issue
FoodStorageCheck — official USDA FoodKeeper guidance · foodstoragecheck.com
All official guidance for canned goods
Every storage entry the USDA FoodKeeper dataset lists for this food, exactly as published (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24). “No official duration listed” means the source does not provide a number for that combination — not that the food lasts forever.
Canned goods — low acid (such as meat, poultry, fish, gravy, stew, soups, beans, carrots, corn, pasta, peas, potatoes, spinach)
| Where | Condition | Official time | Notes from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pantry | general guideline | No official duration listed | Canned items will be safe to eat well past the ‘use-by’ or ‘best by’ date as long as the can shows no dents, rust, or swelling. |
| Pantry | from date of purchase | 2 to 5 years | — |
| Pantry | after opening | Not recommended | — |
| Refrigerator | after opening | 3 to 4 days | — |
Canned goods — high acid (such as juices, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut, tomato soup, and foods in vinegar-based sauce)
| Where | Condition | Official time | Notes from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pantry | general guideline | No official duration listed | Canned items will be safe to eat well past the ‘use-by’ or ‘best by’ date as long as the can shows no dents, rust, or swelling. |
| Pantry | from date of purchase | 12 to 18 months | — |
| Pantry | after opening | Not recommended | — |
| Refrigerator | after opening | 5 to 7 days | — |
Common questions about canned goods
- How long do canned goods last in the refrigerator?
- 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, after opening, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. Times assume a refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C).
- How long do canned goods last in the pantry?
- 2 to 5 years in the pantry, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. Assumes a cool, dry pantry away from light.
- How long do canned goods last after opening?
- Once opened — refrigerator: 3 to 4 days, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset.
Two reminders that apply here
Keep the fridge at 40 °F (4 °C) or below.Refrigerator times in this dataset assume a refrigerator held at or below 40 °F. An appliance thermometer is the reliable way to check.
The two-hour rule.Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 °F / 32 °C) should be discarded, per FoodSafety.gov. Storage windows assume food was refrigerated promptly.