Wait, Do Spices Go Bad? Read This Before Your Next Trip to the Store (2024)

Here at The Pioneer Woman, we're not shy about cooking with spices. In fact, Ree Drummond's pantry is stocked to the brim with all sorts of spice jars for her very best recipes. But imagine choosing that perfect recipe for your family dinner only to realize that it calls for a handful of spices you haven't used in years. That raises the question: Do spices actually go bad? And if so, how long do spices last? The answer isn't so cut and dry.

It might come as a surprise, but spices can lose their freshness over time, which means losing their flavor potency, too. They won't go bad in the same way that cheese gets moldy, so how can you tell if your spices have gone bad? The best test you can do is to open the jar and take a good whiff. Do they smell fragrant and like the spice they're supposed to smell like? If they just smell like nothing, or only smell very faintly, then it's probably time to toss them.

And before you organize your pantry, consider these additional tips for refreshing your spice drawer. Then, try making some of Ree's best recipes with them! Use ground cumin and paprika in slow cooker white chicken chili, chili powder in butternut squash and black bean enchiladas, warm cinnamon in cinnamon baked french toast, or dried dill and chives in zesty garlic-ranch party mix. You can even make your own pumpkin pie spice!

How long do spices last?

Shelf life depends on the type of spice. Ground spices (like chili powder and paprika) typically last anywhere from six months to two years, while whole herb leaves (like parsley, oregano, and dill) will last you one to three years. If you have jars of whole spices (like allspice or peppercorns), they'll have a little longer of a lifespan. Since they aren't ground, their fragrant oils will stay intact longer, so you can count on those lasting up to three or four years.

If all else fails, follow the expiration date listed on the jar! While spices can still be good past that day, it's still good guidance since you probably don't know how old it was when you bought it or when you bought it in the first place. Do you put your spices in new jars when you get home? No problem! Use a label maker to mark the expiration date on the bottom, so you'll always have it on hand.

When should I throw out my spices?

As mentioned before, do the smell test and check the expiration dates first to determine if you need a new batch of spices. If you know you've had the spices for five years or more, then you should definitely toss them and treat your pantry to some fresh ones. To make it more budget friendly, replace as you make new meals. Double check your pantry as you write your grocery list, so it's more economical and nothing goest to waste. Spices can get pricey!

How can I organize my spices?

The rule of thumb for organizing spices is to make them as visible and accessible as you can, given the space you have in your home. If you have a drawer, you can lay them label side up, so you can easily read and grab. You can also claim some wall space and hang a rack or designate a shelf to be your go-to. If you choose the latter, we suggest short stacked shelving units to maximize the space and keep all labels visible. Lastly, if you have counter space, a lazy susan or standing spice rack is perfect for everyday jars like salt and pepper.

In terms of what spices should go where, there are a few schools of thought. You could alphabetize them so you know to look at the front for basil and at the back for za'atar. Otherwise, you could put your favorites at the front and leave the occasional spices for the back row. You could also separate savory and sweet, placing the common cooking spices on one shelf and more common baking spices on another. The choice is yours based on how you cook in the kitchen!