The shelf life of pecans depends on how you store them, as well as whether they are in-shell or unshelled nuts. The only way to get that longevity from pecans is to know how to store them properly, whether they’re shelled or not.
Pecans can last for up to four months if they remain in their shells and are not refrigerated. This duration can be doubled reliably if the pecan is stored in a refrigerator. Freezing pecans extends their duration for even longer, but doing so damages their taste.
Why this difference arises is unclear, but if you want to store pecans for a long time and buy in-shell pecans, you should focus on freezing them rather than refrigerating them, as they keep much longer.
Once opened, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a year if you don’t eat them after a week or two. Shelled pecans can be stored in the refrigerator for about nine months and in the refrigerator for up to two years. Shelled pecans will last at least 6 months in the pantry and about a year in the refrigerator.
Preparing to Store Pecans in the Long Run
If you don’t plan to use the in-shell pecans within the next six months, move them to the refrigerator or freezer. If you want pecans to last longer, store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
There is no need to refrigerate candied pecans if you know you will be eating them during that time. You can only store pecans at room temperature if you know you’ll be eating them within a few weeks.
Regardless of whether you freeze, coolants or leave at room temperature, all of pecan nuts should be stored in an airtight container. Just like if you keep pecans in the freezer, pecans should be stored in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag. To increase the shelf life of pecans, try to keep them in sealed containers, such as sealed plastic bags or hard plastic containers. If you really want to pecans were in great shape, I recommend to pack them in sealable plastic bags and place in a sealed container before freezing.
To prolong the shelf life of pecans, always keep them in their shells and store them in the freezer so they keep well. Preserved pecans will keep in the freezer and last longer.
Only defrost what you need because once thawed, fresh in-shell pecans have a shelf life of only up to 2 months. You can keep whole pecans fresh in the shell for up to 2 years if done right.
Longevity of In-shell Pecans
In-shell pecans will keep for 2 to 3 months before they go bad if you store them properly in the right conditions for the shell. Refrigerated pecans can last at least 17-18 months before they go bad if you store them properly in the refrigerator under the right conditions. Pecans, when properly stored, can stay fresh for a long period of time.
Pecans, when properly stored, can last up to 6 months under the right conditions. Pecans stay perfect for about two months after they are taken out of the refrigerator. You can easily get several years out of pecans if you store them properly in a cool, dark and dry environment where they won’t go rancid.
You can thaw frozen pecans by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight. If you freeze pecans, remember that you can do this several times without significant loss of flavor (AP).
Typical Uses for Frozen Pecans
You can use thawed pecans in any recipe that calls for nuts due to their similar flavor. If you decide to buy in-shell pecans, look for nuts that feel heavy for their size, don’t have cracks or damage to the shell, and don’t move when shaken. Boiling pecans before cracking them can help prevent the shell from cracking. Some people also suggest throwing away pecans with holes in their shells, but I think it’s best to open them up and see what’s inside.
Because the pecan shell can help protect these oils, inshell pecans generally last longer than inshell pecans. Due to the high vegetable oil content of pecans, pecans also keep longer at lower temperatures, which prevents fats from spoiling.
Try to leave some space in the refrigerator for pecans, as peeled and unpeeled varieties last longer and retain more flavor when refrigerated. Pecans also keep refrigerated in an airtight container for about nine months; those in the shell will keep for six to 12 months, but make sure they are placed in a good moisture-proof container. Pecans keep about six months in the pantry, a year in the refrigerator, and two years in the freezer. Transfer the pecans to a container of your choice, add a label if you like, and place them in the freezer.
