Tips for Buying & Storing Pecans | ILovePecans (2024)

FAQs

Tips for Buying & Storing Pecans | ILovePecans? ›

Airtight containers, such as jars with lids, are best for storing pecans in the refrigerator. Be wary that you do not want pecans to “sweat”. Sealed plastic bags are best for storing pecans in the freezer. In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months.

Airtight containers, such as jars with lids, are best for storing pecans in the refrigerator. Be wary that you do not want pecans to “sweat”. Sealed plastic bags are best for storing pecans in the freezer. In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months.

With their high amount of plant-based oil, pecans also last longer at lower temperatures preventing the fats from spoiling. Properly stored, shelled pecans can last for up to six months, while unshelled — or in-shell — pecans can last for up to nine to 12 months.

Pecans (and almost any food) can be preserved in Mason jars.

You can keep whole pecans in the shell fresh for up to 2 years when done right. Store pecans in small batches in airtight containers. Airtight jars are the best option but zip lock bags can do the job as well. Use two zip lock bags, then wrap them in a brown paper bag.

Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.

Don't bake with your shelled pecans right away. Place them in a colander and let them dry out for about 24 hours. This'll give them a better flavor and texture later on. Keep your pecans in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for a few weeks.

The Best Way to Store Nuts

The refrigerator, yes, but specifically, LaMarita recommends refrigerating nuts in air-tight glass jars. Store any extra nuts in the freezer in the bags they came in, he says. (If you don't have the original bags, consider using a freezer-safe air-tight container instead.)

If a nut is only slightly stale, says Kanney, it can usually still be toasted to revive some of its previous glory and (crunch). However, Kanney says, “If a nut has spoiled or gone rancid, recognizable by a sour or bitter flavor, the nut is no longer good and should be thrown away.”

Are pecans good for you? ›

Raw pecans pack a 1-2-3 punch of protein, healthy fats, and fiber that can help keep you energized and satisfied. Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which help lower blood pressure. Most of the fat found in pecans is a healthy type called monounsaturated fat.

Most nuts have mold on them. You may not be able to taste or see it, but they're kept in storage bins for weeks or months and accumulate mold, which produces toxins called mycotoxins. Soaking nuts helps reduce and eliminate mold from the nuts.

In-shell pecans can be stored at room temperature for a short period of time. Keep in a refrigerator, if so desired, to keep for longer than 4 months. If pecans need to be stored for more than a year, either in the shell, cracked, or shelled, they have to be placed in the freezer.

When stored in a freezer, keep them no longer than two years. Don't wash pecans. Don't run water over them or even use a damp towel to clean them. Especially in-shell pecans.

The good enough method: Put nuts in a glass container, ideally one with as little empty space as possible. Store sealed nuts in the freezer. “Keeping nuts at freezer temperatures dramatically slows down the rate that oxidation occurs,” says McNeil.