How long does sugar last?
Granulated: 18-24 months in the pantry.
“This is due to lumpiness or hardening in granulated sugars ... It is still safe to use even when lumpy or crystals are present.” Extension
| State | Pantry |
|---|---|
| Granulated | 18-24 months Extension Sources disagree: 2 years Extension Also stated: indefinitely FoodKeeper Extension |
| Granulated, opened | 18-24 months FoodKeeper |
| Brown | 18-24 months Extension Also stated: indefinitely FoodKeeper |
| Brown, opened | 18-24 months FoodKeeper |
| Powdered | 18-24 months Extension Also stated: indefinitely FoodKeeper |
| Powdered, opened | 18-24 months FoodKeeper |
Sources compared
| Source | State | Pantry |
|---|---|---|
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Granulated | Indefinitely |
| Nebraska Extension | Granulated | 18-24 months |
| Utah State University Extension | Granulated | Indefinitely; 2 years |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Granulated, opened | 18-24 months |
| Nebraska Extension | Brown | 18-24 months |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Brown | Indefinitely |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Brown, opened | 18-24 months |
| Nebraska Extension | Powdered | 18-24 months |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Powdered | Indefinitely |
| USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018 | Powdered, opened | 18-24 months |
A dash means that source gives no time for that place.
Handling and freezing notes
- Sugar never spoils, but for best quality use within 2 years of opening. FoodKeeper
- Sugar never spoils, but for best quality use within 2 years of opening. FoodKeeper
- Sugar never spoils, but for best quality use within 2 years of opening. FoodKeeper
- “Store sugar in a cool, dry location (not the refrigerator). Moisture makes granulated sugar hard and lumpy.” Extension
- “If granulated sugar is lumpy or hard chop lumps in a food processor.” Extension
- “Always store all sugars in an odor free area. Sugar can absorb strong odors - even through plastic packaging.” Extension
- “Pure cane or beet granulated sucrose stores the best.” Extension
- “Brown sugars have natural moisture and do not store as well for long term storage.” Extension
- “The typical retail paper package for crystal sugars is not suitable for long term storage.” Extension
- “Once opened some syrups may allow mold growth. Honey and granulated sugar will not.” Extension
What the sources say
FoodKeeper lists granulated, brown and confectioners sugar the same way: they keep indefinitely in the pantry, and once opened FoodKeeper gives them 18 to 24 months.145
Its tip says sugar never spoils, but for best quality it should be used within 2 years of opening.1
The Nebraska Extension chart has one row for brown, powdered and granulated sugar, 18 to 24 months in a pantry or cupboard, with no fridge or freezer time.2
Utah State University Extension says commercial sugars have an indefinite shelf life because they resist microbial growth, and gives a best-if-used-by date of about 2 years for quality.3
The quality change it names for granulated sugar is lumpiness or hardening, and it says lumpy sugar is still safe to use.3
It advises a cool, dry place, not the refrigerator, and notes that moisture makes granulated sugar hard and lumpy.3
Lumps that have already formed can be chopped in a food processor.3
Sugar can also absorb strong odors, even through plastic packaging, so it should be kept in an odor free area.3
Pure cane or beet granulated sugar stores best, while brown sugar has natural moisture and does not store as well over the long term.3
The retail paper package is not suitable for long term storage; polyethylene or Mylar-type bags, food-grade plastic buckets, glass canning jars and #10 cans all are.3
Unlike some syrups, opened granulated sugar does not allow mold growth.3
Rules that apply here
Related foods
Sources
- USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 240: Sugar, granulated. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Sugar, granulated. Pantry: Indefinitely (Sugar never spoils, but for best quality use within 2 years of opening.); Pantry_After_Opening: 18-24 Months
- Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24.
Sugar - brown, powdered, granulated 18 to 24 months
- 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.
This is due to lumpiness or hardening in granulated sugars ... It is still safe to use even when lumpy or crystals are present.
Store sugar in a cool, dry location (not the refrigerator). Moisture makes granulated sugar hard and lumpy.
If granulated sugar is lumpy or hard chop lumps in a food processor.
Always store all sugars in an odor free area. Sugar can absorb strong odors - even through plastic packaging.
Pure cane or beet granulated sucrose stores the best.
Brown sugars have natural moisture and do not store as well for long term storage.
The typical retail paper package for crystal sugars is not suitable for long term storage.
Once opened some syrups may allow mold growth. Honey and granulated sugar will not.
- USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 239: Sugar, brown. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Sugar, brown. Pantry: Indefinitely (Sugar never spoils, but for best quality use within 2 years of opening.); Pantry_After_Opening: 18-24 Months
- USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 241: Sugar, confectioners. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Sugar, confectioners. Pantry: Indefinitely (Sugar never spoils, but for best quality use within 2 years of opening.); Pantry_After_Opening: 18-24 Months
- 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.