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How Long Do Cooked Lentils Last In The Fridge
Cooked lentils can last in the fridge for up to 5 to 7 days. They can be frozen for up to 6 months. You can also increase the shelf life of cooked lentils by freezing them. Freezing may affect their taste and texture but they are still safe for eating.
Cooked lentils will last up to 1 week in the fridge, 3 to 5 days at least, when stored properly. When lentils are done cooking, they can last for up to 5-7 days in a covered cooler, or frozen for up to 6 months. Depending on the temperature of your fridge, cooked lentils will be safe to eat for 2-5 days if you use a sealed container filled with cooking water. Already cooked lentils, either canned originally or dried, will last about three to five days in the refrigerator.
Freezing cooked lentils is an awesome idea if you want to store them longer than the three to five days that they will remain edible in the refrigerator. After around six months, they are still safe for years if kept frozen correctly, but they do lose their flavors and textures over time. Cooked lentils, when correctly chilled then stored in the refrigerator according to the previous recommendations, will stay fresh and safe for 3-5 days on average, with a maximum of 1 week.
If, as mentioned above, cooked lentils are properly cooled and then stored in the refrigerator, they have the potential to extend their shelf life considerably, 3-5 days in case of vegetables, or 1 week in case of frozen chickpeas. Dried lentils can last up to two or three years when stored correctly in a cool, dark, and dry place in the kitchen or pantry. A packet of dried lentils lasts about a year after its best-by date, whereas a jar of lentils lasts about one to two years past this date. An opened can of lentils will last for three or four days, whereas cooked lentils may last for seven days, at best.
Store your lentils according to the directions listed above, and use them within five days after you open them, one week at the most. Once you have opened your can, or cooked a home-cooked lentil soup, use the leftovers within 4 to 5 days maximum, and keep refrigerated and covered. For best security and enjoyment, try to consume your lentil soup within 3-4 days after it is refrigerated correctly. Cooked lentils and lentil purees can be frozen for up to three months or refrigerated up to a week.
You can also store the leftover lentils in the cooker you prepared them in, seal the lid, and store the entire cooker in the refrigerator. If your lentils have been sitting in the fridge for a week or so, I would throw them out, simply for security reasons. If you are unsure whether or not your lentils from 5 years ago are still safe to eat, just assume that they are not, and throw them out. The trick is to always inspect your lentils before using them, looking for any signs that they are spoiling or going bad.
| Lentils | Shelf Life |
| Cooked Lentils | 5 to 7 days |
| Uncooked Lentils | 2 to 5 days |
Lentils should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from any heat or light that can cause them to turn rancid more quickly. The best way to store dried lentils is to store them in a cool, dry, and dark area, away from heat sources and insects. If you store them correctly, they will last you years, with the only downside to long-term storage you may encounter being slight changes in quality and vitamin losses. Yes, you can freeze lentils, but there is little reason to freeze dry varieties, as they will last several years in a sealed, air-tight bag in the pantry.
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How long a container of lentils will last depends on what kind of package it comes in, and if you are cooking it. When putting your lentils into a freezer-safe bag or container for freezing, keep in mind that lentils expand when frozen. Yes, you absolutely can freeze cooked lentils, and it will prolong their shelf life without compromising the taste or texture too much.
Freezing is especially useful if you plan on eating lentils as is once they have thawed. It works better if the lentils are to be pureed after thawing, as the texture becomes slightly mushy. That is, if you are going to puree the lentils after thawing, it is going to provide the most consistent consistency since freezing may break down structure and make lentils more soft than originally prepared. Moving the container from freezer to refrigerator overnight is the easiest way to thaw lentils, but there are faster ways.
Soaked lentils will last about three days in the refrigerator, however freezing is not a great idea as they are already filled with water, which can cause the lentils to break down during thawing. Watch your cooker closely and add water if needed to ensure your lentils have plenty of water to absorb while the lentils are cooking. Once your lentils are cooked, place them into a strainer and remove any excess water as much as possible. If you opened the lentils can, and know that you will probably not be eating them again for several days, be sure to first thoroughly rinse them in cold water, strain them, and then place them into a tight-sealed container.
Most importantly, always make sure you place cooked lentils in the refrigerator within two hours, to avoid the buildup of large amounts of bacteria and other germs. Finally, even though the lentil bowl looks good, you are better off throwing out the contents if they have been sitting in the fridge for longer than four days. Dried lentils, the type you might find in a plastic bag, will still be fine about one year past their best-by date. You can still eat lentils months after the best by date, provided that mold or bacteria has not grown on the lentils.
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An unopened lentil can does not have to be refrigerated, and it will last pretty much forever, although it is always best to adhere to the best before date stamped on the container. Boil lentils briefly before freezing to allow them to fully cook through your stew or soup recipes. Like most dried foods, keeping lentils in a cool area (think pantry, not refrigerator) increases their shelf life ([USU]).
Is it safe to reheat lentils more than once?
Any food that has been heated more than once is rarely safe, and it’s not worth risking your health because bacteria have two chances to grow on your food. This is particularly true if you cook your lentils in something other than water, such as chicken broth.
Can you eat cooked lentils cold?
In the cupboard, lentils may be kept because they are so inexpensive. Lentils don’t need to be soaked like beans do. They cook up rapidly, have a wide range of applications, and may be consumed either hot or cold. The earthy taste of lentils makes them a very filling food.
Can you eat week old lentil soup?
Although cooked lentils can last for around seven days, the same is not true with lentil soup. This is due to the likelihood that various components of the soup won’t last that long. A cooled off lentil soup may be kept for three to five days in an airtight container. This is the longest that the soup can stay fresh.