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Home » How to Store Nuts and Seeds

How to Store Nuts and Seeds

by Adrienne 73 Comments Published March 7, 2011 Updated: Jan 24, 2020

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How to Store Almonds

Have you been wondering how to store nuts and seeds?

Once each year I organize a raw almond buy that also includes other nuts, seeds and health products.  Since during the almond harvest is the only time in the U.S. when one can purchase truly raw almonds before the government pasteurizes them (did you know that some are pasteurized using PPO, which is a fuel?), we buy enough to last us the whole year, and so we need to store them properly so that they last the entire year.

Whether or not you purchase raw almonds only once per year, buying in bulk can save your family a lot of money and trips to the store.  I almost never go shopping at the grocery store because I have almost everything that I need on hand at anytime.  And with the price of gas being what it is today, the savings really add up!

In a nutshell (pun intended :-)), you can store your seeds and nuts:

  • at room temperature for at least 3 months
  • in the refrigerator for up to 6 months
  • and in the freezer for a year or more

However, I have also heard of others storing nuts in the refrigerator for one year with no problems whatsoever.  I know that our crop from the past year was stored partially in the fridge and partially in the freezer and they did not go rancid.  One person who purchased almonds with our group buy told me that she had them stored at room temperature for a whole year and that they still tasted fine.

One thing to think about is that some nutrients may deteriorate in the freezer, particularly vitamin E.  However, I am much more concerned about getting my almonds raw than about whether or not they lose some vitamin E in storage.  So I am opting to store what I can in the fridge and the rest will go in the freezer.

Now, like all other busy people, I like to keep things simple and workable, so the following steps are just like those I outlined in my post on storing prepared beans.

Here are the basics of my nut and seed storage "system":

  1. Purchase raw seeds and nuts in bulk to save money.
  2. Transfer nuts and seeds to sturdy plastic bags (I purchase 6 x 3 x 15 inch 2 mm thick plastic bread bags from Country Life Natural Foods.  The same size bread bags are available on Amazon, but I have not tested them.).
  3. Secure bags with a Twixit Clip.
  4. Store in fridge or freezer until it is time to soak and dehydrate.
  5. After dehydrating, put nuts or seeds back in original bag, seal with clip and store in fridge or in a nice glass or plastic container for easy munching access!

How to Store Almonds, Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds and Walnuts

You can, of course, choose to store your nuts in glass or plastic containers at room temperature.  Some people like to store them in canning jars for an old fashioned pantry look.

So, that's it!  Now you too can take advantage of the money-saving possibilities of purchasing nuts and seeds in bulk and store them safely!

For more bulk food storage tips check out my posts on:

  • How to Store Prepared Beans
  • How and Why to Dehydrate (Saving Money)- Part 1
  • How and Why to Dehydrate (Saving Time and Space) - Part 2

Do you have any other bulk food storage questions?

This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission.

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About Adrienne

Adrienne Urban is the Founder and Owner of Whole New Mom. She has a background in research, journalism, insurance, employee benefits, financial markets, frugal living, and nutrition. Seeking a better life for herself and her family, she uses research and consults with many physicians and other practitioners to find solutions to the variety of issues they have dealt with including life-threatening food allergies and thyroid and adrenal concerns. WholeNewMom.com is the result of her experiences and knowledge gained throughout the process. Posts are reviewed and verified by the Whole New Mom team.

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  1. Betty

    June 04, 2018 at 12:56 am

    Where and when can I purchase truly raw almonds in bulk? (As you mentioned in this article)

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      June 04, 2018 at 2:34 pm

      Hi Betty - it's a hard thing. I did a group buy for awhile but this past year I worked with someone local to me.

      Reply
  2. Char

    April 03, 2018 at 1:20 pm

    Adrienne, I apologize if you've discussed this and I'm missing it, but is it possible/beneficial to soak/sprout raw nut flours? Or does this only work when the nut is whole... I assume grinding them into flour must heat them some?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      April 03, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      Hi there. I haven't discussed that unless it's in a comment somewhere. I would think that if you are concerned about the anti-nutrients it doesn't make sense b/c most of those are in the skin and typically almond flour is made from skinned almonds. Hope that helps!

      Reply
      • Char

        April 04, 2018 at 4:52 am

        Thank you, Adrienne! Yes, I was mostly thinking of the anti-nutrients so that's good to know.

        Reply
        • Adrienne

          April 04, 2018 at 8:04 am

          You are welcome!

          Reply
  3. Gage

    August 02, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Would love to know where you get the non pasteurized nuts or an idea of how to find them. Amazon? Thanks

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      August 02, 2017 at 9:04 pm

      Anything labeled raw should technically be OK. Hope that helps!

      Reply
      • marion mulrooney

        August 06, 2017 at 1:55 pm

        not true ...I saw raw almonds at health food store and with a closer look , it stated pastuerized

        Reply
        • Adrienne

          August 06, 2017 at 2:04 pm

          I said that that is how it should be - they must be mislabeling. Not good :(. Or they mean "raw" as in "not roasted".

          Reply
          • PaleoLisa

            October 30, 2017 at 1:50 pm

            The US government will not allow the sale of completely raw almonds. They require that the nuts be pasteurized. However, you can buy unpasteurized raw almonds from a company outside the US.

            Reply
            • Adrienne

              October 30, 2017 at 2:38 pm

              Right.

              Reply
    • Bets

      September 28, 2017 at 9:16 am

      I've shopped at a site called Organic Almonds.They have non-pasteurized Walnuts and Almonds

      Reply
  4. Stephen Ansah

    July 18, 2017 at 5:51 am

    I want to learn how preserve vegetables, can you help me to do that.

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      July 19, 2017 at 7:25 am

      Depends how you want to do that. Canning, dehydrating, or freezing. https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/which-costs-the-least-dehydrating-freezing-or-canning/

      Reply
  5. gerard

    January 29, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    Hi,
    Love your site!

    Question:
    How long will ground raw nuts and dried fruit last in high temp and high humidity?
    My wife and I will be trekking in a climate with 90 degree temps and90 degree humidity.
    We have have organic raw nut, seed and dried fruit trail mix but recently learned our digestive systems don't like these items as much as we do! If I grind our trail mix in a vitamix will the trailmix spoil?
    Our trek will be 12 days, travel time 4 days, for a total of 16 days w/out refrigeration.

    Jus'askin!

    GB

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      January 29, 2017 at 11:39 pm

      Hi there. Sorry but I don't know the answer to this. Nuts in the shell will for sure last longer than anything outside of the shell. Maybe you can check on a site / board that talks about travel to such countries?

      Reply
  6. Karen

    October 18, 2016 at 9:58 am

    We buy raw almonds in a can. We were told it is best to turn the cans upside down when we put them in our pantry. What is the point of turning the can upside down?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      October 18, 2016 at 6:01 pm

      I have never heard that. Sorry!

      Reply
  7. PamT

    April 28, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    Is this still true about the PPO pasteurization? The article is quite old and I wondered if anything new has happened since the writing of that information.

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      April 28, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      I have called companies fairly recently and they confirmed that their almonds have PPO on them.

      Reply
  8. Debbie

    February 21, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    Sometimes I go to the trouble of soaking nuts in order to make cheez. I run out of time and stick them in the fridge after draining them. And forget them. Uff da. How long will soaked, drained nuts (usually cashews and almonds) remain good in the refrigerator after soaking and draining for the purpose of making vegan cheez?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      February 21, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      Oh boy - I have no idea but I think they would feel slimy / smell off. Possibly you could rinse them and use them if it hasn't been that long but I'm not willing to say for sure.

      Reply
    • Bets

      September 28, 2017 at 9:18 am

      I have read that soaked nuts should be used within a week. But I am not an expert on that.

      Reply
  9. Jane

    January 22, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    Would it be better to soak and dehydrate the nuts/seeds and THEN put them in an air tight container and in the freezer? Or would it be better to put the nuts/seeds into an airtight container in the freezer THEN when you need some, take them out of the freezer and then soak and dehydrate them? Would one way be better than the other to preserve the nuts for a longer time?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      January 22, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      I'm not sure - I think both are a good way to store but perhaps storing raw and soaking and dehydrating later is better.

      Reply
  10. Sirche

    September 04, 2015 at 11:01 pm

    For how long can you store nuts/seeds after they are soak and dehydrated? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      September 05, 2015 at 10:00 am

      It's the same storage rules as for raw nuts. A short time at room temp and longer in the fridge or freezer.

      Reply
    • Bets

      September 28, 2017 at 9:22 am

      Why freeze if you have dehydrated? But soaking & dehydrating is not necessary before freezing.
      I put mine in mason jars (sealed with my Food Saver). Some in refrig & some in Freezer.
      When I dehydrate anything, it is put in mason jars & sealed then stored on my long term shelf - which is covered with cloth to keep the light out.

      Reply
  11. Niki

    July 29, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    After dehydrating the soaked almonds, ... How long can it be kept in room temperature in a plastic container?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      July 29, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      I can't really make shelf life claims, and it would depend on the age of your almonds. They typically don't keep that long at room temp, however. https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/how-to-store-nuts-and-seeds-2/

      Reply
  12. Taylor

    July 15, 2015 at 10:57 am

    How long will the nuts and seeds last once they are soaked and dehydrated?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      July 15, 2015 at 11:24 am

      That all depends on where you store them. Room temp - not that long. Fridge or freezer would be longer. I can't make shelf life claims but I find mine keep well in the freezer. Thanks!

      Reply
  13. parker

    May 16, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    Hi
    I had a question about storing the sprouted nuts and seeds after dehydration.
    I read what you said on how to do it. On all the other sites I've looked at they say to store in refrigerator to reduce bacteria and use in short period of time. When i did this they got moist again even in a tight glass jar and lid. Also I've seen sprouted nuts/ seeds at whole foods in the bulk bins .
    I'm wondering how to know if the seeds/ nuts will be OK to store unrefrigerated and not have problems with bacteria

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      May 17, 2015 at 9:42 am

      Mine stored in the plastic bags didn't seem to get moist at all so I am not sure - maybe try a food saver? I think I have friends who have used the Food Savers at room temp but I haven't found out how to do that.

      Reply
  14. Saniel

    April 14, 2014 at 10:22 am

    How do I purchase and how much? What date is best to pick.

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      April 14, 2014 at 10:30 am

      I'm not sure what you mean.

      Reply
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adrienne author of whole new mom blog

Welcome! I'm Adrienne, and I'm here to show you that Healthy Living Doesn't Have to Be Hard! Here, you'll find basically everything you need to make healthy living doable--healthy & easy flexible recipes, tips for clean beauty and a natural home, essential oils, beginner gardening tips, and more. Learn more about me here.

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