Do you know how long does cooked and uncooked quinoa last in the fridge? This article will address all of your burning questions regarding storing quinoa safely, as well as how to determine if it’s gone bad. If you’ve taken home a huge bag of quinoa from the store, I understand the anguish of not knowing how to effectively store and maintain it so that it will last you long enough to use it all. I’m a big fan of buying in bulk; in fact, I think it’s a great way to save time, money and some effort as well.
However, buying in bulk might backfire if you don’t store them properly, and they go bad way before you can cook them. Try to scale down unnnecessary food waste with our usefil tips and guide. Let’s dive in!
Quinoa has an impressively long shelf life and is available in three varieties: red, white, and black. It’s also a naturally gluten-free, edible seed that is frequently mistaken for a grain, although it is actually a flowering plant in the amaranth family.
They are high in protein, fiber, and vitamin B.It can be cooked in the same way as rice, but it has far more nutrients. One cup has 222 calories, 39 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber.It’s a remarkably ancient grain but only gained popularity recently, mainly due to health advocates. But that also implies that people don’t really know how to store or prepare them correctly.
Can I keep quinoa at the fridge? Does quinoa expire?
When stored in a cool, dry area, such as your pantry, an unopened packet of quinoa will survive far past the expiration date. However, once cooked, it will only keep in the fridge for one week at most and may be frozen for up to a year. If kept correctly, uncooked quinoa can survive up to three years. That is quite impressive.
The ideal place to keep them is in a cold, dry place, such as the pantry. There, you can store it for at least a year, if not longer. It is mostly affected by the temperature of the room. The warmer the air, the shorter the duration.
The lower temperatures, on the other hand, will allow the quinoa to last longer. Most people buy quinoa in huge packages, and as a result, there will usually be quite a lot leftover after cooking. That’s why it’s so important to store it properly if you don’t want a whole package to go to waste.
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as throwing them in the cupboard, fridge, or freezer once you’re done. This would substantially shorten their shelf life. Proper storage is important to keeping food fresh for as long as possible, so you can plan meals for the week or even store them for months.
How long does quinoa last in the fridge?
However, the above is only a general guideline. How long it will last depends on the quality, when it was bought, if it’s cooked or not, and most importantly, how you store it.
Quinoa is available in several varieties, including black, red, and white, but they are essentially the same except for the colors and small differences in vitamins and minerals. For this article, we’ll just focus on quinoa in general and what you can do to make it last as long as possible.
Shelf life of cooked quinoa
It will stay in the fridge for up to 7 days if cooked well and stored in an airtight container. Allow cooked quinoa to cool for 10-20 minutes before you put it in the refrigerator.
To avoid contamination, transfer it to an airtight container. When you cook quinoa, don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours to prevent bacteria from forming on them. Another way is to freeze them after cooking, but after a while, the texture and quality will deteriorate fastly.
Shelf life of uncooked quinoa
As for uncooked quinoa, it could be stored in the fridge for up to 3 years without any prepping. Simply place the quinoa in its original packaging or in an airtight container right into the fridge.
However, I recommend a container to keep the seeds dry and sealed. But storing it in a cool dark place like your pantry or finding a place that has a cool and consistent temperature is a must.
When kept dry and properly stored, it will last for about 2-3 years from the manufacturing date. The packaging should have a “best by” date because you don’t know how long it was sitting on the shelf before you bought it, so it’s reasonable to stick to it.
In case you’ve returned home with a massive bag of quinoa, you have to keep it dry foremost to store it safely for as long as possible.
Step by step – How to store cooked quinoa?
Cooked quinoa rarely lasts long in the refrigerator, so eat it as soon as you can. Although you can store it in the fridge for up to a week, the quality will gradually deteriorate. This is due to moisture in the refrigerator. After a week it’s time to toss it.
The freezer is the best option for storing cooked quinoa for an extended period of time, even up to a year. When cooking quinoa, you can leave it on the counter for up to 2 hours without risk of spoilage. Bacteria begin to form on it after more than 2 hours because they multiply rapidly at temperatures ranging from 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here’s how to store uncooked quinoa in the fridge:
- Prepare the dried quinoa as a recipe or the packaging suggests.
- Let is cool down to room temperature, but don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours.
- Put it in a suitable container and into the fridge.
- Eat it in 7 days!
Here’s how to store cooked quinoa in the freezer:
- Cook the quinoa as you prefer.
- Let it cool down for a maximum of 2 hours on room temperature.
- Put them in a freezable container or either divide them to individual servings.
- Label them with the date and content.
- Put it in the freezer for a maximum of 12 months, but best to eat it in 2-3 months.
How to identify spoiled quinoa?
Dried quinoa can be stored for a very long time in a cool, dark space in a sealed container, even up to 2-3 years. If you see some mold forming, it’s time to throw it out ASAP. Otherwise, because the scent and texture don’t change much, it’s difficult to tell if it’s gone bad. Try to do a smell test before you cook it.
But the only surefire way to tell if it’s still edible is to cook it, frankly. When cooked, you will see if it has a weird smell or taste, or even a gritty and hard texture. Those are signs that you shouldn’t eat it anymore. If it’s way past 7 days of cooking, you shouldn’t even think about it and toss it out right away, no taste test needed. They, like all foods, go bad after a certain time or when exposed to moisture.
Although it might sounds fussy, quinoa is probably of the most popular gluten-free alternatives to rice and cereals today. That is partly due and also because it’s a great source of vitamins and minerals and pairs exceptionally well with many foods.
So, do you already know how long does quinoa last in the fridge after cooked or uncooked? Please, feel free to leave your comments below!
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