How Long Are Canned Green Beans Good For? Solved

Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Shari Mason

If you’re searching for a practical and nutritious option for storing food, consider choosing green beans. They’re convenient to have on hand and contain many beneficial nutrients. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that this only applies when they are fresh. Therefore, it’s important to know the expiration date of canned green beans to prevent them from spoiling if you plan on storing them for an extended period of time.

We’ll explain how long canned green beans typically last and advise on how to store them best for optimal freshness.

How Long Can Canned Green Beans Last?

Canned green beans can last 2 to 5 years as long as they are stored properly. According to the USDA, most canned goods can last for several years so long as the can is still in good condition.

Typically, commercially canned green beans last longer than home-canned ones. Commercially canned green beans are usually marked with a “best before” or “best by” date instead of an expiration date.

The date on the label indicates that they are of their best quality for consumption. Consuming beyond that time doesn’t mean they are not safe; rather, they are not in the peak or best quality.

Read:

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Canned Green Beans Shelf Life

Unopened

Unopened commercially canned beans are best consumed within 3-5 years after canning, while home-canned green beans are ideally consumed within 1-2 years.

If the canned green beans are consumed beyond the ideal dates, they might lose some texture, color, taste, and other vitamins. Consumption should still be safe as long as there’s no sign of spoilage.

Read: Can You Eat The Bones In Canned Salmon?

Opened 

Once opened, canned green beans should not be left at room temperature and should be cooked or consumed immediately if not refrigerated.

Canned green beans are sealed to prevent oxidation and protect from moisture. Once opened, the environmental factors at room temperature will haste the spoilage of the beans.

Read: How To Cook Canned Black Beans In The Microwave?

Refrigerated

Opened canned green beans can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, but they should be transferred to a plastic or glass container.

“If you keep good food in your fridge, you will eat good food.”

– Errick McAdams, DC personal trainer.

It is also important to ensure that it is refrigerated within two hours of opening to avoid spoilage and retain its quality while storing.

How To Tell If Canned Green Beans Have Gone Bad

Past Expiration Date

Expiration dates are the most basic reference to determine the safeness of any goods and the most basic guideline on when they should be consumed.

Canned green beans may still be safe to consume past the expiration date as long as the can is undamaged and there are no signs of spoilage on the beans.

Molds 

If you see any molds on the surface of your canned green beans, then it is time to throw them away. Molds can be easy to spot as it is visible and may accompany by fizzing, foaming, or spurting after opening.

Moldy canned green beans are unsafe and may lead to food poisoning if consumed.

Off Smell

If your canned green beans emit a foul smell or any pungent odors, it is best to discard the beans straight away. 

It is always recommended to open the can and sniff before consumption, even if there are no visible signs of spoilage, as some bacteria may produce toxins that cannot be detected by sight.

Texture

If the texture of your canned green beans is mushy or soft, then it is probably gone bad. Canned green beans that are safe for consumption appear bright green and should have a firm texture that snaps when broken.

Proper Storage Of Canned Green Beans

Like most canned goods, canned green beans should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight. [1]

It can be stored on any shelf or cabinet, but it should be away from a warm or humid place to keep the cans from rusting or corrosion.

Unopened canned green beans don’t need to be refrigerated. But once opened, it should be transferred to a safe container and refrigerated.

Can You Freeze Canned Green Beans?

Canned green beans should not be frozen directly in their original container/can as they may rust. Freezing them may also cause the beans to swell and lose their texture.

Suppose you must freeze canned green beans, transferring them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag is ideal. Freezing extends its shelf life after opening but will eventually decline its quality over time.

FAQs 

Can you eat canned green beans after the expiration date?

Yes. It is still safe for consumption as long as the can or the packaging is undamaged and there is no sign of spoilage on the green beans themselves (like foul odor, discoloration, or mold).

Commercially canned green beans have an indefinite shelf life if stored properly, but you should always check for any signs of spoilage if consumed beyond the expiration date.

Can you refrigerate opened canned green beans?

Canned green beans should be stored in the refrigerator within two hours after opening if they are not to be consumed immediately. Storing it in the fridge will last up to 3-5 days.

Once opened, it should also be transferred into a glass or plastic container.

Conclusion

Canned green beans can last 5 years if stored properly but eventually lose their quality over time.

For the best experience, canned green beans should be consumed before their “best before” or “expiration” dates.

Commercially canned green beans are best consumed within 3-5 years, while home-canned should be consumed within two years after canning.

Lastly, when consuming beyond the ideal storage period, make sure that the packaging is undamaged and there’s no sign of spoilage.

Reference:

1. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-canned-goods