How long do dry lentils last?

[Asha]

I have an insane amount of dry lentils that it doesn't appear we will use up before we move. We have had them for over 2 years now, and I don't want to transport bad lentils across the country. Do you think they are bad?

[tlew12778]

Nah. They last forever.

Lentil Storage
Dried lentils have an indefinite shelf-life, yet another reason why our ancestors kept them as a staple food. With age, the color may fade a bit, but the flavor will not noticeably deteriorate. Store lentils in a sealed package or airtight container in a cool, dry place. For best flavor and presentation, use dried lentils within one year. from about.com

[Sol]

I agree, they should be just fine. We're moving cross-country with all of our lentils too :lol:

[skyblu]

Lentils are bomb-shelter food. They last forever! ;)

That said, if you don't want to move them, you could donate them to a food pantry.

[Asha]

thanks everyone! i was kinda hoping they didn't last forever as i didn't want to haul them, but i dont' want to waste them either.

skyblue - i don't think a shelter would take them as they aren't in their original packaging, but its a good idea for some other food we have that doesn't make sense to move.

so, all you lentil experts, what is the point of adding oil to the lentils if they last forever? if you add oil to the lentils to preserve them does the oil really rinse out with water?

[skyblu]

I never heard of adding oil to dry lentils. I just keep them in airtight packages, dry.

To me, the whole point of lentils is that they're "low maintenance" compared to other dried beans and don't require overnight soaking to use them.

ETA: LOL at the "lentil experts" thing. I only use them for one dish, a very traditional Spanish lentil stew, but I make huge quantities of it because it freezes very well.

[Hello Kitty]

Care to share that recipe, Skyblu?

The moths got in my lentils so I currently have none. :(

[Asha]

The moths got in my lentils so I currently have none
want some of mine. :D

seriously, i am going to post a pic of all the lentils i have. it is really ridiculous how many lentils we have. its good to know we won't starve if there is nuclear bomb. :)

[Hello Kitty]

LOL, if it didn't cost more to ship I totally would.

Maybe you should sell them in parenting for people to fill their egg shakers with. :)

[tlew12778]

I just keep mine in an air tight container. The flour bugs don't even attack them.

[Hello Kitty]

Well I wanted to be all 'Martha' and store them in open glass jars. Will be adding rings and seals next time around. :rolleyes:

[skyblu]

I don't have a recipe, really. This was something my grandmother made, my mother makes, and so I make.

I sautee some onions and garlic in olive oil, add some diced carrots and red bell peppers, add a couple cans of diced tomatoes, and whatever spices I have on hand. Then I add the lentils and, if needed, some chicken broth and let it cook until the lentils are done. At the last minute, I toss in some cubed chorizo and let it warm through.

It tastes even better the next day, although it probably would not be great with mothy lentils. ;)

[tlew12778]

Well I wanted to be all 'Martha' and store them in open glass jars. Will be adding rings and seals next time around. :rolleyes:

You know, IKEA sells these pre-fab hermetic jars for like $2.

[pixielou]

Well I wanted to be all 'Martha' and store them in open glass jars. Will be adding rings and seals next time around. :rolleyes:

i keep mine in candle jars - you know those big jars candles come in. they look really pretty lined up on a shelf - the red lentils, the yellow ones, green ones, black ones, brown ones.

i actually use candle jars for tons of stuff - sugar, salt, brown sugar, open bags of nuts, chocolate chips, hot cocoa, tea bags, coffee. anything that needs to be in an airtight jar.

skyblu that's pretty much what i make with my lentils - but i don't add the chorizo.

~pixie