How long does honey last?

Checked 24 Oct 20263 official publishers, 3 sources

Honey: 2 years in the pantry for best quality.

Official stance

“crystallization of sugars in honey and syrup. It is still safe to use even when lumpy or crystals are present.” Extension

Storage times for honey by state and place
State	Pantry
Honey	2 years best quality Extension FoodKeeper Extension Also stated: indefinitely Extension

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	Pantry
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Honey	2 years
Nebraska Extension	Honey	2 years
Utah State University Extension	Honey	Indefinitely; 2 years

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

Handling and freezing notes

“Once opened some syrups may allow mold growth. Honey and granulated sugar will not.” Extension
“If crystallization occurs in syrups or honey, re-liquify them by placing the container in a larger container of hot water until the crystals have dissolved.” Extension
“Commercial, filtered liquid honey will last the longest in storage.” Extension
“Comb honey, unfiltered honey, or raw sugar syrups do not store well.” Extension
“Raw sugars and honey are less "pure" and will have a shorter shelf life.” Extension
“Glass canning jars and #10 cans work best for liquid syrups and honey.” Extension
“Honey is slightly acidic. It will cause rust in metal containers or on metal lids.” Extension
“Heat will also darken color and alter flavor in sugar syrups and honey.” Extension
“Removing oxygen for long term sugar and honey storage is not required and not recommended.” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper and the Nebraska Extension storage chart both give honey 2 years in the pantry, counted in FoodKeeper from the date of purchase.¹²

Utah State University Extension says commercial honey has an indefinite shelf life because it resists microbial growth, and gives a best-if-used-by date of roughly 2 years for quality.³

The quality change it describes is crystallization, and it says honey is still safe to use when crystals are present.³

To make crystallized honey liquid again, it suggests setting the container in a larger container of hot water until the crystals dissolve.³

Unlike some syrups, honey does not allow mold growth once opened, according to the same source.³

For long storage it recommends commercial, filtered liquid honey, and says comb honey and unfiltered honey do not store as well.³

The guide notes that raw sugars and honey are less pure than refined sugar and will have a shorter shelf life.³

Glass canning jars and #10 cans work best for honey, and because honey is slightly acidic it will cause rust in metal containers or on metal lids, so it advises lined, food-grade metal containers or lids.³

Heat darkens the color of honey and alters its flavor.³

Removing oxygen for long term honey storage is not required and not recommended, according to Utah State.³

Rules that apply here

Best-by and use-by dates

Butter Maple syrup Sugar

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 345: Honey. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Honey. DOP_Pantry: 2 Years
Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Honey 2 years
Storing Sugars | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Commercial sugars (granular, syrup, and honey) have an indefinite shelf life due to their resistance to microbial growth.sugars have a best-if-used by date of approximately 2 years for quality concerns.Once opened some syrups may allow mold growth. Honey and granulated sugar will not.If crystallization occurs in syrups or honey, re-liquify them by placing the container in a larger container of hot water until the crystals have dissolved.Commercial, filtered liquid honey will last the longest in storage.Comb honey, unfiltered honey, or raw sugar syrups do not store well.Raw sugars and honey are less "pure" and will have a shorter shelf life.crystallization of sugars in honey and syrup. It is still safe to use even when lumpy or crystals are present.Glass canning jars and #10 cans work best for liquid syrups and honey.Honey is slightly acidic. It will cause rust in metal containers or on metal lids.Heat will also darken color and alter flavor in sugar syrups and honey.Removing oxygen for long term sugar and honey storage is not required and not recommended.
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.