The Serious Reason Everyone Should Freeze Their Nuts

Get your mind out of the gutter.

As part of HuffPost’s “Reclaim” project, HuffPost Taste will focus the entire month of July on simple ways you can reduce food waste in your own home.

Nuts are an investment in the kitchen ― they cost more than the average pantry staple. And due to their high oil content they can go bad faster than you can eat them. Nuts can turn rancid in as little as 2-4 weeks if stored in the pantry. Rather than race through a bag of almonds to consume the last one before it spoils on you, consider freezing your nuts.

Nuts freeze really well ― most of them for a year or more ― and don’t require any prep before popping them in the icebox like fruit does. You’ll want to be sure they’re in a well-sealed bag, and labeling them with the date is not a bad idea, either. You can cook with them straight from the freezer too ― no need to heat up, unless you want a toasted nut flavor.

Here’s a guide for how long they all last when frozen:

Almonds
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Almonds are good for one year in the freezer.
Pine Nuts
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Up to six months in the freezer.
Pistachios
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Up to one year in the freezer.
Macadamia Nuts
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Anywhere from 9-12 months in the freezer.
Cashews
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Cashews can stay good for one year in the freezer.
Walnuts
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Walnuts will last for a year in the freezer.
Pecans
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Pecans can last up to two years in the freezer. So stock up next time these nuts are on sale!
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