Roasted lentils shelf life
October 26, 2020 9:37 AM Subscribe
Made some rosemary roasted lentils to add to salads, and left in the pantry in an airtight container. How long can they keep this way, and what can they do to me if I eat them past that time?
I bought some lentils cooked this way at a farmers market and they were shelf stable, intended to be eaten at room temperature like potato chips, so I just assumed mine were too but now I'm not so sure.
I bought some lentils cooked this way at a farmers market and they were shelf stable, intended to be eaten at room temperature like potato chips, so I just assumed mine were too but now I'm not so sure.
Response by poster: They were cooked in the oven on high heat and they are dry and crunchy.
posted by crunchy potato at 10:03 AM on October 26, 2020
posted by crunchy potato at 10:03 AM on October 26, 2020
Hm. My instinct is that a version bought at a farmer's market probably was manufactured in an industrial oven and probably with some sort of preservative, so I wouldn't think they'd store the same way. However if yours are in an airtight container I think it's worth the experiment to see how long they last. Refrigerating dry crunchy things is such a disappointment.
The biggest concerns I can think of is if there's any moisture left in the lentils (because home oven less efficient in heating, or just being packaged before they're completely cool) then you could be setting yourself up for bacteria or mold. Also if they're made with oil and there's excess it could go rancid. Smell and taste a few before each use - legumes are pretty darn good at telling you when they've gone off.
posted by theweasel at 10:19 AM on October 26, 2020 [4 favorites]
The biggest concerns I can think of is if there's any moisture left in the lentils (because home oven less efficient in heating, or just being packaged before they're completely cool) then you could be setting yourself up for bacteria or mold. Also if they're made with oil and there's excess it could go rancid. Smell and taste a few before each use - legumes are pretty darn good at telling you when they've gone off.
posted by theweasel at 10:19 AM on October 26, 2020 [4 favorites]
You could perhaps extend their life by freezing them in a way that they will not stick together, and then thaw and maybe toast the amount you want to use in a hot oven briefly as you need them.
posted by citygirl at 3:41 PM on October 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by citygirl at 3:41 PM on October 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
Based on no science whatsoever but on toasted nut and seed experiences, I'd say they'll be okay in the pantry for about a week and have declining crispness/ tastiness after that.
posted by carrioncomfort at 5:57 PM on October 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by carrioncomfort at 5:57 PM on October 26, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by theweasel at 10:02 AM on October 26, 2020