Pistachios are not exactly the cheapest nut on the market, so if you buy a large bag, you want to be sure you can enjoy every last nut before they go bad.
Can you freeze pistachios? Yes, you can freeze pistachios for 1-2 years. You will need to transfer your pistachios to a freezer-safe container with an airtight seal and ensure they are kept carefully protected from air exposure to maintain the best quality and freshness.
This article will walk you step-by-step through the process of freezing your pistachios, in and out of their shell, as well as sharing a few other options for storing pistachios to keep them fresh as long as possible.
Can You Freeze Pistachios in the Shell?
We have more good news. Yes, you can freeze pistachios in the shell. In fact, if you buy them in the shell this is the best way to freeze them because they will last longer.
Shelled pistachios will stay fresh in your freezer for up to 1 year, if properly stored, whereas pistachios still in their shell can stay fresh for up to 2 years.
How To Freeze Pistachios
Freezing pistachios is quite simple. You can freeze them inside their shell, as previously mentioned, for the longest storage, but they will also keep very well if they are already shelled.
The best way to store your pistachios in the freezer is to use a freezer-safe storage container, preferably glass. Pistachios have a tendency to dry out and also to inherit surrounding flavors.
A glass container will offer the best protection against both of these freezer pitfalls.Make sure the container has a tight seal to protect your pistachios from air and moisture.
It’s always a good idea to label your container with the date your pistachios were frozen so that you know how long you have left to eat them.
When you’re ready to enjoy your pistachios, take them out of your freezer and let them thaw in your fridge overnight without opening the container.
You want to leave the container fully sealed until the nuts have defrosted completely to prevent any moisture from collecting on the nut. Moisture could make it too chewy or soft, and leave it susceptible to mold.
Alternative Ways to Store Pistachios
If you want your pistachios easier to access, they will stay fresh for up to 3 months if they’re refrigerated. Whether or not they are shelled, they will need to be in a container that seals with a very reliable air-tight seal.
Pistachios can dry out quite easily and the air in your fridge is much dryer than the air in the rest of your home.
So if pistachios are exposed, not only will they pick up the flavors in your fridge, but they’ll also lose all their moisture. Instead of being sweet and nutty with the perfect amount of chew, they’ll be odd flavored crunchy bits.
Again, glass containers will provide the best protection in your fridge, but any airtight container should be sufficient.
If you’ve purchased a sealed bag of pistachios, it will stay fresh in a cool, dark pantry for up to 3 months – or the best-before date stamped on the bag, as long as it is not opened.
Can Pistachios Go Bad?
Yes, all tree nuts can and will go rancid if they’re not stored properly. If your pistachios are in their shell they will last longer, because their shell provides some natural protection from the elements.
Pistachios are low in polyunsaturated fat, which makes them less likely to go bad, but you’ll still want to store them carefully because, even if they don’t go rancid, they can go stale.
If your pistachios go stale, try toasting your nuts at medium temperature in a skillet on your stove, and stir frequently. Toasting will release some of the oils and bring out a new, roasted flavor.
How To Tell if Pistachios Are Bad
The most obvious signs that your pistachios have gone bad are a bad smell, bugs in your bag, or really hard, shriveled pistachio nuts.
If there are no visible or odorous signs and you have stored your pistachios carefully, you should be safe to eat them and enjoy without risk. Although, it is still possible that you may come across the odd nut that has gone slightly rancid.
If you eat a nut that has a sour tang to it, don’t panic. It is unlikely to make you sick, and one bad nut does not mean the whole bunch has gone off.
Conclusion – Can you Freeze Pistachios?
Luckily, you can freeze pistachios. If you’re trying to save some for a later date, this is the best way to seal in their freshness for as long as possible. There are no special techniques for freezing pistachios, and you can freeze them both in their shell and previously shelled.
The only thing you need to be careful of is making sure that you transfer your pistachios into an air-tight, freezer-safe storage container that will protect them from the dry air, as well as exposure to moisture and nearby odors and flavors.
And there you have it! Easy frozen storage of your favorite nut.
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