Do Lima Beans Go Bad?

Beans are kidney-shaped seeds, and most of them are edible. There are many kinds of beans that are found in the shape of the kidney. These beans are used a lot all around the globe, especially in Asian countries.

Lima beans are also known as butter beans and are used a lot in every part of the world. If you are a lima beans lover, then you want them to last for a long time. It is possible if you will store them properly; otherwise, it will go bad very quickly.  Some important information about the storage, shelf life, and spoilage of lima beans is explained briefly below in this article.

How to Store Lima Beans?

Lima beans are one of the shelf-stable food products, but it requires some care. If you take good care of them, then they will last for many years. So, that means that storage plays a vital role in the long-lasting of food products.

If you have bought too many lima beans and you are thinking of using them for a long time, the first thing you should do is that you should store them properly. If you have stored dried beans, then storing lima beans would not be difficult for you. Some important storage guidelines for lima beans are given below.

Place at room temperature

You can store the lima beans opened or unopened at room temperature. The room temperature will not affect the lima beans at all. It is because the lima beans are shelf-stable. If you have bought a small amount of lima beans, you can store them at room temperature without fear.

Keep it covered properly

For the long life of lima beans, you should keep them covered all the time. After taking an amount from the bag of lima beans, you should cover and seal it properly. It prevents the lima beans from the moisture and avoids the other insects from goo in the bag. Moisture and insects will affect the quality and shelf life of lima beans.

Store in refrigerator

If you think that how can you increase the shelf life of lima beans, you don’t have to worry. You can increase the shelf life of lima beans by storing them in the refrigerator. The best method for storing the lima beans for a long time is to store them at a cool place, and the best for it in the refrigerator. So, if you want your lima beans to last for a long time, then you can store them in the refrigerator.

Store in the freezer

For long-term storage, you should store the lima beans in the freezer. The shelf life of lima beans will extend in the freezer.

Can You Freeze Lima Beans?

If you have bought a can of lima beans and are not thinking of using it, you can store it in the freezer. Lima beans also freeze very well. You can directly store the unopened can of the lima beans in the freezer as it is.

But if you want to store the opened can of lima beans in the freezer, you have to follow some steps before freezing it.  Blanching is important for lima beans before you freeze them. After you cool it, spread them on a tray.  Store the tray in the refrigerator for some time before freezing. After that, transfer the beans to an airtight container or freezer bags and then put them in the freezer for long-term storage.

How Long Do Lima Beans last?

Lima beans are shelf-stable. Therefore, they can last for a long time. But the shelf life of lima beans also depends upon the storage conditions. It will last for a long time if you store them properly. Properly stored lima beans can last for three to five years.

An opened can of lima beans will last for a week in the refrigerator, and if you store it in the freezer, then it will last for almost three months, retaining its best quality. On the other hand, the shelf life of an unopened can of lima beans is three years, as I have mentioned earlier.

How to Tell If Lima Beans Is Bad?

Despite having a very long shelf life, lima beans can also go bad. If you have an opened can of lima beans sitting in your fridge for months, then you should check it before using it. It is because the opened can lima beans can go bad very quickly. To tell whether it is bad or not, you should take care of the following things.

• Check the smell of the lima beans. If they smell bad, then it means that they have gone bad. Try not to use them.
• Check the appearance of the lima beans. If the color or texture of the lima beans has changed, then it would be best for you to get rid of them at once.
• If you notice any mold growth in the beans, then you should not use it as well.

Sources

• Pokpoksom
• Still Tasty
• The Spruce Eats