Your pantry can easily become a catchall for items you rarely use or that have passed their prime. Over time, this clutter can make it harder to find what you need and even impact the quality of your food.
Knowing what to throw away helps you create a safer, more organized pantry that makes cooking and meal prep easier. Taking a little time to clear out unnecessary items can make a big difference in your kitchen routine.
Expired canned goods
You might think canned goods last forever, but they do have a shelf life. While many canned items can be safe past their expiration date, their quality and flavor will decline over time.
Check for signs like bulging cans, rust, or leaks. These are clear indicators you should toss the item.
If you find a can that looks fine but is well past its date, use your best judgment. However, when in doubt, it’s safer to throw it away. Your health and safety come first.
Opened spice jars older than a year
If you have opened spice jars that are over a year old, it’s time to consider tossing them. Spices lose their flavor and aroma over time, making your dishes less tasty.
You can check if a spice is still good by smelling it. If the scent is weak or off, it’s probably past its prime.
Keeping fresh spices in airtight containers in a cool, dark spot helps them last longer. But once opened and aged more than a year, replacing them will improve your cooking.
Stale snacks like chips or crackers
You might find chips or crackers in your pantry that have lost their crunch and flavor. These snacks don’t necessarily need to be harmful, but they won’t taste very good either. It’s a good idea to toss any that seem stale or have been open too long.
If you have just a few stale pieces left, it might be time to say goodbye. Stale snacks won’t satisfy your cravings and can make your pantry feel cluttered. To avoid this, store your snacks in airtight containers or try keeping them in the fridge or freezer to stay fresh longer.
Boxes of baking powder past expiration
If your baking powder is past its expiration date, it’s best to toss it out. Expired baking powder loses its ability to make your baked goods rise, leaving them dense and flat.
Though it won’t harm you, it won’t give the results you expect in recipes either.
You can test if your baking powder is still active by adding a bit to hot water; if it bubbles, it’s still good. If not, throw it away.
Expired baking powder can be useful for cleaning or deodorizing, but for baking, fresh is always better.
