Baked Goods
How long does granulated sugar last in the pantry?
Granulated sugar is indefinite in the pantry — USDA’s 18–24 months once opened is a quality mark rather than an expiry, so keep it airtight and stop watching it.
Pantry, opened
How long does it keep?
| Pantry | Indefinitely |
|---|---|
| Pantry, opened | 18–24 months |
- Pantry: Sugar never spoils, but for best quality use within 2 years of opening.
Can it sit out?
Granulated sugar is shelf-stable, so sitting out at room temperature isn’t the safety question — storage time is.
How to tell if granulated sugar has gone bad
- Ants, moths, or webbing in the canister
- A solid, damp-set block instead of loose crystals
- Any smell at all — clean sugar has none
When in doubt, throw it out.
Decant into a sealed canister rather than leaving it in the paper bag — sugar pulls in moisture and odors from everything around it.
Quick answers
How long does granulated sugar last in the pantry?
Granulated sugar is indefinite in the pantry — USDA’s 18–24 months once opened is a quality mark rather than an expiry, so keep it airtight and stop watching it.
How long can granulated sugar sit out?
Sitting out at room temperature isn’t the safety question for granulated sugar — storage time is.