How Long does Quinoa Last? | Raw / Cooked / In the Fridge
Quinoa is one of the most versatile ingredients for preparing a variety of sweet and savory items. Whether you add it to your salad or burger patties, everything tastes simply awesome. Many people prefer quinoa as their evening snacks since it’s light and healthy. Now, when it comes to storing quinoa at home, many people want to know how long does quinoa last. If you are searching for the same, here you go.
There is a variety of dishes that you can enrich with this powerful ingredient. Quinoa smoothie is one of the healthiest options for breakfast as it boosts you with the goodness of protein and fiber that you can prepare at home with this recipe.
You can drink it any time of the day to feel refreshed. Only soaking the quinoa grains in water for half an hour will prepare it for blending with other ingredients for a smoothie. Now, without any further delay, let us know whether quinoa goes bad.
Does Quinoa go Bad?
Yes, Quinoa does go bad. Many people wonder whether cooked quinoa will last till the end of the week. Also, sometimes a large proportion of quinoa grain is left untouched at the pantry and people want to know how long it will last. The storage method is the ultimate catalyst that can either spoil the grain or keep it intact. Hence, all you need to know is how and where to store quinoa properly.
So, for your question can quinoa go bad, our answer is yes. Like most of the other grains and products, quinoa also has a shelf life and it goes bad after a certain period of time. For both cooked and uncooked quinoa, the shelf life differs as well as the signs of decay. To protect cooked quinoa from going bad, there are several methods that we have covered below. Before that, you need to know how to tell if cooked quinoa is bad.
How Long Does Cooked Quinoa Last?
Cooked quinoa lasts not more than two hours when you leave it at room temperature. If you store it in the refrigerator it may last for 5-7 days and if you store it in a freezer properly, you will be amazed to know that it may last for eight to twelve months. When frozen quinoa is reheated, it won’t last long.
How to tell if Cooked Quinoa is Bad?
It is difficult to tell when uncooked quinoa goes bad but you can easily tell when cooked quinoa has gone bad. Sometimes cooked quinoa has an abnormally hard texture or it starts emitting foul smell. It mostly happens when the cooked quinoa is left at room temperature for more than two hours. These are the indications that it is rotten.
Also, when your cooked quinoa lasts for a long time in the fridge, the texture becomes moldy. This is also a sign indicating the quinoa has gone bad and you need to discard it immediately. These are some simple indications that you will easily detect when you look closely.
Signs that Quinoa Has Gone Bad
There are different signs that indicate your quinoa has gone bad. For uncooked quinoa, you need to give it a whiff before you start your preparation. If the texture and smell are changed, it is a sign that your quinoa might have gone bad.
For cooked quinoa, the smell and texture are the signs, which are easier to detect. If cooked quinoa is left for more than two hours at room temperature, it becomes very hard and a foul smell starts emitting from it. These are the indications. Also, when you reheat the frozen quinoa and then again freeze it, the texture and smell changes, which are the signs.
Does Uncooked Quinoa go Bad?
Yes, uncooked quinoa goes bad since it comes with an expiry date. You can check the expiry date at the package label to see how long it will last. Since quinoa is a dry grain, it has a longer shelf life than many other ingredients in your pantry.
Yet, it comes with a specific shelf life and starts to decompose after that specific time. If it has mold, you should not consume it and discard it immediately. If you follow the storage methods mentioned above, the shelf life might extend and the decay process might delay than usual.
How Long does Uncooked Quinoa Last?
Uncooked quinoa lasts for about 2 to 3 years from the time of its production. Most of the packaged quinoas are labeled with a ‘best by’ date instead of an expiration date for this reason. There is a variety of quinoa in the market such as red, white, and black ones. The shelf life of all these varieties is the same.
| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Quinoa | 2 to 3 years | 2 to 3 years | – |
| Cooked Quinoa | <2 Hours | 5-7 days | 8-12 months |
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How to Store Quinoa?
How long can you store quinoadepends upon how and where you store it. Now, storing quinoa also depends upon the state of the product before the storing stage. You can easily store packed uncooked quinoa at room temperature since the packaging protects it from external air. To extend its shelf life, you need to keep it away from moisture and excessive heat.
For unpacked quinoa, it is better to store it in the fridge. The refrigerator will automatically protect it from external air, heat, and moisture. Hence, it will extend the shelf life and delay the degradation process. If your quinoa is about to expire, you can keep it in the fridge to extend the shelf life.
Cooked quinoa needs to be packed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge. When you have leftovers that you want to eat later, you can refrigerate it and reheat later. The texture might change so you need to be careful while reheating.
Conclusion
Quinoa is rich in nutrients including protein and fiber. It is a versatile option since it makes a staple food as well as a side dish, beverage, or snacks. You can not only prepare quinoa smoothie, you can add quinoa in other fruit smoothies too like in mango smoothie with this recipe.
There are plenty of options when you want to cook this healthy ingredient to perfection. Many people prefer it since it is vegan and gluten-free. You can ration in a large amount and store it as mentioned to extend its shelf life. Just like rice, wheat, and other grains, it will go bad when the package is leaked or the unpacked product is not stored in the fridge.
