All About Red lentils
Your complete guide to red lentils - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Red lentils Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for red lentils in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Unopened dry red lentils (pantry)2-5 years (often safe beyond, but quality may diminish after 2 years)
Signs of Spoilage
Presence of pantry pests (weevils, moths), visible mold, clumping or hardening due to moisture absorption, strong musty or chemical off-odor, significant discoloration.
How to Check
Visually inspect for any signs of insects, larvae, or webbing. Check for any green, black, or white fuzzy patches indicating mold. Smell the lentils – they should have a mild, earthy, neutral scent; any strong, sour, musty, or chemical smell indicates spoilage. Feel for excessive hardness or clumping, which suggests moisture damage.
Storage Tips
Store in a cool, dark, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity. The 'best by' date primarily indicates peak quality, not necessarily safety. Properly stored lentils can often be safe to consume well past this date.
Opened dry red lentils (pantry)1-2 years
Signs of Spoilage
Similar to unopened: pantry pests, visible mold, clumping/hardening, strong off-odors, discoloration. Higher risk of these issues due to exposure to air and potential contaminants.
How to Check
Visually inspect for pests or mold. Smell for any off-odors (musty, sour, chemical). Check for clumping or excessive hardness. If you notice any signs, it's best to discard them.
Storage Tips
Once opened, transfer the lentils to an airtight container (glass jar, heavy-duty plastic container) to protect them from moisture, pests, and air exposure. Store in a cool, dark, dry pantry. This will help maintain their quality and prevent spoilage.
Cooked red lentils (fridge)3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Sour, fermented, or unpleasant smell; slimy or sticky texture; visible mold (green, white, black fuzzy spots); significant discoloration from their original cooked color; excessive liquid or separation.
How to Check
Perform a smell test first – they should smell neutral or mildly earthy, not sour or foul. Visually inspect for any mold growth or unusual discoloration. Touch the lentils – if they feel slimy or overly sticky, they are likely spoiled. If in doubt, it's best to discard.
Storage Tips
Cool cooked lentils rapidly (within 2 hours) and transfer them to an airtight container before refrigerating. This prevents bacterial growth. Reheat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) if consuming.
Cooked red lentils (freezer)3-6 months (for optimal quality)
Signs of Spoilage
Severe freezer burn (dry, discolored, leathery spots); significant alteration in texture (becoming overly mushy or crumbly after thawing); noticeable loss of flavor; off-flavors upon reheating. While still safe beyond 6 months, quality rapidly declines.
How to Check
Visually inspect for extensive freezer burn. After thawing, check the texture – it may be slightly softer than freshly cooked, but shouldn't be completely disintegrated. Smell should be neutral upon thawing; any off-odors mean it's compromised. Taste a small amount if visual and smell tests pass; if flavor is significantly off, discard.
Storage Tips
Portion cooked lentils into freezer-safe bags or airtight containers. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen, ensuring they are heated through completely.