How long do dried beans last?

Checked 25 Oct 20265 official publishers, 7 sources

Dried: 12 months in the pantry.

Official stance

“Dried beans that are cooked are no longer safe to store at room temperature.” Extension

Storage times for dried beans by state and place
State	Counter / pantry	Fridge 40 °F	Freezer 0 °F
Dried	12 months Extension Extension Sources disagree: 1-2 years FoodKeeper Extension	Not stated	Not stated
Dried, opened package	1 year FoodKeeper	Not stated	Not stated
Cooked	2 hours max CDC	3-4 days Extension	6 months best quality Extension
Dry mung beans, food-grade bags	1 year FoodKeeper	1 year FoodKeeper	1 year best quality FoodKeeper
Dry mung beans, vacuum-sealed	8-10 years FoodKeeper	Not stated	Not stated

Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

Source	State	Counter / pantry	Fridge	Freezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Dried	1-2 years	-	-
Nebraska Extension	Dried	1-2 years	-	-
NDSU Extension	Dried	12 months	-	-
Utah State University Extension	Dried	12 months	-	-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Dried, opened package	1 year	-	-
Nebraska Extension	Cooked	-	3-4 days	6 months
CDC 2025	Cooked	2 hours	-	-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Dry mung beans, food-grade bags	1 year	1 year	1 year
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Dry mung beans, vacuum-sealed	8-10 years	-	-

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

Keep the beans in an airtight container as it’s imperative that they remain dry. FoodKeeper
“Containers for storage of dry foods such as wheat, beans, rice, oatmeal, and cornmeal should have a maximum of 20-30 pound capacity.” Extension
“When packaged goods such as beans... become infested they may be "sterilized" by heating in an open oven” Extension
“Peas, beans (dried)... Store in an airtight container.” Extension

What the sources say

For a package of dried beans, FoodKeeper gives 1 to 2 years in the pantry from the date of purchase, and 1 year once the package has been opened.¹

The Nebraska Extension chart matches the 1 to 2 years at room temperature in a row that groups dried beans with lentils and split peas.²

Two other extension charts are shorter: the NDSU Extension food storage guide lists dried peas and beans at 12 months and says to store them in an airtight container, and Utah State University Extension gives dry beans 12 months in a rigid plastic or metal container in a cool, dry basement at 70 °F.³⁴

Cooking changes the picture: Utah State University Extension notes that dried beans that are cooked are no longer safe to store at room temperature.⁴

For cooked dried beans, lentils or split peas, the Nebraska chart gives 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer.²

FoodKeeper also lists dry mung beans in food-grade bags at 1 year whether they are kept in the pantry, the refrigerator or the freezer, with a tip to keep them in an airtight container because they must stay dry.⁶

Vacuum-sealed dry mung beans last far longer in its listing, 8 to 10 years in the pantry.⁷

Utah State University Extension suggests keeping dry foods such as beans in containers of no more than 20 to 30 pounds, and says packaged beans that become infested may be "sterilized" by heating them in an open oven.⁴

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour rule Fridge and freezer temperature Freezing and refreezing Best-by and use-by dates

Pasta Cooked rice Flour

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 333: Beans, dried. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Beans, dried. DOP_Pantry: 1-2 Years; Pantry_After_Opening: 1 Years
Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Dried beans, lentils or split peas 1 to 2 yearsDried beans, lentils or split peas 1 to 2 years 3 to 4 days (cooked)Dried beans, lentils or split peas 1 to 2 years 3 to 4 days (cooked) 6 months (cooked)
1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. Peas, beans (dried) 12 months Store in an airtight container.Peas, beans (dried)... Store in an airtight container.
Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Beans dry rigid plastic or metal container 70°F cool/dry basement 12 monthsDried beans that are cooked are no longer safe to store at room temperature.Containers for storage of dry foods such as wheat, beans, rice, oatmeal, and cornmeal should have a maximum of 20-30 pound capacity.When packaged goods such as beans... become infested they may be "sterilized" by heating in an open oven
Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 680: Mung bean, dry, food-grade bags. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Mung bean, dry, food-grade bags. Pantry: 1 Years (Keep the beans in an airtight container as it’s imperative that they remain dry.); Refrigerate: 1 Years; Freeze: 1 Years
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 681: Mung bean, dry, vacuum-sealed. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Mung bean, dry, vacuum-sealed. Pantry: 8-10 Years
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.