Lentil is a staple meal in many homes across the globe. This is because lentils can be made using different recipes. Lentils can be boiled, stir-fried, or canned as a meal.
This allows consumers to explore different recipes using lentils as a base or side dish. Since there are varieties of lentils that can be prepared in different forms, an important issue to consider is how long lentils last.
The shelf life of your lentil depends on its form: dried lentils can last up to 3 years if stored properly. Lentils can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days and frozen for up to 3 months. When stored properly, opened canned lentils can last up to four days in the fridge and three months in the freezer, while canned lentils have a shelf life of roughly a year.
Have you ever been concerned about how long lentils last? Read on for tips on how to enjoy your lentils in different forms have also been provided.
Lentils Nutrition
These are the nutritional elements per 100m of boiled Lentils you consume. Every 100m of Lentils contains 116 calories.
| Nutritional element | Grams | Daily value |
| Total fat | 0.4 g | – |
| Saturated fat | 0.1 g | – |
| Trans fat regulation | 0 g | – |
| Cholesterol | – | |
| Sodium | 2 mg | – |
| Potassium | 369 mg | 10% |
| Total carbohydrate | 20 g | 6% |
| Dietary fiber | 8 g | 32% |
| Sugar | 1.8 g | – |
| Protein | 9 g | 18% |
| Vitamin C | – | 2% |
| Vitamin D | – | 0% |
| Vitamin B6 | – | 10% |
| Iron | – | 18% |
| Magnesium | – | 9% |
| Calcium | – | 1% |
| Cobalamin | – | 0% |
How Long Does Lentil Last?
The shelf life of lentils depends on their form: lentils can be dried, canned, or homemade. If properly stored, dried lentils can last between 2 and 3 years. They can retain quality for this period if they are sealed and protected from heat and moisture. Dried lentils must always be stored in a cool, dry place.
Homemade lentils can last up to 5 hours at room temperature. We recommend using a refrigerator or freezer for long-term storage. Homemade lentils can last up to 3-4 days in the fridge and sometimes longer under appropriate temperature conditions. Under the best conditions, homemade lentils can last up to three months in the freezer.
Unopened canned lentils can last up to 1 year when stored properly. Opened canned lentils are good for about 4 days in the fridge and about 2-3 months in the freezer.
All of these conditions apply to the varieties of lentils available.
Refrigerating And Freezing Your Lentils
These are the guidelines for refrigerating and freezing your Lentils:
- Allow your Lentils to cool before transferring them to your refrigerator.
- Use an airtight, freezer-safe container for your lentils.
- Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the plastic bags.
- Ensure you leave an inch before sealing the container.
- Never keep your lentils at your refrigerator’s door. Always keep it at the rear.
Thawing And Reheating Your Lentils
We have provided guidelines for thawing your lentils. They include:
- We recommend thawing your lentils in the refrigerator. However, this can take hours. Determine when to reheat your lentils to help you plan.
- Soak the container or bag in warm water until thoroughly thawed as an alternative to thawing in the fridge.
- If your lentil mixture is too thick, thin it with water.
- Reheat your lentils in microwave-safe containers.
- Transfer your lentils to a saucepan and cook on low heat. Stirring your lentil continuously would keep the lentil from burning.
How to Know If Lentils Have Spoiled
We’ve included some pointers on how to tell if your lentils have gone bad.
One is to check for changes in appearance, smell, and texture. Signs of mold, an unpleasant smell, and sliminess are also indicators that your cooked lentils have gone bad.
Check the expiry date on your canned lentils to determine if they are still good for consumption.
Tips to Enjoy Your Lentils
These tips have been offered for you to enjoy your Lentil dish:
- Lentils take a long time to soften compared to other meals. To reduce cooking time, we recommend using a pressure cooker.
- When cooking lentils, use a lot of water. This keeps it from easily burning.
- Avoid exposing your dried lentils to heat or moisture. Your lentils’ shelf life would be shortened if they were exposed to these elements. Mold growth, a foul odor, and even bug infestations are all indicators of decay.
- Remove your lentils from your freezer 10 hours after a power outage.
- Some lentil varieties are better suited to specific recipes than others. Red lentils, for example, are great for lentil soup, while green and brown lentils can be used for solid dishes.
- Use chicken or beef stock as the base for a tasty lentil soup.
- Place a small amount of turmeric in a container before adding your lentils. Turmeric serves as a disinfectant for your dried lentils.
- To increase the flavor of your turmeric, add herbs and spices.
- Always check the expiration date on canned turmeric before purchasing.
- Avoid canned lentils that have a disfigured appearance, such as a dent, swelling, or bulging.
Final Note
Lentils are perfect on cold nights, especially when prepared using a delicious recipe.
All of this information has been provided to help you make better decisions on your next lentil purchase, preparation, and storage.
