415shares
130
35
39
211

How Long Does Quinoa Last?

How long does quinoa last? The shelf life of quinoa is influenced by a variety of factors, such as whether it is cooked or not and how it is stored.

Quinoa is actually a seed, but since it cooks up nice and fluffy, yet slightly crunchy, many people consider it as a grain and are using it to replace wheat or oats in their diet. Quinoa is often referred to as the "supergrain of the future" because it has twice the amount of fiber and is such a complete protein that it contains all 9 amino acids and is gluten free! It also contains iron, lysine, magnesium, riboflavin and manganese.

The shelf life of quinoa is so long that many ask does quinoa goes bad? When properly stored, the shelf life of quinoa is approximately...

Our Favorite Food Storage Set!

With oven-safe glass and water-tight lids, these food storage containers are ready for action! Not a Prime Member? Try a 30-day free trial today!

SHOP NOW

Quinoa Expiration Date

(Raw)	Pantry	Refrigerator	Freezer
	Past Printed Date	Past Printed Date	Past Printed Date
White Quinoa lasts for	2-3 Years	2-3 Years	--
Red Quinoa lasts	2-3 Years	2-3 Years	--
Black Quinoa lasts for	2-3 Years	2-3 Years	--
(Cooked)	Pantry	Refrigerator	Freezer
Quinoa lasts for	--	6-7 Days	8-12 Months

Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember, like a lot of other seeds, it usually has a best by date and not an expiration date. Because of this, you can safely use it beyond the stamped best by date.

How to tell if Quinoa is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Since quinoa has a long shelf life if kept dry, it is hard to tell if it has gone bad. It generally does not become rancid or smell. Cooked quinoa that has gone bad will show a loss of texture as it hardens and then can grow mold.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Quinoa to extend its shelf life?

The best way to store quinoa is in an airtight container in the pantry or another cool dark place with a constant temperature.

Once prepared, quinoa should be refrigerated in an airtight container to keep out moisture and other contaminants. Do not allow cooked quinoa to sit out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, just like any other food.

For a long term option, you can freeze your dry quinoa while preserving its taste if you use an oxygen-free (oxygen is the source of freezer burn) freezer safe container. Cooked quinoa also freezes well in an airtight freezer container.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Quinoa:

Quinoa was once referred to as "the gold of the Incas" because its protein increased the stamina of the Inca warriors.

It's very versatile and can substitute for most any grain in most any recipe.

How long is Quinoa good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does quinoa last? That depends. How long does fish last? In general, food will only last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the recipe.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Quinoa lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Quinoa.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Quinoa shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!