Can you eat expired beans?
Quick Answer
No
While canned beans can last beyond their ‘best by’ date if stored properly, it’s not recommended to consume beans that are significantly past their expiration date due to potential health risks.
What Is It?
Expired beans refer to beans that have passed their ‘best by’ or ‘use by’ date indicated on the packaging. This could be canned beans, dried beans, or cooked beans.
How to Tell
Signs of expired beans may include a foul smell, change in color, or presence of mold. Canned beans may have a bulging can, which is a sign of bacterial growth.
Why It Can Be Risky
Consuming expired beans can pose several health risks.
- Food poisoning
- Botulism
Safe Method?
Always check the ‘best by’ date before consuming beans. If they’re only slightly past this date, smell and look okay, and have been stored properly, they may still be safe to eat. However, if in doubt, it’s best to throw them out.
Storage Tips
{‘Canned beans’: “Store in a cool, dry place and consume by the ‘best by’ date.”, ‘Dried beans’: ‘Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They can last up to 2-3 years if stored properly.’, ‘Cooked beans’: ‘Refrigerate within two hours of cooking and consume within 3-4 days.’}