There are expired foods that are better not to eat ( sushi, meat, pâté, fish, ice cream, etc.).
These are better to throw away even if you spoil the food.
Like for example eggs, oysters or raw meat.
But other foods can be eaten years after the expiry date !
It's important to know this to avoid waste and throw away good stuff!
So here is the list of the 18 foods that you can eat even when expired:
Honey can keep for life ! It is completely safe, even decades after opening it.
Honey may change color or crystallize over time, but that doesn't make it bad.
To retain all of its flavor, store honey in a cool place and in a tightly closed container. If the honey crystallizes, simply place the open jar in hot water.
Outdated rice? It does not exist ! White, wild, arborio, jasmine and basmati rice have an almost infinite shelf life.
The only exception is brown rice. As it contains more oil, it has a shorter shelf life than other types of rice. But it remains completely edible without risk at least 2 years after the expiry date.
Either way, keep the rice cool and dry. Once the pouch is opened, put the rice in an airtight container. To retain all of its flavor, place the rice in the fridge or freezer.
White, brown or powdered sugar never expires because bacteria cannot grow there.
The hardest part with sugar is keeping it from hardening. Remember to store the sugar in a cool, dry place.
To prevent sugar from becoming rock hard, place it in an airtight container. This prevents moisture from entering.
But don't worry, you can still eat expired sugar without harming your health.
Found an old chocolate bar in the back of the cupboard? Are you hesitating to eat it? No worries!
You have up to 2 years after the deadline indicated to taste it. It would still be a shame to throw away that good hazelnut chocolate bar, wouldn't it?
Are you the type to respect yogurt expiry dates? Well, you should know that yogurts can be eaten 3 months after the expiry date!
Yes, no need to rush to eat them all! Now that you know it, you will be able to avoid a lot of mess at home.
Given the price of vanilla extract, it's important to know that you can keep it for life ! You will never need to throw away a single drop.
To keep vanilla extract full of flavor, store it in a cool place, in a dark cupboard and in a tightly closed container.
Hard expired pasta, including those sold in bulk, will keep for years past the expiration date.
The exception being, of course, fresh pasta, for which the date indicated on the package must be respected.
Pasta is therefore a food that you can easily buy in bulk if you come across a promotion at the supermarket.
Did you know that white vinegar is not only used for cleaning? It can also be used for marinades and salad dressings.
In any case, know that it will not move a bit over the years. Store it in a dark, well-closed cupboard.
Unlike fresh milk, UHT milk is sterilized. You therefore take no risk in drinking expired UHT milk up to 2 months after the expiry date.
It may have fewer vitamins and minerals, but that's it. And if you're over 2 months old, don't throw it away just yet. Discover our article on the 6 uses of expired milk here.
Do you hesitate to eat an expired can like this box of mackerels that has been expired since 2008? Don't throw it away and prepare your plate!
Cans do not expire and can be eaten quietly after the expiry date indicated.
As long as the can is not dented, swollen or punctured, there is no risk. You can eat your old sardines in oil without worry.
Like pasta and rice, all kinds of stale lentils can be eaten without harming your health. These are all dry products that do not risk anything.
You can consume them several years after the expiry date. To keep the flavor of the lentils, remember to keep them away from light in an airtight jar.
Same for dried beans, passing the best before date has no effect on this vegetable.
Expired cheese? Don't throw it away, because you can still eat it.
Eh yes ! Cheese has the big advantage of not going out of date ! Even when there is mold on it. Yes, yes, I swear. Me too, I had a hard time believing it.
But it is nevertheless the reality. The more moldy, the better! Why ? Because cheese is already mold. So get me a piece of bread and eat that old cheese that's been stinking up your fridge for 3 months.
Very useful for thickening sauces and puddings for example, corn flower (Maizena) can be kept for life.
Be sure to store it away from light and in an airtight container to avoid moisture.
Whether it's simple table salt or more sophisticated versions of salt (like Himalayan salt), salt is a flavor enhancer that never goes bad.
To prevent the salt from hardening, store it in a container in a dry place.
What is important here is to keep frozen foods at -18°C. In this case, you can eat them several years after the expiry date.
They may taste a little less good, but no risk to your health.
Be careful with chopped steaks frozen foods that must be eaten within 9 months which follow the expiry date.
Expired raw ham and expired sausage can also be eaten.
Not years after the date, huh. But you can go up to 2 weeks after the expiry date indicated on the package.
Spices do not expire . On the other hand, it is sure that they can lose their taste and become bland.
But no risk to your health. You can put those spices that have been in your cupboard for years without worrying.
For our Canadian readers, maple syrup does not expire. You can store it in the freezer to retain its full flavor for years. After opening it, keep it in the fridge.
For our French readers, know that in addition to being excellent with pancakes, maple syrup, expired or not, can add a great flavor to many different dishes.
For example, it is useful for caramelizing meats or vegetables in the oven.
And there you have it, you know consumable expired foods. No more mess!
The list of foods whose expiry date is missed is long!
Almond milk, UHT milk, smoked herring, canned sardines, breadcrumbs, tapioca, hummus, polenta, rice, peanuts, sesame seeds, wasabi, caramel, agave syrup, marzipan, popcorn, ginger, Coral lentils, hazelnut, dried fruit, dried tomatoes, Chinese noodles, dried mushrooms, tomato concentrate, mustard, Comté cheese, raisins, soy milk, cocoa powder, oil, dates, candied lemons, grenadine syrup, balsamic vinegar, coconut, chips, gelatin, rusk, tartiflette cheese, quinoa, candied fruit, soy steaks, emmental, orange blossom, tea, preserves, olives...
So to avoid leaving the DLC, remember to check the expiry date of food before shopping!
And as soon as you see that the use-by date is about to pass, cook them quickly.
And you, do you eat expired food? Do you know any others? If yes, which ones ? Share your experiences in comments.
