How Long Do Beans Last (And Why)?

Exact Answer: Up to 4 days

The shelf life of beans depends on what type of beans one is using. The beans are available in dried and canned form in the markets. The shelf life of canned beans would not be more than 4 to 5 days. The dried beans can last for around 12 months depending on the expiry date.

If someone wants to store the cooked beans, then it would last around 5 to 7 days in the fridge. The quality of beans is another huge factor that would predict the shelf life of the beans.

Everyone should check the beans before purchasing. For the canned beans, make sure to check leaked and rusty cans. The unsealed canned beans can last for around 8 months in the fridge. The canned beans, if opened would not stay fresh for more than 5 to 6 days. The acidic content in the beans is very low.

Therefore, they may go bad very quickly as compared to other food items with huge acidic content.

How Long Do Beans Last?

The storage techniques should be correct for making the beans last long. The beans should be stored away from humidity. Humidity can disturb the condition of fresh beans. Moisture contact may also increase the growth of various bacteria in the beans.

If the canned beans come in contact with the moisture or water, then it would become the house for harmful bacteria. Once the bacteria start growing in the beans, then it would go bad instantly. People should not soak the beans if they are going to be stored for weeks or months.

Once the beans are soaked, it’s important to cook them within 24 hours. The beans come with expiry dates which the person should keep in mind. Most of the beans come with a shelf life of around 10 to 12 months. There will be some beans with a shelf life of not more than 6 months.

The canned bean’s shelf life would be written on the outer packaging of the canned beans. Beans can be used for many food dishes such as burgers, beans rice bowls, and soups.

Dried beans are versatile ingredients that can be used in most food items. Heat exposure is another bad condition for reducing the shelf life of the beans. The color of beans would get darker when they are expired or about to expire.

Many people prefer storing the beans in the freezer for making them last longer. The canned beans can be stored in the freezer as it would last around 5 to 7 days. The instructions for storing the canned beans after they are opened would be mentioned in the can’s packaging.

The canned beans are packed with preservatives that make them last longer. The effectiveness of preservatives would start to deteriorate when the seal is opened.

Why Do Beans Last This Long?

The beans are quite hard to cook. Therefore, everyone prefers soaking the beans to make them softer after cooking. The hardness of the beans makes them last longer as they don’t contain any water content. The canned beans are not entirely dry, but they have some amount of moisture content.

This is the reason why the canned beans can’t last for more than 5 to 7 days. The water present inside the canned beans should be drained before using the canned beans for cooking purposes. Sometimes, the canned beans may develop the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

These bacteria can cause dangerous health problems in humans. If someone eats the beans with these bacteria, then the person may get paralyzed.

Conclusion

The quality of the beans plays an essential role in predicting the shelf life of the dried or canned beans. The canned beans will not have longer shelf life than dried beans. Once the beans are cooked, they will not last for more than 4 to 5 days in the fridge.

Storing the beans in an airtight container would prevent the growth of bacteria which can cause serious problems even the death of humans.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260877404003590
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814605011064