Experts Say to Store Nuts in the Freezer

Nuts are a superfood. Almonds are bursting with fiber, pistachios are full of potassium, walnuts are rife with omega-3 fatty acids, and all are great sources of protein. Whether you’re baking them into pies or blending them into butters, odds are good that you have a few bags stashed in your pantry. 

But what you might not realize is that the pantry isn’t the best place for them. All nuts have a high content of natural oils, which makes them susceptible to spoilage. When I worked in the Food & Wine test kitchen, we bought bags large enough to feed a small army and stored them in the walk-in freezer to prevent them from going rancid. It’s a habit I’ve taken with me to California because nuts are expensive, and the last thing I want to do is let them go to waste. 

It recently occurred to me that I adopted this practice with very little research. Curious if this is actually the right way to store nuts, I posed the question to experts. Unsurprisingly, they all agreed that the freezer is optimal for nuts’ longevity, but they added that they should be stored in airtight food storage containers to further restrict airflow. Armed with this new storage tip, I rounded up a few of their favorite picks, including Stasher bags and glass Rubbermaid Brilliance containers. 

Expert-Approved Nut Storage Containers      

Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Round Storage Containers, Set of 3 

Recipe Developer Paula Montenegro says that “freezing is the best storage option for long-term freshness, and they can be used directly, without thawing. Second best is refrigerating them in airtight glass containers.” Whether you’re using the former appliance or the latter, Montenegro suggests buying a set of Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage Containers. She likes that they’re “sturdy, but not heavy” and available in a range of sizes and shapes.   

Stasher 28-Ounce Silicone Storage Bag 

Shawna Clark from Healthy Foodie Girl uses Stasher’s reusable storage bags because “they’re airtight, freezer-safe, and made from high-quality, food-grade silicone with no BPA, BPS, lead, latex, or phthalates.” She loves that the “airtight seal keeps moisture and odors out,” and that they take up less room in her freezer than rigid glass storage containers.   

Moladri 28-Ounce Glass Storage Container 

Since Chef-in-Residence Robert Dahl from California Walnuts goes through walnuts so quickly, he stores them in his refrigerator. “Heat and humidity can cause the heart-healthy fats in walnuts to break down, leading to rancidity. Storing walnuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator will not only keep them crisp and flavorful, but also make them easy to spot and incorporate into your daily cooking, baking, and creating of new dishes for your friends and family,” wrote Dahl. He also appreciates that the Moladri container protects from air, moisture, and odors. While his answer primarily concerned walnuts, his recommendation can be applied to almonds, pecans, and more.   

OXO Good Grips Pop Containers, Set of 10 

Pastry Chef Emily Laurae Carter prefers to store nuts in the freezer or refrigerator when possible, but she recognizes that not everyone has the space to do so. If this applies to you, she says the pantry is okay so long as you use “truly airtight” containers, like OXO Pop. Stored in a dark, dry space, they will prolong the shelf life of your nuts, but not indefinitely. If you don’t need this large set of 10, they’re also sold as single containers or in packs of three.