Tuesday Tip: Foods That Never Expire — The Two in Your Pantry Right Now
This Tuesday tip: foods that never expire is a fun food fact I kind of knew, but not really — until I was doing a little research and found it written down in black and white. There are two foods sitting in your pantry right now that never expire: salt and honey. You can keep them as long as you want, and they are still good to eat.
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Watch the full video above — or keep reading below.
I love a tip like this one, because most kitchen news goes the other way. Usually we are finding out something else we need to throw away. This time it is good news. Those two jars in the back of your cabinet are not going anywhere, and you do not have to feel bad about how long they have been there.
Tuesday tip: foods that never expire — Why Salt Lasts Forever
Salt has zero moisture in it, and it is a mineral. Bacteria need moisture to grow, so they have nothing to work with in a box of salt. That means salt does not expire, and it does not really get old. If it picks up some moisture it can clump together, but it is still edible — just break it up and keep using it. The salt in my Baker’s Dozen is iodized table salt , and I go through a lot of it cooking for seven.
So Why Is There a Date on My Salt?
Here is the little twist I found when I dug in. Some salt boxes do print a date, and it is not because the salt goes bad. According to Morton’s own salt expiration guide, the salt itself never expires — but iodized salt gets a five-year date because the iodine can fade over time, and the anti-caking ingredient that keeps it pouring can lose its punch, which is why old salt clumps. Seasoned salts are a different story, because the spices in them lose their flavor much sooner. Plain salt past its date is still safe to eat.
Why Honey Never Goes Bad
Honey will never expire either. It is very low in water and naturally acidic, so the things that spoil other food cannot grow in it. Over time it can crystallize — it gets cloudy and thick, even rock hard — but it is still considered safe to eat. I keep a big squeeze bottle of raw honey in my pantry, and when it turns grainy I just set the bottle in a bowl of warm water and let it loosen back up. Warm, not boiling.
You may see a “best by” date on a jar of honey, and that date is about how it tastes, not whether it is safe. Older honey can darken and lose a little of its flavor and smell. The one thing honey does not like is water, so keep the lid on tight and do not dip a wet spoon in the jar.
So you can feel good about the honey and the salt in your pantry. They are good to go, with no expiration date. And if you are restocking either one, everything I keep on my shelves lives in Shop My Pantry. That’s my Tuesday tip for you — a fun food fact. Come to the table, y’all. It’s time to eat.
Tuesday tip: foods that never expire FAQ — Your Salt and Honey Questions
Is this Tuesday tip: foods that never expire true for every kind of salt?
The salt itself never goes bad, whether it is table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt. Iodized salt carries a date because the iodine can fade, and seasoned salts like garlic salt have spices in them that lose their flavor. Plain salt past its date is still safe — it just might clump.
Is crystallized honey still safe to eat?
Yes. Crystallizing is a natural change in texture, not spoiling. Set the jar in warm water and stir until it goes smooth again, or just spoon it into hot tea where it will melt right in.
What do I do with salt that has clumped?
Break it up with a fork and keep using it. To keep it from happening again, store your salt somewhere cool and dry and away from the steam of the stove, and keep the lid closed.
Should I keep honey in the refrigerator?
No — the cold actually makes honey crystallize faster. The pantry is the right spot. Room temperature with a tight lid is all it needs.
Can babies have honey?
Not before their first birthday. Honey is safe on your shelf forever, but it is not safe for babies under one year old, so save it for the big kids and the grown-ups. Your pediatrician is the best person to ask about when to start.
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Tuesday tip: foods that never expire — About Stephanie’s Tips
Stephanie Longstreth is the home cook, mom, and storyteller behind StephanieCooksForACrowd.com. She cooks for a family of seven in Florida — five kids, two cats, and one husband who appreciates a good meal. Four of her children came home through adoption, and family stories are woven into everything she makes and shares. Find her crowd-friendly recipes, weekly meal plans, and real family life on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest @stephaniecooksforacrowd.
