Nuts About Freshness: How to Store Nuts and Nut Butters the Right Way

It’s the season of baking, grazing boards, and festive foods. For many of us, that means buying and using more nuts. From pecans and hazelnuts in holiday baking to walnuts in stuffing, almonds on green beans, and bowls of mixed nuts on the table, nuts make a big appearance during the holidays.

While they might look like hardy pantry staples, nuts are actually more delicate than they seem. And they’re expensive, so proper storage and making the most of every last nut is key! Here’s what you need to know.

Which Nuts Last the Longest?

Nuts are prone to spoiling (going rancid) due to their high content of natural oils. These same oils are also found in seeds like flax, hemp, chia, sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds, making them equally susceptible. The more processed or exposed the nut or seed is, the faster it can go rancid.

Nuts in the shell last the longest due their natural barrier to air, light, and moisture.

Shelled raw nuts are more exposed than nuts in the shell. 

Roasted nuts have a shorter shelf life because roasting accelerates oil breakdown. 

Chopped, sliced, or ground nuts spoil the fastest due to increased surface area. 

What’s the Best Way to Store Nuts?

If you use nuts regularly and go through them within a couple of weeks, you can store them in a cool, dark pantry in an airtight container.

If you buy in bulk or don’t often use nuts, store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Freezing is the best way to preserve nuts long-term. No need to thaw, when you’re ready to use them – just take what you need. 

What Exactly Does it Mean When Nuts “Go Rancid”?

When nuts go rancid, they undergo a chemical change that causes them to lose nutrients and form potentially harmful compounds. These changes don’t just affect taste and smell—they also impact food safety. Some of the byproducts produced during rancidity have been linked to inflammation and other negative health effects when consumed regularly. So while eating one or two rancid nuts likely won’t cause harm, it’s best to avoid eating food that has gone rancid.

How Can You Tell If Nuts Have Gone Rancid?

Don’t rely on looks or the Best Before Date. Your nose and taste buds will usually give you a clear answer. Here’s what to watch for:

• Smell: Fresh nuts smell mild, sweet, or even a bit buttery. Rancid nuts may smell like paint, putty, old crayons, or even nail polish remover.
• Taste: A bitter, sour, or metallic taste is a clear sign of rancidity. 
• Texture: Some nuts may feel greasy, soft or rubbery instead of crisp. 

Trust your senses, if the smell or taste is off, it’s likely they’re past their prime. 

Just to clarify, stale nuts are not the same as rancid nuts. Stale nuts have lost their crunch and freshness due to absorbing moisture or being exposed to air. They may taste a bit flat or chewy, but they’re still safe to eat. For example, if you leave nuts out uncovered, overnight, they might go stale, not rancid. 

Make the Most of Your Nuts

First, buy only what you need, it’s the best way to prevent nut waste. Second, find ways to add nuts where you may not have used them before: 

• Add to oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream, or cereal
  A small handful adds crunch and protein. Try toasting them first for better flavour.
• Blend into sauces or salad dressings
  Cashews, walnuts, and almonds add creaminess to vinaigrettes and dairy-free sauces.
• Make pesto.
  Most nuts can be used in place of pine nuts to make delicious pesto.  
• Sprinkle on roasted veggies or salads
  Adds texture and visual appeal, even with small amounts.
• Use in crusts or coatings
  Finely chop and mix with breadcrumbs or herbs to coat chicken, fish, or tofu.
• Make your own nut butter
  If you’ve got a food processor and a few cups of nuts, you’re in business.
• Bake with them
  Even if a recipe doesn’t call for it, nuts make a great addition to crumbly toppings or to muffins, loaves, energy bars and cookies.

Nuts are delicious, nutritious and versatile, but they do require a little extra attention and care.  Let us know how you like to use nuts during the holiday season and how you make sure every last one gets used! We’d love to hear your tips.