9 Ways To Make Un-Sealed Packaged Food Last Longer

Isn’t it super annoying to leave a bag of crispy chips open for a day and the next day it’s just a soggy slice of potato? Or when a can of soda magically turns into flat sugar syrup? Well not anymore! Here are 9 tricks to make packaged food last longer even when unsealed.

1. Dry Cereal

Dry cereals loose their crunch after just a few weeks but investing in a good packet re-sealer or fold the packet down tightly to avoid any air to get in.

2. Olive Oil

Olive Oil can be used for almost 6 months after opening. It tastes best when kept in temperatures between 65°F – 75°F (20°C – 25°C). Because light and air can cause it to deteriorate, keep it tightly sealed in a dim place.

3. Chips

The easiest way is to tuck some folding tricks up your sleeve or if you’re the kind who’d rather do the origami with paper, tie the mouth of the packet with rubber bands, metal clips or clothespins.

4. Canned Fish

Canned piscine family members stay fresh for up to 48 hours after opening. Transfer the opened fish to a sealed glass container or plastic bag and the food will stay fresh for 2 to 3 months in the pantry or 4 to 6 months in the fridge.

5. Spaghetti Sauce

You know that zingy acidic taste in your spaghetti sauce? Yeah, it’s not a flavor, your sauce has gone bad. Unfortunately, even unopened, jarred spaghetti sauce has a shelf life of 18 months (it goes up to a week in the fridge on opening), it stays fresh for only a few days after opening, so it’s advisable to buy small jars and use it quickly.

6. Ground Coffee

Ok, storing an opened jar of coffee in the fridge does NOT retain its freshness. On the contrary, the refrigerator’s moisture can cause coffee to develop off flavors, so store it in a dark place at room temperature. And if you don’t trust the company’s packaging, store the coffee in your own airtight jar instead!

7. Packaged Meat

Packaged meats taste good only up to 3-5 days after opening the packet or can but you can make them stay edible longer by simply freezing them.

8. Vanilla Extract

This delicious extract can stay fresh after opening for almost a year (outside the fridge). But vanilla’s gentle oils break down easily, so keep it securely closed for maximum flavor.

9. Yogurt

If store bought, the yogurt will stay fresh after opening for 1 week in the refrigerator (homemade has a longer shelf life) and there isn’t much you can do to prevent that. But it often happens that the thick yogurt separates from a liquid-y layer. It’s ok, don’t panic, just stir it all back together and eat!