How long should dried lentils keep? nm

[rhett o rick]

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Best used within a year or so....

Lentil Storage
Dried lentils have an indefinite shelf-life, yet another reason why our ancestors kept them as a staple food. With age, the color may fade a bit, but the flavor will not noticeably deteriorate. Store lentils in a sealed package or airtight container in a cool, dry place. For best flavor and presentation, use dried lentils within one year.

from about.com

[rhett o rick]

2. Thanks for the response. I have some that I know are older than a year.

I am not worried about the color just concerned about their taste.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. I've used some that were probably 2 years or so and didn't really notice

a taste difference.

[rhett o rick]

9. Thanks. I used them for some lentil stew this evening. nm

[TygrBright]

4. They should be just fine. I've kept lentils for upwards of 3-4 years in airtight storage.

And cooked them up for salad or lentil loaf and they were delicious.

helpfully,
Bright

[elleng]

5. My Pakistani friend,

who also cooks for us regularly, says probably a few centuries!!! The longer kept, the longer soaking takes.

[Warpy]

6. Lentils aren't high in oil, so there's nothing much to go rancid

and I agree with your Pakistani friend.

Some legumes with a high oil content do go rancid.

[rhett o rick]

7. Thank you very much. nm

[Gormy Cuss]

8. The longer soaking...yes, that's the key difference.

All dried beans dry out a bit more with age and take longer to soak, longer to cook.

[surrealAmerican]

10. You soak them?

I don't usually soak lentils, just boil for about 25 minutes. How long do you soak them? How long do you cook them after soaking?

[rhett o rick]

12. Mine are dated 2007 and I just put them in a stew with canned tomatoes and broth and simmered

them for an hour and they came out great.

[Texasgal]

11. Good question!

I have some in the pantry that are pretty old... like maybe a year.

[rhett o rick]

13. Well based on the comments above I tried the ones I have that are 6 years old.

I put them in with crushed canned tomatoes and vegetable broth and simmered them for an hour and they came out fine.

[Texasgal]

14. Good to know!

I have a recipe for a lentil loaf I'd like to try...

[rhett o rick]

15. I am not familiar with lentil loaf. I will look it up on the internets.

Always looking for healthy meals.

[Texasgal]

16. Here:

ngredientsSavings in Austin, TX 73301 Change Zip
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) vegetable broth
3/4 cup lentils, rinsed
1-3/4 cups shredded carrots
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
1 egg
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons water
Directions
In a saucepan, bring broth and lentils to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes or until tender. In a nonstick skillet, saute carrots, onion and mushrooms in oil 10 minutes or until tender. Add basil and parsley; saute 5 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine carrot mixture, cooked lentils, cheese, rice, egg, egg white, garlic powder, salt and pepper; mix well.
Transfer to a 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Combine tomato paste and water until smooth; spread over top of loaf. Bake 45-50 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Yield: 6 servings.

[Lucinda]

17. Until one of the apocalypses actually happens.

I like lentils, so they don't hang around my house too long.

[rhett o rick]

18. Well for info, I used some I had that were 6 years past the pull date and they turned out

great.