How Long do Black Beans Last in the Fridge?

Black beans are categorized as legumes that you will find in almost all households. Homemakers prefer keeping the canned or cooked black beans in the fridge for fast snacks and meals. But, what most homemakers don’t know is do black beans go bad and how long do black beans last in the fridge.   

How Long do Black Beans Last in the Fridge? The store-bought canned black beans come with preservatives, and hence they have a longer shelf-life. They tend to last up to seven days in a fridge after opening. However, the home-cooked black beans have a shorter shelf life as it lasts only five days in the fridge. The shelf-life of black beans depends greatly on the storage condition and whether they are uncooked or cooked. The uncooked black beans can stay good for up to ten months in dried form.  

These are the short descriptions of how long black beans last, as there is more you have to learn before stocking black beans in your pantry or fridge. So, continue reading the nitty-gritty of storing black beans in the fridge and their shelf-life.  

How Long do Black Beans Last in the Fridge? 

The properly cooked black beans last for 3-5 days in the fridge. You have to store them properly in an airtight container to sustain their quality and lock the flavors in the cooked black beans. The canned black beans bought from the store will last up to seven days in the fridge. But it will demand continuous refrigeration. It must be stored after draining the brine to make it last longer after opening.  

The unopened can of black beans needs no refrigeration as it comes with preservatives and brine that heightens the shelf-life up to five years. But, it must be stored in places away from light, heat sources, and moisture. The uncooked black beans in dried form also need no refrigeration. It lasts for 8-10 months outside a fridge.  

To prolong the shelf-life of home-cooked black beans, you must ensure storing them in an airtight container. The black beans must be stored in a sealed container below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It will help the cooked black beans to stay cool and last longer for up to five days.  

How to Store Black Beans Safely in the Fridge? 

The black bean’s shelf life can be extended easily by storing them as prescribed. Black beans will go rancid if they are not stored properly in the fridge. Even the cool temperature won’t help prevent bacterial growth in the black beans if they are not stored properly. So, follow the guide below on safely storing black beans in the fridge to prolong their shelf life.  

  • Cook the dried black beans at home properly. Drain the excess water from the beans after cooking. If you have canned black beans, drain the brine after opening.
  • Leave the cooked black beans at room temperature for at least 1-2 hours to cool down properly before refrigerating.  
  • Transfer the cool black beans into an airtight container with a secured lid. Cover the container with the lid tightly before transferring the container into the fridge
  • Put the container into the fridge and store it continuously at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit  

If you want to prolong the shelf-life of canned black beans, ensure to store them in an airtight container and avoid storing them in the original can. Besides, use an airtight glass container in place of a plastic container as plastic leaches chemicals into the beans and may accelerate the spoilage process.  

How to Know If Your Black Beans Have Gone Bad? 

Unlike dried black beans, the cooked black beans will go rancid once they are above seven days, regardless of the storage conditions. Even if stored in the fridge, the black beans will start to degrade after seven days. However, the spoilage process accelerates when the cooked black beans are improperly stored. 

So, it is necessary to learn the methods to check when your cooked black beans have gone bad and are no longer edible.  

  • Take a sniff test and inspect the beans closely to see if they release any sour smell. If it gives a sour smell, it is time to discard them. 
  • Check the appearance of the cooked black beans stored in the fridge for more than seven days. When the black beans go bad, it changes in texture, and you will see beans getting slimy. 
  • You also have to check if there is any mold growth on the surface of the black beans. The black beans are prone to mold growth, especially when stored improperly. You can avoid it by preventing air and moisture from leaking in.   

What is the Minimum and Maximum Shelf Life of Black Beans in the Fridge? 

The cooked black beans have a minimum shelf life of 3 days and a maximum shelf-life of one week, especially when properly refrigerated. You must use a glass or steel airtight container to store the cooked black beans. It will help prolong the shelf life of the beans while keeping the flavors intact. 

How Long Canned Black Beans Last in the Fridge? 

Canned black beans last for 2-3 days in the fridge after opening. However, you may use it after 3 days if you see no spoilage signs in the beans. Besides, the canned black beans start degrading faster when you store them in the original can. So, transfer the beans into an airtight container to extend their shelf-life.     

How Long Black Beans Last Outside a Fridge? 

Cooked black beans won’t last long outside a fridge. Cooked black beans stored outside a fridge for more than two hours must be discarded. After two hours, there is a higher possibility of bacterial growth in the cooked beans. It must be refrigerated within two hours of cooking to avoid it from happening.  

Conclusion 

As you know how long do black beans last in the fridge, you may now cook black beans at home and store the leftovers for future meals. Black beans usually last for 3-5 days in the fridge, but they must be refrigerated within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth and spoiling.  

Sour smell, texture change, and mold growth on the surface are some of the spoilage signs you must look at before using the black beans stored in the fridge for more than 5 days. Use a glass or steel airtight container to store the black beans as it helps prolong the shelf-life while keeping the flavors intact.

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About Joy

Hi, I'm Martin and my friends call me Joy. From an early age, I was interested in food, vegetables, and fruits. I even have a nutritionist certificate. While searching for some information, I didn't find the answer, so I start a page BrunchWithJoy.com

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